Baltimore rode the excitement from the reported mega trade for Maxx Crosby over the weekend.
Monday brought a different vibe as free agency's legal tampering period opened and the rest of the league put a premium on Baltimore's free agents.
Seven players reportedly agreed to deals elsewhere:
- C Tyler Linderbaum (Raiders)
- TE Isaiah Likely (Giants)
- TE Charlie Kolar (Chargers)
- DE/OLB Dre'Mont Jones (Patriots)
- S Alohi Gilman (Chiefs)
- S Ar'Darius Washington (Giants)
- P Jordan Stout (Giants)
Departures were expected, but the Ravens reportedly made strong pushes for Linderbaum and some others who left.
Here's where Baltimore's needs stand now after Day 1 of free agency:
Interior offensive line
The Ravens did make an addition Monday, reportedly agreeing to terms with John Simpson on a three-year, $30 million deal. That helps improve the guard lineup heading into 2026, as the Ravens could shift Emery Jones Jr. and Andrew Vorhees into a right guard competition.
However, the loss of Linderbaum creates a major hole at center. As far as in-house options, the Ravens could turn to Corey Bullock, a former undrafted free agent who impressed so much last summer that he made the 53-man roster and served as Linderbaum's trusted backup. It would be a big step up for Bullock, but Matt Skura pulled it off in to become a solid Ravens starter for multiple years.
Baltimore could look to the draft, where Auburn's Connor Lew, Florida's Jake Slaughter, Kansas State's Sam Hecht, and another Iowa product, Logan Jones, are some of the top center prospects. Centers typically aren't drafted high, so the Ravens could grab one of the best in the second or third rounds.
The Ravens could also explore the veteran market. The Packers released two-time Pro Bowler Elgton Jenkins, and other options include Lloyd Cushenberry, James Daniels, Graham Glasgow, and Ethan Pocic.
Here's who the Ravens could consider adding at center and guard in free agency.
C/G Graham Glasgow
The Lions released Glasgow this week on a cost-saving move. He stepped into the starting job last season to replace retiring Pro Bowler Frank Ragnow and held his own. His best season was in 2023, however, as a starting guard.
C Ethan Pocic
Pocic has been the Browns' center for the past four seasons and has done a solid job. He is a very tall center at 6-foot-6. His Pro Football grades have dipped the past two seasons.
G Joel Bitonio
At 34 years old, Bitonio was still one of the league's best guards last season. The seven-time Pro Bowler posted the league's sixth-best pass blocking win rate among interior offensive linemen (96%). He's spent his entire 12-year career in Cleveland but could land in a fresh city.
G Kevin Zeitler
Zeitler spent three seasons as a highly-respected Raven, but the team moved on from him following the 2023 campaign. Zeitler answered with back-to-back solid campaigns in which he played 16 games in each. He posted the 15th-best PFF grade among starting interior blockers last season. Could he have a reunion at age 36?
G Daniel Faalele
A two-year starter in Baltimore, the hulking Faalele had his share of ups and downs. There were too many quick losses last season, which caused some of the Ravens' offensive inconsistencies, but teams may still see a high ceiling for the hulking and durable converted tackle.
G Mekhi Becton
The former 11th-overall pick converted from tackle to guard and helped the Eagles win a Super Bowl. That made Becton a prized free-agent signing for the Los Angeles Chargers last offseason, but he answered with an injury-plagued and rocky season in which he was one of the league's lowest-graded blockers. Becton was released in a cost-cutting move before free agency.
G Dylan Parham
Playing for a Raiders team that struggled last season, Parham had the NFL's 19th-best interior pass block win rate (95%) last season. A former third-round pick, Parham is a 26-year-old four-year starter.
Safety
The Ravens have their starters in Kyle Hamilton and Malaki Starks, but they need a third safety to allow Hamilton to play all over the defense.
Gilman's midseason arrival last season showed the importance of having another steady force in the deep secondary. He played 98% of the Ravens' defensive snaps.
It's more likely that Baltimore goes with a veteran at this spot since they need a plug-and-play solution. Some of the top free agent options include Jaquan Brisker, Kyle Dugger, Andre Cisco, Kevin Byard, Geno Stone, and Xavier Woods. Could there be a Baltimore reunion with Head Coach Jesse Minter and Tony Jefferson?
Here's who the Ravens could add as a depth piece to their secondary.
Donovan Wilson
2025 stats: 15 games, 71 tackles, 5 passes defensed, 2 interceptions
Harrison Smith
2025 stats: 15 games, 54 tackles, 10 passes defensed, 2 interceptions
Kyle Dugger
2025 stats: 16 games, 59 tackles, five passes defensed, 2 interceptions
Tony Jefferson
2025 stats: 13 games, 57 tackles, 7 passes defensed, 4 interceptions
Xavier Woods
2025 stats: 11 games, 39 tackles, 3 passes defensed, 2 interceptions
Ifeatu Melifonwu
2025 stats: 16 games, 53 tackles, 1 pass defensed, 1 interception
Marcus Epps
2025 stats: 12 games, 21 tackles, 0 passes defensed, 0 interceptions
Isaiah Oliver
2025 stats: 14 games, 55 tackles, 3 passes defensed, 0 interceptions
Tight End
Baltimore was facing a complete tight end rebuild in 2025 with Mark Andrews, Likely, and Kolar all in the final years of their contracts.
The Ravens were happy to get a three-year extension worked out with Andrews but will need to fill out the rest of the room.
Baltimore has double-dipped at tight end in the draft four times in franchise history with much success. The Ravens could do so again in 2026, with an intriguing class of primarily pass-catching tight ends.
It could also be a position where a veteran and rookies are added, as Chig Okonkwo, David Njoku, Jonnu Smith, Dallas Goedert, Darren Waller, and other tight ends are still available entering Day 2 of free agency.
Andrews is a do-it-all tight end, and the Ravens could use diversification at the position. Kolar was a valuable in-line blocker, while Likely was a versatile receiving weapon.
Here's who the Ravens could add in free agency to bolster their tight end room.
David Njoku
2025 stats: 33 receptions, 293 yards, 4 touchdowns
Njoku had his lowest output since 2020 as rookie Harold Fannin Jr. stepped into a playmaking role in the Browns' offense. Njoku has spent nine years in Cleveland and is ready for a change of scenery.
Darren Waller
2025 stats: 24 receptions, 283 yards, 6 touchdowns
Drafted by the Ravens in the sixth round in 2015, Waller was the one who got away after the Raiders plucked him off the Ravens' practice squad in 2018. He thrived in Las Vegas, topping 1,000 receiving yards and scoring nine touchdowns in 2020. He hasn't matched that production since, but Waller flashed his alluring talent last year after coming out of a one-year retirement to join the Dolphins.
Will Dissly
2025 stats: 11 receptions, 97 yards, 0 touchdowns
One year after inking a three-year contract with the Chargers last offseason, Dissly was released with a failed physical designation. Knee and shoulder injuries limited him to just nine games and the lowest output of his career.
Jonnu Smith
2025 stats: 38 receptions, 222 yards, 2 touchdowns
Smith's one season in Pittsburgh didn't pan out after being acquired via trade from Miami. He had a career-high 884 receiving yards for the Dolphins in 2024, but never found his stride in the Steelers' tight end mix.
Taysom Hill
2025 stats: Receiving: 11 receptions, 91 yards; Rushing: 52 carries, 114 yards, 1 touchdown; Passing: 6 attempts, 57 yards, 1 touchdown
Hill has spent nine years doing it all for the Saints, playing quarterback, tight end, wide receiver, running back, and special teams. Now he could be on the move for the first time in his career. The Ravens do value versatility, and nobody has more than Hill.
Zach Ertz
2025 stats: 50 receptions, 504 yards, 4 touchdowns
Ertz has remained productive and clutch into his mid-30s, but he's coming off a torn ACL injury suffered in December. He could remain on the market until healthy.
Wide Receiver
DeAndre Hopkins and Tylan Wallace are still available Ravens free agents.
Baltimore has its starters with Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman, and Devontez Walker flashed enough last season to potentially earn a larger role this summer.
The Ravens likely want more competition for the No. 3 receiver spot, and it remains to be seen whether they dip their toes into the veteran market again or pivot to the draft.
Free-agent wide receivers can be expensive, but a right-player-right-price addition could help fill the void. Some options include Marquise Brown, Christian Kirk, Keenan Allen, and others.
Here's who the Ravens could consider adding at wide receiver in free agency.
Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins
2025 stats: 21 receptions, 265 yards, 1 touchdown
Hill was released by the Miami Dolphins, making him one of the top available options. He's coming off a brutal knee injury and is now 32 years old, which will raise questions about how close he can get to returning to the form and speed that once made him one of the NFL's top receivers.
Jauan Jennings, San Francisco 49ers
2025 stats: 55 receptions, 643 yards, 9 touchdowns
Jennings went from a backup in his first three seasons to a breakout performer in San Francisco with nearly 1,000 receiving yards and six touchdowns in 2024. He scored another nine touchdowns last season and will be one of the market's most sought-after receivers.
Deebo Samuel, Washington Commanders
2025 stats: 72 receptions, 727 yards, 5 touchdowns
Samuel had a resurgent season in Washington in 2025 and is now looking for his third team in as many seasons. His yards per reception fell to a career-low 10.1, however.
DeAndre Hopkins, Baltimore Ravens
2025 stats: 22 receptions, 330 yards, 2 touchdowns
Hopkins' one season in Baltimore didn't boom as hoped, but he was still a contested catch monster. He'll turn 34 years old this summer.
Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers
2025 stats: 81 receptions, 777 yards, 4 touchdowns
Allen has been one of the league's preeminent wide receivers over his nine seasons, including eight with the Los Angeles Chargers. He has five 1,000-yard seasons under his belt and showed he's still productive last season, even at 33 years old.
Stefon Diggs
2025 stats: 17 games, 85 receptions, 1,013 yards, 4 touchdowns
Diggs will join his fourth team in four years after being the Patriots' top weapon en route to a Super Bowl appearance. Could the Gaithersburg native return to his home state of Maryland?
