Looking at Where Ravens Have Upgraded, Downgraded, or Held Steady This Offseason
It's been an eventful first three weeks of free agency for the Ravens, to say the least.
The blockbuster trade for defensive end Maxx Crosby sent shockwaves through the NFL, and the trade subsequently falling through made even bigger headlines. The Ravens lost more than a dozen free agents, including Tyler Linderbaum, who obliterated the market for centers, but they landed the biggest name in free agency in pass rusher Trey Hendrickson. Baltimore also made several other shrewd signings.
The Baltimore Banner’s Jonas Shaffer took stock of the roster and identified where the Ravens have upgraded, downgraded, or stayed the same. Here's a look at one position from each category:
Upgraded: Outside linebacker
Added: Hendrickson. Lost: Dre'Mont Jones (New England Patriots), David Ojabo (Miami Dolphins). Free agent: Kyle Van Noy
"Even with his age and questionable run defense, Hendrickson gives the Ravens their first All-Pro-level edge rusher since Terrell Suggs. His arrival should more than offset Jones' exit and help create pass rush opportunities for Green. The 2025 second-round pick averaged nearly three pressures a game over the second half of last season, according to Pro Football Focus. Tavius Robinson is a reliable edge setter whose pass rush productivity has improved every year (4.5 sacks in 10 games last year). The injury-prone Adisa Isaac might not offer more than Van Noy or Ojabo, who combined for 2.5 sacks in 29 games last year, but he still has untapped potential."
Downgraded: Tight end
Added: Durham Smythe. Lost: Isaiah Likely (New York Giants), Charlie Kolar (Chargers), Patrick Ricard (Giants).
"The Ravens lost their best blocking tight end (Kolar), their most dynamic receiving tight end (Likely) and one of their most inimitable players (Ricard) this offseason. Mark Andrews' 2025 was a disappointment; the 30-year-old struggled to uncover over the middle and didn't score a touchdown over his final eight games. Smythe can help replace some of the blocking ability the Ravens lost, but the drop-off across the position is steep. The loss of Tight Ends Coach George Godsey, one of the Ravens' best assistants, can't be overlooked, either."
Stayed the same: Safety
Added: Jaylinn Hawkins. Lost: Alohi Gilman (Kansas City Chiefs), Ar'Darius Washington (Giants).
"Gilman earned a three-year, $24 million contract in free agency, while Hawkins got just a two-year, $10 million deal in Baltimore. But Hawkins could prove to be the better player. He was rarely targeted in coverage last season with the New England Patriots and is an aggressive run defender. Washington was far more impactful in 2024 than in 2025, when he was returning from a torn Achilles tendon. Malaki Starks played over 1,000 defensive snaps as a rookie starter and should continue his development under Head Coach Jesse Minter and Defensive Backs Coach Mike Mickens. Kyle Hamilton remains one of the NFL's most impactful defenders."
The Ravens' 2022 Draft Class Exemplifies Great Team-Building Model
As noted in Late for Work last week, the Ravens' stellar 2022 draft class, headlined by first-rounders Hamilton and Linderbaum, cashed in big time on their second contracts, totaling $300 million.
Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer said the Ravens' hitting on their picks that year is only part of the story.
"It's a great example of what it looks like when a personnel department is really executing at a high level," Breer wrote. "The story of how the whole thing came together actually starts before the draft, with the player development and maneuvering that set up the class.
"That started with comp picks. The Ravens got a third-round comp pick after losing Assistant Head coach David Culley to the Texans, and fourth-rounders for losing free-agents Matthew Judon and Yannick Ngakoue — Judon was a guy they drafted and developed, while they traded for Ngakoue at the 2020 deadline. So those three were in the bag, as was a fourth fourth-rounder they got the previous summer in a deal sending one more player they'd drafted and developed, Ben Bredeson, to the Giants. The Ravens then took the Culley pick and packaged it with another homegrown guy, Marquise 'Hollywood' Brown, to land the No. 23 pick. Which left them, at that point, with two first-rounders, second- and third-rounders, and the four fourth-rounders."
While Hamilton and third-round defensive tackle Travis Jones are the only picks from the 2022 class who are still on the team, Breer said the Ravens have set themselves up for continued success.
"In the end, all of this shows strategy, talent development and asset management, and why good teams stay good," Breer wrote. "Hamilton is a cornerstone. Jones is an important piece. The others gave the Ravens four good years (and in the case of Linderbaum, elite play at a pivotal position) and now will be responsible for setting Baltimore up for a similar haul of comp picks in 2027."
John Harbaugh Is Open to Reunion With Odell Beckham Jr.
Nearly a third of the free agents the Ravens lost reunited with their former head coach John Harbaugh in New York. Now there is speculation that another former Raven, wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., could join the Giants.
Beckham, 33, hasn't played since 2024, but he said recently that he intends to play this season and would welcome a reunion with the Giants, the team that drafted him in the first round in 2014.
Harbaugh said he is open to the idea during his media session at the NFL owners meetings on Monday.
"The obvious pat answer would be you look at every option," Harbaugh said. "And if Odell is an option, we'll be looking at him for sure. He and I do talk. We do text. We've maintained a really great relationship. He's one of my very favorite people in the world. It's not like you don't talk to guys about things like that, and certainly we have. We'll just have to see where it all goes."
Beckham played under Harbaugh in Baltimore in 2023 and made 35 catches for 535 yards and three touchdowns. Beckham, who played in nine games with the Miami Dolphins in 2024 before being granted his release, was suspended for six games in 2025 for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing drugs and then went unsigned the remainder of the season.
Beckham participated in the Fanatics Flag Football Classic last week and made one of his signature one-handed catches.
Harbaugh also commented on the Giants signing four Ravens free agents this offseason.
