Late for Work: After Strong Start to Free Agency, Ravens Still Have ‘Serious Business’ to Accomplish

The Baltimore Ravens entered the 2025 NFL offseason with high hopes, eager to improve their roster and put themselves in a position to compete for a championship in the upcoming season. After a season that was marked by both triumph and frustration, the Ravens were determined to build around their cornerstone players, especially quarterback Lamar Jackson. With the start of free agency, many fans and analysts were watching closely to see how the team would address key needs and make moves that could push them over the top.

The Ravens have made a solid start to free agency, securing a few key signings that have bolstered both their offense and defense. The team’s front office, led by General Manager Eric DeCosta, has been active, making moves to improve the roster. However, despite these promising additions, the Ravens still have serious business to take care of in order to truly compete for a Super Bowl. With several critical positions still in need of attention, the team’s work is far from over.

This article will take a deep dive into the Ravens’ free agency moves thus far, assess their current roster situation, and explore what remains to be done before the 2025 NFL season kicks off. From addressing major positional needs to securing long-term stability for Lamar Jackson, there is still a lot for the Ravens to accomplish this offseason.

A Strong Start to Free Agency

The Ravens’ free agency moves began with a focus on improving both their offense and defense, and they have made several strong moves to shore up key areas. Their early acquisitions have addressed some immediate needs and helped give the team a foundation to build upon. Here’s a look at some of their notable signings:

1. Signing DeAndre Hopkins: A Much-Needed Weapon for Lamar Jackson

One of the most significant moves the Ravens made early in free agency was the signing of wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. The former Arizona Cardinals star and one-time All-Pro receiver brings an elite level of talent and experience to the Ravens’ receiving corps, which has been an area of concern for the team in recent years.

Hopkins is known for his exceptional route running, hands, and ability to make spectacular catches in crucial moments. He is a proven playmaker who will give Lamar Jackson a reliable target in both the short and deep passing game. Pairing Hopkins with wideouts like Rashod Bateman and the emerging Zay Flowers gives Jackson a much-improved receiving group, which is critical for the Ravens’ offensive success.

The addition of Hopkins also alleviates some of the pressure on the Ravens’ coaching staff to develop younger receivers immediately. With a seasoned veteran in the fold, Jackson now has a go-to target who can help create mismatches and open up the offense.

2. Ronnie Stanley’s Return: Stability on the Offensive Line

The Ravens’ offensive line has long been a cornerstone of their running game, and the return of left tackle Ronnie Stanley is a huge boost to the team’s protection for Lamar Jackson. Stanley, when healthy, is one of the premier left tackles in the NFL, and his presence ensures that Jackson will have more time to survey the field and make plays.

While the offensive line still has some question marks, especially regarding depth at other positions, Stanley’s return gives the Ravens a solid starting point. If the line can stay healthy, it will play a pivotal role in both the success of the running game and Jackson’s ability to pass efficiently.

3. Defensive Reinforcements: Adding Key Depth

The Ravens have also made some key additions on defense, including the re-signing of linebacker Roquan Smith and the acquisition of veteran cornerback Marcus Peters. Smith is one of the league’s top inside linebackers, and his leadership and playmaking ability were crucial for the Ravens last season. Peters, while coming off a down year with some injury struggles, has the potential to return to his former Pro Bowl form, providing depth and experience to the Ravens’ secondary.

In addition, the Ravens addressed their pass rush by adding edge rusher Yannick Ngakoue, who brings a proven ability to get after the quarterback. Ngakoue’s pressure off the edge will complement the existing talent on the Ravens’ defensive line, including Calais Campbell and Odafe Oweh. The defense is already one of the strongest in the NFL, but these moves give them even more depth and flexibility.

What’s Still Left to Be Done

While the Ravens have certainly made some significant improvements, there is still much work to be done before the 2025 season. With critical positions still unaddressed and questions surrounding the future of several key players, the front office must continue to make shrewd moves in the coming weeks. Let’s take a look at what serious business the Ravens still need to tackle in the remainder of the offseason.

1. Long-Term Stability for Lamar Jackson

Perhaps the most pressing issue facing the Ravens is securing Lamar Jackson’s long-term future with the team. Jackson, the team’s franchise quarterback, is entering the final year of his rookie contract and is in need of a new deal. His unique skill set as both a passer and a runner makes him one of the most dynamic players in the league, but contract negotiations have been a point of contention between Jackson and the Ravens’ front office.

Despite the acquisition of DeAndre Hopkins and other moves to improve the roster, the Ravens will need to ensure Jackson is locked in for the long term. Without a contract extension, Jackson’s future with the team could be uncertain, and that could affect the stability of the offense moving forward. If the Ravens want to continue to compete for championships, securing their quarterback for the foreseeable future is of paramount importance.

2. Wide Receiver Depth

While the signing of DeAndre Hopkins was a huge step forward, the Ravens still need to continue addressing their wide receiver depth. Despite the addition of Hopkins, the Ravens’ wide receiving corps lacks true depth beyond their top options. Rashod Bateman has shown flashes of potential, but he has struggled with injuries, and there are still questions about whether he can stay healthy for a full season. Zay Flowers is a promising young talent, but he is still unproven at the NFL level.

The Ravens may need to add another proven veteran or target a wide receiver in the draft to further solidify their receiving corps. Depth at this position is important for any offense, but especially for one that revolves around the dynamic playmaking ability of Lamar Jackson. Having multiple weapons at wide receiver will allow the Ravens to run a more versatile and unpredictable offense.

3. Improving the Running Back Position

While the Ravens have a strong tradition of running the ball, they still need to address their running back position. J.K. Dobbins, who showed flashes of brilliance last season, has battled injuries, and the team’s other options at running back have been inconsistent. The Ravens will need to find a reliable and explosive back to complement their running game, especially given their reliance on the ground attack in their offensive scheme.

Adding a playmaking running back either through free agency or the draft could give the Ravens offense the balance it needs to be truly dangerous. A back who can break big runs, catch passes out of the backfield, and stay healthy throughout the season would add another dimension to the Ravens’ offense and help take some pressure off Lamar Jackson.

4. Strengthening the Defensive Line and Pass Rush

Although the Ravens’ defense is one of the league’s best, their pass rush is still an area of concern. While Yannick Ngakoue’s addition is a positive step, the team needs to ensure they have enough depth and talent to pressure opposing quarterbacks consistently. The Ravens have long prided themselves on being able to generate pressure up front, and improving the defensive line should be a priority in the remainder of the offseason.

This could be achieved by either adding another pass rusher through free agency or targeting a pass rusher in the draft. With the AFC North being home to some elite quarterbacks, including Joe Burrow and Deshaun Watson, the Ravens need to ensure that they can consistently get after the passer and disrupt the rhythm of opposing offenses.

5. Cornerback Depth

While the Ravens made a solid addition in Marcus Peters, their cornerback depth still needs attention. The Ravens have a strong starting duo at cornerback with Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Peters, but injuries and inconsistent play from the rest of the group have been issues in recent years. The Ravens will need to bolster their depth at cornerback, either through free agency or the draft, to ensure that they have reliable options if injuries strike or if their starters need rest during the season.

In particular, the Ravens should focus on adding a cornerback who can contribute immediately, especially in nickel and dime packages. Having multiple capable cornerbacks gives the Ravens defense the ability to match up with various offensive schemes, especially those that use multiple wide receivers or fast-paced offenses.