Ravens Soar in Post-Frenzy Power Rankings
The new league year came in like a lion, as rosters around the NFL were altered over the past week by free agent signings and trades. With the frenzy subsided, NFL.com revisited its post-Super Bowl power rankings and reshuffled the deck.
No team moved up more than the Ravens, who ascended nine spots to No. 6. They are the only team in the top 13 that did not make the playoffs last season.
"Well, it's been nothing short of a fascinating start to the offseason for the Ravens, with the failed Maxx Crosby trade (and subsequent Trey Hendrickson signing) dominating the early news cycle in free agency," NFL.com’s Eric Edholm wrote. "Prior to that, the Ravens lost a slew of players in free agency, including Pro Bowl C Tyler Linderbaum, who has clearly been their best offensive lineman in the past few years, especially in the run game.
"I'm still chewing on everything they've done and had done to them so far. Right now, it's OK, even if I think it's pretty clear that Baltimore's roster isn't in as good of shape, top to bottom, as it was a few years ago. That said, it's still a roster that should produce a serious contender in 2026. And like I said in the intro, this is a grand reshuffling with an eye toward next fall, thus explaining the Ravens' rise in this rundown."
The five teams ranked ahead of the Ravens were (in order): the Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams, Denver Broncos, Buffalo Bills, and San Francisco 49ers.
The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue also took stock of where each team stands and divided them into seven tiers based on what their free-agency strategy so far says about their broader team-building approach.
The Ravens landed in the second-highest tier ("confident and playoff likely but with stakes"), which consisted of teams that "are very talented but have at least one major difference from a 'win-now' team."
"While the league at large viewed the initial trade agreement for Maxx Crosby as an overpay, I saw it as a statement from [General Manager] Eric DeCosta and Co. that these were not going to be the 'just good enough' Ravens anymore," Rodrigue wrote. "Then they rescinded the trade and signed a good pass rusher in Trey Hendrickson, but injuries and age are real questions there.
"Meanwhile, in an era during which Lamar Jackson's prime must be maximized (not Maxx-imized, apparently), I still have questions about his group of skill players, the offensive line and the longer-term outlook of the running backs room. DeCosta will likely return to his pattern of being active in the later waves of free agency after beginning the period flying on the surface of the sun."
The four teams in the "win-now tier" were the Broncos, Rams, 49ers, and Seahawks. The Ravens were joined in the second tier by the Bills, Los Angeles Chargers, and Philadelphia Eagles.
Ravens Get Good Grades for Offseason Moves
Several pundits handed out offseason grades for each team after the first week of free agency. Here's a look at the Ravens fared:
Pro Football Focus’ Gordon McGuinness: "Grade: B+. After their deal for Maxx Crosby broke down, the Ravens land the top free agent on the PFF board in edge defender Trey Hendrickson. The former Bengals standout has earned a 90.0-plus PFF pass-rush grade in three straight seasons, pairing that with a PFF pass-rush win rate of 20.0% or higher. The Ravens' best edge defender in 2025 earned a 69.6 PFF pass-rush grade and produced a 12.9% PFF pass-rush win rate."
CBS Sports’ Garrett Podell: "Grade: B-. Baltimore still has plenty of needs to address, but at least they have a first-round pick once again after the voided Crosby trade. If they can get two-time Pro Bowl defensive linemen Nnamdi Madubuike to return after suffering a season-ending neck injury, the Ravens offseason grade would certainly climb."
A to Z Sports’ Kyle Crabbs: "Grade: C. I think Baltimore did well for themselves attacking the pass rusher issue. Is it enough to offset the loss of Linderbaum, Isaiah Likely, Charlie Kolar, Patrick Ricard, Alohi Gilman, Ar'Darius Washington, and Keaton Mitchell?? That probably depends on how well DeCosta drafts next month. Go get 'em, Eric."
Mel Kiper Jr. Mocks Versatile Offensive Lineman to Ravens
ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. has the Ravens addressing their biggest need in his third mock draft.
Kiper had the Ravens taking a wide receiver in his first two mocks, but this time he has them selecting versatile Utah offensive lineman Spencer Fano with the 14th-overall pick.
"Fano is steady as a pass protector, with double-digit starts at each tackle spot. But with 32⅛-inch arms, he might actually slide inside at the next level," Kiper wrote. "Teams worked out Fano at center during the combine, so he could absolutely handle that role as a replacement for Tyler Linderbaum on the Ravens.
"Fano could also join new addition John Simpson as a starting guard. And on top of all that, he'd provide much-needed depth behind Ronnie Stanley and Roger Rosengarten at tackle. (The other path would be taking a wide receiver – don't be surprised if this ends up being Arizona State's Jordyn Tyson or USC's Makai Lemon.)
Andrew Vorhees Earns Sixth-Highest Performance-Based Pay Bonus
Guard Andrew Vorhees has earned $1.199 million in performance-based pay for his performance during the 2025 season, the NFL announced.
It's the sixth-highest bonus among all players under the NFL's Performance-Based Pay program, which compensates players based on their playing time and salary levels.
Vorhees, a 2023 seventh-round pick, started all 17 games last season.
