A few weeks ago, I reviewed and analyzed the Ravens’ initial flurry of moves this offseason. The dust has settled on a few more roster manipulations, so let’s dig in and analyze each.
Signings
LB Jake Hummel
New contract: $1.2 million over one year ($100k fully-gtd)
2024 stats: 338 snaps on special teams, one start on defense
Last team + contract: Rams, $2.565 million over three years (2022 UDFA)
Analysis: After losing Chris Board and Malik Harrison, the Ravens needed to replenish their linebacker and special teams depth. Jake Hummel has an excellent name for special teams and the experience to match (827 snaps over his first three NFL seasons). He has only played 117 snaps on defense and would have to develop significantly to factor into the linebacker rotation in Baltimore.
https://twitter.com/MathBomb/status/1520564581734699010
Hummel is still an excellent young athlete who can help shore up a Ravens special teams unit that did not live up to the franchise standard last year. For $1.2 million with just $100k in guarantees, this is a cheap way to replenish and potentially upgrade on special teams.
WR Tylan Wallace
New contract: $2.1 million over one year ($1.35M fully-gtd, $1.356M 2025 cap hit)
Acquired via: 2021 fourth-round pick (#131 overall)
2024 cap hit + role: $1,226,339 for 275 snaps at WR and 268 snaps on special teams
Analysis: Tylan Wallace took advantage of his limited opportunities in 2024, reeling in 13 of his 15 targets for 241 yards (though more than one-third of that came on a single play). He was a willing and able run blocker and gunner, though he didn’t seem quite as effective or decisive on returns as he did in 2023. DeAndre Hopkins will likely take more snaps than Nelson Agholor did, which could reduce Wallace’s already small snap share. He will compete with Devontez Walker for WR4 snaps at an affordable price for a tough, talented, depth WR and core special teams contributor. The Ravens used void years to prorate out his $930k signing bonus, which minimized his 2025 cap hit and also signals Wallace isn’t guaranteed a 53-man roster spot. Releasing him during final cuts would push more than half of the dead money on his contract into 2026 while saving $750k this year. It’s not a lot of money, but the Ravens are already working with a tight budget and would want to avoid extra dead money so close to the season.
[Related: The Front Office Podcast – The Uncertain Future of Tyler Linderbaum]
OL Ben Cleveland
New contract: $1.17 million over one year ($1.03M 2025 cap hit, per Brian McFarland)
Acquired via: 2021 third-round pick (#94 overall)
2024 cap hit + role: $1,500,460 for 49 snaps at guard and 117 snaps on special teams
Analysis: This was a surprise given, well, Ben Cleveland’s entire experience in Baltimore. Between the failed conditioning tests, a recent DUI, and the team’s seeming general lack of interest in giving a former third-rounder a legitimate shot at a starting job, the hulking lineman seemed destined for another chance elsewhere. Still, Cleveland has held up whenever called upon in the last few years and can back up either guard spot while serving as emergency center or right tackle. With no guarantees attached, this is a no-risk move to retain some familiar offensive line depth after losing Patrick Mekari and Josh Jones.
QB Cooper Rush
New contract: $6.2 million over 2 years (up to $12.2M, $4.2M fully-gtd)
2024 stats: Completed 61.3% of passes for 209.6 yards/game across 8 starts (11 TD, 4 INT)
Last team + contract: Cowboys, $5 million over 2 years
Analysis: The Ravens have long needed to upgrade at backup quarterback, and Cooper Rush fits the bill. He doesn’t have an elite arm or a lot of mobility, but he’s confident, competent, and crucially, cheap. In case of a short-term absence from Lamar Jackson, Rush can keep the offense moving and convert the occasional third-and-long when needed. It’s hard to ask for more out of a backup, especially at a reasonable $3.1 million APY. This also doesn’t stop the Ravens from taking another shot on a rookie quarterback, which they should continue to do as long as they have so many picks.
Other Moves
NT Michael Pierce Retires
Post-June 1 savings: $1,255,000 in 2025
Post-June 1 dead money: $667,000 in 2025, $1,334,000 in 2026
Acquired via: 2022 FA
2024 cap hit + role: $4,072,000 for 231 snaps at defensive tackle
Analysis: Michael Pierce is a longtime fan-favorite who will certainly be missed in the Ravens’ locker room. He’s a respected veteran whose limited statistical production never reflected his ability to eat double-teams and control the middle of the trenches. His second stint in Baltimore was limited to 31 games across three years due to injury, but he made sure to go out on the highest note possible. Pierce’s retirement only heightens the Ravens’ need for quality defensive line depth (preferably with pass-rushing upside). I expect the team to process his retirement with a post-June 1 designation for minimal cap impact in 2025, and they could easily double-dip at the position in the draft.
Placed ROFR RFA Tender on S Ar’Darius Washington
RFA tender: Right of first refusal, $3,263,000 over one year
Acquired via: 2021 UDFA
2024 cap hit + role: $985,000 for 727 snaps at safety
Analysis: The RFA tag doesn’t preclude an extension for Washington, but the Ravens probably weren’t willing to meet the number he was looking for. The right-of-first-refusal tender is the right move; no team was going to give up a second-rounder to sign Washington. Pre-draft biases tend to stick around in other front offices, especially when concerns about his size have been somewhat validated by his injuries in the NFL. I also don’t see a team offering a deal the Ravens wouldn’t match, indicating that Washington will enter the 2025 season in pole position to start at safety alongside Kyle Hamilton. It’s not surprising that a player who has been questioned for his size throughout his college and professional career is choosing to bet on himself. He’ll need to stay healthy and contribute to Baltimore’s defense like he did last year for it to pay off. Still, don’t rule out the Ravens using a premium pick on a safety in April’s draft.
Maximum Restructure of CB Marlon Humphrey’s Contract
2025 cap savings: $10.396 million
Analysis: The Ravens added two void years to Marlon Humphrey’s contract to complete a maximum restructure. He was set to earn $18 million in 2025 via his base salary and a roster bonus. The Ravens reduced his salary to the veteran minimum ($1.255M) and converted the remaining salary and roster bonus to a signing bonus of $16.745 million that is then prorated across the next five years of the contract. Humphrey’s 2025 cap hit dropped to $11.98 million with increases of $3.349 million in each of the following four seasons. An extension before Derek Stingley reset the cornerback market would have been better, but the Ravens needed to create the cap space and chose to do so with a single maximum restructure instead of multiple standard ones.
Paid $4 Million Roster Bonus to TE Mark Andrews
Remaining 2025 salary: $7 million
Analysis: The last two major tight end trades were T.J. Hockenson at the 2022 trade deadline and Darren Waller in March 2023. Both were moved for late Day 2 value, which is likely what the Ravens were seeking in exchange for Mark Andrews. With a strong TE draft class, no team wanted to move that much draft capital and pick up the $11 million remaining on his contract. Andrews could ask for an extension from his new team, too. With only $7 million left to pay, another team might be willing to meet the Ravens’ asking price, and we’ve seen the team keep trades under wraps until the draft. Still, after paying the roster bonus, Baltimore may prefer to ride out Andrews’ contract and collect a future compensatory pick when he hits free agency in 2026.
