Ravens Land in Bottom 10 of ESPN’s Free-Agency Rankings
The consensus of pundits is that the Ravens are among the winners of free agency at this point in the offseason. ESPN’s Ben Solak doesn’t share that opinion.
Solak ranked all 32 teams free-agency performances based on signings, re-signings, trade acquisitions, and departed talent. The Ravens came in at No. 23.
Unlike the majority of pundits, Solak was not a fan of the Ravens signing pass rusher Trey Hendrickson to a four-year deal reportedly worth $112 million.
“The Ravens are paying tippy-tippy-top of the market for a designated pass rusher in Hendrickson,” Solak wrote. “Among 325 edge rusher seasons over the past three years, Hendrickson’s run stop win rates rank 274th, 300th and 302nd. New Ravens coach Jesse Minter is coming from Los Angeles, where premier run-defending edges Tuli Tuipulotu and Khalil Mack made his light boxes a lot more viable.
“Hendrickson will alleviate the Ravens’ pass rusher problem, which has been a big issue for years — but I’m not sure he’s an every-down player, and Minter will need to scheme around him in a way Crosby would not have demanded.”
On the flip side, Solak loved the Ravens reuniting with veteran guard John Simpson, who signed a three-year deal reportedly worth $30 million.
“Simpson takes Daniel Faalele’s vacant right guard spot while Emery Jones Jr. fights Andrew Vorhees for the left spot,” Solak wrote. “The Ravens still need an early draft pick on the interior to account for Tyler Linderbaum’s departure, but they’re on the path to resuscitating their O-line.”
