Ravens News 6/19: Stock Report

Baltimore Ravens stock report: Who rose, who fell during OTAs and mandatory minicamp?

Jeff Zrebiec, The Athletic

Stock Up

Tre Swilling, DB: A member of the practice squad last year, Swilling took advantage of the OTA absence of safety Marcus Williams and the minicamp absence of Kyle Hamilton (elbow procedure) to get some front-line reps. His confidence seemed to rise with each passing week of the offseason, and the ball found him on quite a few occasions, too. There are one or two jobs to be won at safety behind Williams and Hamilton, and Swilling suddenly looks to be in the mix. He helped his cause in recent weeks and is firmly on the radar.

Stock Down

Ben Cleveland, G: The prevailing thought when the Ravens didn’t use a high draft pick on a guard despite losing starters Kevin Zeitler and John Simpson in free agency was that Cleveland would finally get a chance to earn a starting job. The 2021 third-round pick was more experienced than other candidates like Vorhees and Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, and he also had played reasonably well in spot starts for the Ravens over the past three seasons. Ravens decision-makers insist that Cleveland is still in the mix, but he wasn’t getting the front-line opportunities that other candidates were over the past couple of weeks. Are the coaches trying to make sure he arrives at camp in shape and motivated, or do they just not believe he’s a worthy starter? That answer should become clear relatively early in camp. What’s already clear, though, is Cleveland has some ground to make up.

2024 NFL offseason: Grading moves, changes for all 32 teams

Seth Walder, ESPN

Baltimore Ravens: B

Biggest move: Re-signing DT Justin Madubuike

Move I liked: Signing RB Derrick Henry for only $9 million fully guaranteed

Move I disliked: Losing G Kevin Zeitler in free agency

One of the Ravens’ biggest — and certainly most fun — moves of the offseason was signing Henry to a shockingly cheap deal. The $9 million fully guaranteed was less than D’Andre Swift, Tony Pollard, Joe Mixon, Josh Jacobs and Devin Singletary received. Even though Henry has been on the decline for some time, he has always had a large workload. If he splits carries in Baltimore, he could absolutely bring efficiency to its offense.

Baltimore signed Madubuike to a big $98 million deal with $48.5 million fully guaranteed. There’s no question the Ravens needed a pass-rusher, and it’s hard to fault them for paying the defensive tackle after a huge season in which he recorded 13.0 sacks, but I’m a little wary. Mike Macdonald’s simulated pressure-filled scheme was a contributor to Madubuike’s success, and Macdonald left for Seattle. Elsewhere on defense, the Ravens let linebacker Patrick Queen, edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney and safety Geno Stone walk in free agency.

There is also offensive line turnover. Tackle Morgan Moses and guard John Simpson went to the Jets via free agency and a trade, respectively. Zeitler left for Detroit, and they’ll have to rely on their depth and possibly rookie tackle Roger Rosengarten to reshape that unit, which might get dicey.

As always, the Ravens dominate the compensatory pick game and are expected to land the maximum four picks next year, per OverTheCap.

Ranking The Top 10 NFL Rosters Entering 2024 Season

Ian Valentino, 33rd Team

8. BALTIMORE RAVENS

Last year’s No. 1 overall seed was a force to be reckoned with in the regular season, but the lack of star power outside of Lamar Jackson again reared its head in the postseason.

The Baltimore Ravens did well to address their overreliance on their MVP, bringing in Derrick Henry to tote the rock, right tackle Roger Rosengarten to upgrade the pass-blocking, and fourth-round rookie Devontez Walker to bring a legitimate deep threat. However, it’s still a team with one way to win — from ahead.

When it all works as planned, the Ravens are terrific.

Their defense is a better collective unit than a group of individual stars, although first-round CB Nate Wiggins can be the x-factor who raises its level even more. Bringing back Justin Madubuike was a huge win as well. This was the league’s top-ranked scoring defense because of how versatile they are, more than how each individual could change the game.

The Ravens will likely push for a top seed in the AFC because they play to their strengths as well as anyone. Besides keeping Jackson healthy, the key is for them to evolve beyond what they did in 2023.

Quarterbacks who got the most help in 2023: The players aided by pass protection, receiving corps, scheme and more

Gordon McGuinness, PFF

PASS PROTECTION: HIGHEST TEAM PASS-BLOCKING GRADES IN 2023

Philadelphia Eagles: 77.0

Baltimore Ravens: 74.5

Minnesota Vikings: 74.4

Atlanta Falcons: 74.2

Denver Broncos: 72.7

OPEN RECEIVERS: PASSING SNAPS WITH THREE OR MORE OPEN RECEIVERS IN 2023 REGULAR SEASON

Kansas City Chiefs: 228

Baltimore Ravens: 195

Arizona Cardinals: 186

Buffalo Bills: 185

Houston Texans: 178

In their first season with Todd Monken as offensive coordinator, the Ravens ranked second, as they ranked just 24th in 2022.

PLAY-ACTION: EXPECTED POINTS ADDED (EPA) PER PLAY ON PLAY-ACTION PASSES IN 2023

San Francisco 49ers: 0.416

Buffalo Bills: 0.328

New Orleans Saints: 0.281

Detroit Lions: 0.280

Baltimore Ravens: 0.264

Ranking eight NFL divisions by quarterback: AFC claims three of top four spots; NFC West at No. 2

Eric Edholm, NFL.com

1) AFC North

Baltimore Ravens: Lamar Jackson

Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Burrow

Cleveland Browns: Deshaun Watson

Pittsburgh Steelers: Russell Wilson/Justin Fields

On name value alone, this division packs some serious punch.

Jackson is coming off his second MVP campaign. Burrow is making a league-high $55 million per year, having guided Cincinnati to a pair of AFC Championship Games and a Super Bowl over his past two healthy seasons. Watson boasts a contract with the most guaranteed money in league history. Wilson is a nine-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champ, while Fields is a 25-year-old former first-rounder with 38 starts under his belt.

Pound for pound, top to bottom, there’s a lot to like with the North crop. Hence, the division receiving top billing on this list. But there also are some clear trap doors here.

Even with some losses on offense in Baltimore, Jackson should be fine, fresh off a brilliant campaign. But Burrow and Watson both are working back from season-ending injuries, and the Browns no longer have the Joe Flacco safety net behind the enigmatic Watson. Wilson has been in a slow decline in recent years, and Fields has only made modest gains over the past few seasons as a passer.