Why Ravens Are Among Offseason's Biggest Winners
The Ravens haven't made a bunch of splashy moves this offseason, choosing instead to make sound personnel decisions to remain a Super Bowl contender both this season and in the future.
That approach led Mike Golic Jr. of FanDuel Sports Network to name the Ravens one of the biggest winners of the offseason during his appearance on ESPN's Mina Kimes' podcast.
Golic specifically praised the re-signing of left tackle Ronnie Stanley, contract extensions for running back Derrick Henry and wide receiver Rashod Bateman, and drafting safety Malaki Starks in the first round.
"Them getting Ronnie Stanley back in a Ravens uniform for this year was paramount," Golic said. "I didn't know we'd get this borderline-All-Pro version of Ronnie Stanley after the ankle injury, and last year he was that guy. You pair that with [extending] Derrick Henry and Rashod Bateman, and drafting Malaki Starks in the back end, that codifies what we saw work at the end of last year when the Ravens defense was able to flip the script.
"For a contender relative to Kansas City, Buffalo, these other teams in their tax bracket, it really feels like they hit this out of the park."
Kimes agreed and was especially complimentary of the Ravens signing Bateman to a three-year extension reportedly worth $36.75 million after the 2021 first-round pick's breakout season.
"Super-reasonable deal with a guy who was really efficient last season," Kimes said. "He has such a distinct role in this Ravens offense. He's their X receiver. Rashod Bateman had 32 targets where he was the isolated receiver; no one else on the Ravens had more than five."
In addition to the aforementioned moves, the Ravens made savvy free-agent additions such as five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, cornerback Chidobe Awuzie, defensive tackle John Jenkins, offensive tackle Joseph Noteboom, and backup quarterback Cooper Rush.
Baltimore also has a strong, 11-player draft class headlined by Starks and second-round edge rusher Mike Green.
Three members of the 2025 draft class, an undrafted rookie, and a veteran wide receiver were among the Ravens' standouts during OTAs.
RB Keaton Mitchell
Mitchell said he was fully recovered from the major knee injury he suffered as a rookie in 2023. He made sharp cuts without hesitation and showed breakaway speed when bouncing outside.
WR DeAndre Hopkins
Hopkins and Lamar Jackson clicked during their only OTA practice together, with Hopkins running precise routes and making several impressive sideline catches. Hopkins' talent and experience made his adjustment to Baltimore's offense look seamless.
WR Anthony Miller
After catching four passes in Baltimore's two playoff games while Zay Flowers was sidelined, Miller picked up where he left off. He made a spectacular diving catch on Tuesday and followed with a strong Wednesday practice.
OLB Adisa Isaac
After an injury-plagued rookie season, Isaac reported with a chiseled look after putting in the work to avoid more hamstring issues. Isaac showed a skill set that could add depth to Baltimore's pass rush group this fall.
G Ben Cleveland
Cleveland is competing with Andrew Vorhees for the starting job at left guard, and the coaching staff wants someone to clearly win the job. That makes it another crucial summer for Cleveland, now in his fifth year with Baltimore.
OLB Mike Green
Green, who led the FBS in sacks at Marshall, had an interception Tuesday after dropping into coverage. The second-round pick was praised by coaches for his effort and showed his versatility and athleticism.
OLB Odafe Oweh
A more muscular Oweh has added 20 pounds since last season, which should help his pass rushing once the pads come on. Coming off a 10-sack campaign, Oweh reported to OTAs in great shape and clearly hungry for more.
S Malaki Starks
Showing leadership both on and off the field, Starks made plays and carried himself like a vet during OTAs. Starks looked very steady handling the high expectations that come with being a first-round pick.
WR LaJohntay Wester
Wester fielded punts cleanly as he began working to secure the No. 1 punt returner role. At wide receiver, Wester ran crisp routes and showed potential to take his playmaking ability to the NFL level.
WR Devontez Walker
The second-year wide receiver ran decisive routes and gained separation on a regular basis. Walker's obvious improvement made a very talented wide receiver group look even stronger.
CB Reuben Lowery
An undrafted rookie from Tennessee-Chattanooga, Lowery had interceptions on back-to-back days last week. Lowery is a long shot to make the 53-man roster, but he drew attention with his playmaking.
ILB Roquan Smith
Smith was at every OTA session, which speaks to his commitment and leadership. Calling out signals and directing his teammates in the middle of the defense, Smith appeared to be setting the table for another All-Pro year.
S Sanoussi Kane
Kane had a stellar practice Tuesday, making an interception and breaking up a pass intended for Isaiah Likely. With the No. 3 safety job open, Kane took a step towards claiming it.
CB T.J. Tampa
Healthy after being hampered by injuries as a rookie, Tampa put strong practices together and had an acrobatic interception on Monday. Tampa looked determined to earn more playing time in the cornerback rotation.
CB Nate Wiggins
Wiggins returned 10 pounds heavier after his strong rookie season and was just as sticky in coverage. He had an interception during the second week of OTAs and said his goal was to force at least 10 turnovers in 2025.
Jeff Zrebiec Looks at Ravens' Intriguing Roster Decisions
With the Ravens starting mandatory minicamp today, The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec identified some of the more intriguing roster decisions the team will have to make later this summer.
Here's a look at three, along with Zrebiec's assessments:
Starting left guard
The competitors: Ben Cleveland, Andrew Vorhees
The favorite: Vorhees
"The Ravens could have other younger linemen emerge as options, but it would be surprising if the Week 1 starter isn't Vorhees. He started the opener last year before ultimately losing his job, partly due to an ankle injury. Given another opportunity in Week 18 against the Cleveland Browns, Vorhees looked like a different player, which was an encouraging sign for the team's decision-makers."
Fifth outside linebacker
The competitors: Malik Hamm, Adisa Isaac, David Ojabo
The favorite: Isaac
"It seems highly unlikely that they'd move on this early from Isaac, a third-round pick last year who barely played as a rookie because of injuries. Coach John Harbaugh spoke excitedly about him last week. That would leave Ojabo, a second-round pick in 2022 who has struggled to find his NFL footing, and Hamm, a local product who has stuck around the past two years, on the outside looking in."
Third, fourth cornerbacks
The competitors: Jalyn Armour-Davis, Chidobe Awuzie, Bilhal Kone, Robert Longerbeam, T.J. Tampa
The favorites: Awuzie, Tampa
"Awuzie played just eight games last year for the Tennessee Titans. The Ravens faced him for years in Cincinnati and have a lot of respect for his game. He was signed with the No. 3 cornerback role in mind. Tampa, though, is a guy the team is high on. The 2024 fourth-round pick barely got on the field because of injuries during his rookie season, but the Ravens love his size and length and expect him to contribute defensively this year."
Odafe Oweh Named Ravens' Most Likely First-Time Pro Bowler
The Ravens had a league-high nine Pro Bowlers last season and typically are among the leaders in players who receive the honor.
Outside linebacker Odafe Oweh has yet to make the Pro Bowl, but that could change this season. Russell Street Report's Frank Platko named Oweh, who added 20 pounds of muscle this offseason, the Raven most likely to be a first-time Pro Bowler in 2025.
"Oweh has been billed as a potential breakout player for the past several seasons," Platko wrote. "Last year, the former first-round pick had the most productive year of his career to-date. In his fourth season, Oweh crossed the double-digit sack threshold (10, while recording 23 quarterback hits, 12 quarterback knockdowns, and 28 pressures) – all of which were career-best totals. … Oweh seems primed to be next in line and build upon his performance in 2024 with even more production this coming season."
Platko acknowledged that the AFC is loaded with top-tier edge rushers, including the Cleveland Browns' Myles Garrett, Las Vegas Raiders' Maxx Crosby, Pittsburgh Steelers' T.J. Watt, and Cincinnati Bengals' Trey Hendrickson.
"However, with Watt and Hendrickson currently dealing with contract disputes, there's a possibility of a larger window opening for Oweh to emerge through," Platko wrote. "Even if the AFC is at full strength with all its premier defensive ends playing a full season, the recipe for Oweh to earn his first Pro Bowl nod is still there: another career-best statistical campaign with a few signature moments for one of the league's best defenses."
Ebony Bird’s Connor Burke also believes Oweh is poised to earn his first Pro Bowl nod this season.
"There is a long history of pass rushers breaking out in their contract years with Baltimore," Burke wrote. "Outside linebacker Matthew Judon finished his Ravens career with back-to-back Pro Bowls before signing a rich contract with the New England Patriots, where he became one [of] the league's most feared edge rushers. Za'Darius Smith totaled 8.5 sacks in his final campaign with Baltimore, which led to two straight Pro Bowls and 26 sacks over those two years with the Green Bay Packers. If history repeats itself, 2025 will likely lead to a Pro Bowl nod for the 26-year-old Oweh."
