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 Connor McGovern
McGovern has been the Bills' starting center for the past two seasons and is coming off a season with the fifth-best pass blocking win rate (97%) among all interior offensive linemen, per ESPN. Buffalo has had one of the best offensive lines in the NFL the past couple years, and McGovern has been the anchor in the middle.
C Tyler Linderbaum
A three-time Pro Bowler, Linderbaum has established himself as one of the best centers in the league and will be paid like it. The Ravens made Linderbaum a "market-setting" offer, but it remains to be seen how much over the market he commands.
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.
C Tyler Biadasz
The Commanders surprisingly released Biadasz when he had one year left on his contract. He's coming off a season in which he logged his highest PFF grade in six seasons. He's a five-year starter and was a Pro Bowler in 2022 with the Dallas Cowboys.
C Cade Mays
Mays was the Panthers' starting center the past two seasons and played guard before that. He's gone from a sixth-round pick to a solid starting offensive lineman with good size (6-foot-6, 325 pounds).
G David Edwards
Edwards is another key piece of the Bills' impressive offensive line, and he's coming off arguably his best season. Edwards had the league's 10th-best run block win rate (75%) among all interior linemen. He's just 28 years old and is a former Super Bowl winner with the Los Angeles Rams.
G Joe 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 Isaac Seumalo
Seumalo was the Steelers' best blocker last season with a pass blocking win rate of 97% that ranked third-best in the league among interior linemen. He also had the NFL's fourth-best run block win rate at 77%. The Ravens could snatch a rival's key free agent.
G Alijah Vera-Tucker
A former first-round pick (14th overall), Vera-Tucker is coming off a lost season due to a torn triceps suffered before Week 1. Injuries have been a problem, as he played in just 12 games during the 2022 and 2023 seasons (triceps and Achilles). When he's been healthy, he's been one of the best guards in the game, however.
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 Zion Johnson
Another former first-round pick (17th overall) in 2022, Johnson never blossomed in his four seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers and is now looking for a fresh start elsewhere. He's a Maryland (Bowie) native.
G Ed Ingram
Ingram was a strong run blocker last season, earning PFF's 11th-highest marks among all starting interior offensive linemen. However, his pass protection hasn't been a strong suit over his four NFL seasons.
G Wyatt Teller
Teller is another veteran Browns offensive lineman set to hit the market. A highly respected tough guy who can maul in the run game, Teller went to the Pro Bowl every year from 2021-2023 but has had more troubles the past couple seasons.
G John Simpson
Simpson emerged in Baltimore during the 2023 season and parlayed that into a lucrative free-agent deal with the New York Jets. He was a 17-game starter there the past two seasons and was the league's 14th-highest graded starting interior offensive lineman during the 2024 campaign.
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.
Coby Bryant
2025 stats: 15 games, 66 tackles, 7 passes defensed, 4 interceptions
A key player in the secondary for the Seahawks defense, Bryant has had seven interceptions in the last two seasons. A fourth-round pick in 2022, he immediately carved out a role and became a full-time starter this season.
Bryan Cook
2025 stats: 17 games, 85 tackles, 6 passes defensed, 0 interceptions
Cook had the fifth-highest Pro Football Grade among safeties in 2025 as a starter in the Kansas City secondary. The 6-foot-1, 206-pound Cook has started in every game he's played in over the last three seasons.
Jaquan Brisker
2025 stats: 17 games, 93 tackles, 8 passes defensed, 1 interception
Brisker was limited to five games in 2024 due to a concussion but returned in 2025 in full force. The former second-round pick out of Penn State tied for the second-most tackles on the Bears' defense to help the franchise win the NFC North title for the first time since 2018.
Kevin Byard
2025 stats: 17 games, 93 tackles, 8 passes defensed, 7 interceptions
Even at 32 years old, Byard continued to be one of the league's most dangerous defensive players in 2025. He led the league with seven interceptions, bringing his 10-year total to 36.
Jalen Thompson
2025 stats: 15 games, 95 tackles, 6 passes defensed, 0 interceptions
Thompson has been with the Cardinals for all seven seasons of his career, but could be on the move for the first time. He's been productive in those seven years and has had 95+ tackles in four of the last five seasons.
Jaylinn Hawkins
2025 stats: 15 games, 71 tackles, 6 passes defensed, 4 interceptions
Hawkins led the Patriots in interceptions in 2025, matching his total over the first six seasons. After starting his career as a fourth-round pick by the Falcons, Hawkins was traded to the Chargers for one season and spent the last two in New England.
Geno Stone
2025 stats: 17 games, 104 tackles, 4 passes defensed, 2 interceptions
Stone is set to hit the open market after spending two years in Cincinnati. A former seventh-round pick by the Ravens, Stone had a seven-interception season in his final year in Baltimore. Could the two sides seek a reunion?
Reed Blankenship
2025 stats: 16 games, 83 tackles, 4 passes defensed, 1 interception
Once an undrafted rookie, Blankenship could be among the most coveted safeties in free agency. A Middle Tennessee State product, Blankenship has been a critical piece of the Eagles' secondary for the past four seasons, including in 2023 when he led the team in tackles.
Donovan Wilson
2025 stats: 15 games, 71 tackles, 5 passes defensed, 2 interceptions
Wilson has been with the Cowboys since he was a sixth-round selection in 2019. At 31 years old, Wilson has 75 starts under his belt and will bring plenty of experience to wherever he signs.
Nick Cross
2025 stats: 17 games, 120 tackles, 5 passes defensed, 1 interception
Cross had the second-most tackles on the Colts the past two seasons. A third-round pick out of Maryland who went to DeMatha, Cross has been in Indianapolis for the first four seasons of his young career.
Kyle Dugger
2025 stats: 16 games, 59 tackles, five passes defensed, 2 interceptions
Traded from the Patriots to the Steelers at the deadline, Dugger could find himself in his third city in a matter of six months. He's a former early second-round pick who went from small-school Lenoir-Rhyne to the NFL.
Andrew Wingard
2025 stats: 16 games, 84 tackles, 9 passes defensed, 1 interception
Wingard has been with the Jaguars all seven years of his career. A versatile player who has played at both safety spots, Wingard has also been a special teams contributor.
Alohi Gilman
2025 stats: 17 games, 90 tackles, 9 passes defensed, 0 interceptions
Part of the trade that sent Odafe Oweh to the Chargers, Gilman came into Baltimore and immediately helped settle the defense alongside Malaki Starks and Kyle Hamilton. Jesse Minter has a history of deploying three-safety looks and knows Gilman well from their time with the Chargers together.
Ar'Darius Washington
2025 stats: 4 games, 7 tackles, 0 passes defensed, 0 interceptions
Washington made a miraculous return from an Achilles injury suffered in the spring, giving the Ravens more secondary depth. At 5-foot-8, 180 pounds, he's one of the shortest defensive backs on the market but also offers flexibility to play slot cornerback.
Tony Jefferson
2025 stats: 13 games, 57 tackles, 7 passes defensed, 4 interceptions
A name with ties to Baltimore as a former prized free-agent addition and ultimately a scout, Jefferson came out of retirement to play with the Chargers and Minter for the past two seasons. Jefferson just turned 34 but is coming off one of his best seasons and is eager to keep playing.
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.
Travis Kelce
2025 stats: 76 receptions, 851 yards, 5 touchdowns
Kelce could return to the Chiefs. He could also opt to retire at 36 years old. Kelce's days of putting up 1,000 receiving yards, as he did every year from 2016-2022, may be behind him, but he's still been productive. The three-time Super Bowl champion will wear a gold jacket someday.
Dallas Goedert
2025 stats: 60 receptions, 591 yards, 11 touchdowns
Goedert was a touchdown monster last season, scoring more touchdowns than he had in the previous three seasons combined. At 31 years old, Goedert still has more good years left, but will he be willing to leave Philadelphia?
Isaiah Likely
2025 stats: 27 receptions, 307 yards, 1 touchdown
The Ravens tried to get a deal done with Likely last season, but it didn't materialize. Even though his production dipped last season, he's still a super-talented player and just 25 years old. He could have a strong market outside of Baltimore.
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.
Cade Otton
2025 stats: 59 receptions, 572 yards, 1 touchdown
The 26-year-old Otton has been a consistent performer for the Bucs as a receiver, but he's gotten his highest grades for his blocking.
Chig Okonkwo
2025 stats: 56 receptions, 560 yards, 2 touchdowns
A University of Maryland product, Okonkwo has been on the preseason watch lists for years now. He hasn't yet had a breakout season, but he did post career highs in catches and yards last season. After spending four years with inconsistent quarterback play in Tennessee, Okonkwo could thrive elsewhere.
Charlie Kolar
2025 stats: 10 receptions, 142 yards, 2 touchdowns
Kolar has only made 30 catches over his four seasons in Baltimore, but he could still earn a strong payday due to the work he did building himself up as a blocker. Kolar was also very reliable as a receiver and has averaged a healthy 13.6 yards per reception.
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.
Noah Fant
2025 stats: 34 receptions, 288 yards, 3 touchdowns
Fant's 288 receiving yards with the Bengals last season were a career low. He also had a record-breaking three fumbles returned for touchdowns.
Austin Hooper
2025 stats: 21 receptions, 263 yards, 2 touchdowns
Hooper has bounced around in recent years from the Browns to the Titans, Raiders and Patriots. He hasn't posted more than 500 receiving yards since 2019 in Atlanta.
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.
Alec Pierce, Indianapolis Colts
2025 stats: 47 receptions, 1,003 yards, 6 touchdowns
Pierce had a breakout 2025 season with more than 1,000 receiving yards, showing he can be an elite deep threat. Just 25 years old, he could command the biggest payday among all free agent wide receivers.
Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2025 stats: 30 receptions, 368 yards, 3 touchdowns
Evans topped 1,000 receiving yards for 10 straight seasons to kick off his career. After injuries limited him to just eight games last season, the 32-year-old receiver is open to exploring playing somewhere other than Tampa Bay.
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.
Wan'Dale Robinson, New York Giants
2025 stats: 92 receptions, 1,014 yards, 4 touchdowns
Robinson became the New York Giants' leading receiver after Malik Nabers suffered a season-ending knee injury. Robinson carried the load, becoming the shortest player (5-foot-8) in NFL history to record a 1,000-yard season.
Rashid Shaheed, Seattle Seahawks
2025 stats: 59 receptions, 687 yards, 2 touchdowns
Shaheed helped the Seahawks win the Super Bowl after being acquired at the trade deadline. The speedster was a valuable deep threat but made some of his biggest contributions as a Pro Bowl kick and punt returner.
Romeo Doubs, Green Bay Packers
2025 stats: 55 receptions, 724 yards, 6 touchdowns
Doubs has been a consistently productive receiver in Green Bay. Over the past three seasons, he's averaged 666 yards and scored 18 touchdowns. He's still just 25 years old.
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.
Hollywood Brown, Kansas City Chiefs
2025 stats: 49 receptions, 587 yards, 5 touchdowns
The former Raven requested a trade following his 1,000-yard season in 2021 but hasn't had as much success without good friend Lamar Jackson. Brown spent two years in Arizona, then bounced to Kansas City for two years, but injuries hampered him. Could the speedster seek a reunion now with a more pass-oriented Ravens offense?
Jalen Nailor, Minnesota Vikings
2025 stats: 29 receptions, 444 yards, 4 touchdowns
Nailor scored 10 touchdowns the past two seasons as a No. 3 option in Minnesota, playing behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. Nailor could be in line for a bigger role elsewhere.
Calvin Austin III, Pittsburgh Steelers
2025 stats: 31 receptions, 372 yards, 3 touchdowns
Austin stepped into a bigger role last season in Pittsburgh but the production didn't follow, as he had 372 receiving yards on 31 catches. He did make some highlight reel catches, however, and the Ravens targeted him in the 2022 Draft.
Christian Kirk, Houston Texans
2025 stats: 28 receptions, 239 yards, 1 touchdown
Kirk was traded to the Texans before last season but didn't pan out, as a hamstring injury bothered him for much of the season, and he posted a career-low 279 receiving yards and just one touchdown. The 29-year-old veteran will look to return to his 2022 form when he was a 1,000-yard receiver in Jacksonville.
Tyquan Thornton, Kansas City Chiefs
2025 stats: 19 receptions, 438 yards, 3 touchdowns
Thornton had more receiving yards (438) last season than he had in his previous three years combined. He turned into a legitimate deep threat with 23.1 yards per catch, the highest mark in the NFL among receivers with at least 10 receptions.
Kendrick Bourne, San Francisco 49ers
2025 stats: 37 receptions, 551 yards
Previously undrafted in 2017, Bourne has become a consistent producer over his nine seasons. He posted 800 receiving yards in 2021 with New England, then had a bounce-back campaign last year back in San Francisco, where he got his start.
