With much of free agency and the NFL Draft in the rear view mirror, we’ve officially entered the slower portion of the offseason. GM Eric DeCosta and company are still cooking things up though:
We have signed QB Emory Jones and DE C.J. Ravenell.
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) May 7, 2024
Jones, a transfer portal journeyman, starred at Florida, Arizona State, and Cincinnati. He’s likely to be an extra QB during camp, with a chance to prove himself in the preseason. Ravenell is a more interesting story as a DE out of Missouri Western State University.
The Ravens are known for snagging unknown talent off the market from unexpected places, especially along the defensive line; could Ravenell be next in line?
His name certainly fits!
Ravenell will have the opportunity to join the NFL’s sixth-ranked defense, according to Bleacher Report:
Bleacher Report tabs the Ravens as the 6th-best NFL defense after the 2024 draft
1. Browns
2. Jets
3. Cowboys
4. Chiefs
5. 49ers
6. Ravens"[The Ravens] are losing coaching and playing talent but there are several main characters sticking around to create a formidable unit" pic.twitter.com/WqFhxLSZti
— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) May 7, 2024
Putting Baltimore behind the Browns makes sense to me, but I have a hard time putting them behind KC, Dallas and the Jets. There’s talent on all squads, sure, but Baltimore’s got studs like Roquan Smith and Justin Madubuike, veteran leadership with them and Marlon Humphrey, and youth in Nate Wiggins and Adisa Isaac.
For the Ravens, it should all come down to how well the unit jells with new DC Zach Orr. And to be honest, I have very few doubts about that.
After all, the scheming’s made easier when you have a Swiss army knife like potential DPOY Kyle Hamilton:
Kyle Hamilton will win DPOY at some point in his career.
Mark my words. pic.twitter.com/QWveJdbsIq
— The Ravens Realm (@RealmRavens) May 7, 2024
Hamilton truly makes life easy for a coordinator, opening up so many options across the board. But for Orr to really take advantage, it might be helpful for him to have a third safety to rely upon.
There’s Ar’Darius Washington, a somewhat unproven UDFA who’s played well in limited minutes, but another interesting option is Brandon Stephens, who played Safety at SMU.
Stephens was at the top of his game last season, but he could become the next flexible player on Baltimore’s defense, if they want. The question is, will they want that?
At least drafting Nate Wiggins and T.J. Tampa gives them the ability to do it.
Tale of the Tape: Should you be worried about TJ Tampa’s 40 time?
On the offensive side of the ball, QB Emory Jones will have the opportunity to learn from the third-most clutch QB and fourth-best overall:
Lamar Jackson is ranked in the top 3 of “most clutch quarterbacks when you gotta have it,” according to the numbers: https://t.co/CYc3Msjh9S
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) May 7, 2024
Ranking all 32 NFL Starting Quarterbacks, as of May 7, 2024:
1. Chiefs: Patrick Mahomes
2. Bills: Josh Allen
3. Rams: Matthew Stafford
4. Ravens: Lamar Jackson
5. Bengals: Joe Burrow
6. Texans: CJ Stroud
7. 49ers: Brock Purdy
8. Lions: Jared Goff
9. Eagles: Jalen Hurts
10.… pic.twitter.com/zTnP7G60RW— John Frascella (Football) (@NFLFrascella) May 7, 2024
It’s interesting Jackson was ranked so highly, but his record speaks for itself. To make it more impressive, it’s important to note Jackson’s support in recent years, as well:
The fact that Lamar Jackson was throwing to DeSean Jackson is still mind blowing pic.twitter.com/vxfBmgDFYf
— The Ravens Realm (@RealmRavens) May 6, 2024
This isn’t to pile on DeSean Jackson, who’s a potential Hall of Famer, but Baltimore’s franchise QB hasn’t had too many deep threats to enjoy. This year, he gets rookie WR Devontez Walker, who’s got some serious speed:
Loading…@DevontezWalker pic.twitter.com/l7oKCh7ca2
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) May 7, 2024
Walker won’t be expected to step into a major role immediately, but he does have the potential to make an impact. I’m excited to see how quickly his game translates at the next level.
Tale of the Tape: Did the Ravens Finally Get their Deep Threat?
As for the man that drafted him, he had a discussion with Ryan Ripken, set to go live soon:
Inside The Mind Of Eric DeCosta
Coming Soon pic.twitter.com/k8dckqIDZB
— Ryan Ripken (@ryanripken) May 7, 2024
And if you’re looking ahead to next season, we finally heard when we can expect the schedule.
NFL teams were informed today that the regular-season schedule is expected to be released next Wednesday, May 15th, as @BenFischerSBJ reported. pic.twitter.com/sDON7FFsoL
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 7, 2024
It may be a quiet time of the offseason, but it’s never really quiet in Charm City!
