Ravens Unrestricted Free Agents: Who to Re-Sign? – Part 3 in a Series

In this part three of the Ravens roster construction for 2022 (see part one here and part two here) I look at the Ravens own unrestricted free agents.  Who, if anyone, should they re-sign?

I continue my philosophy of generally avoiding over-30 players.  The Ravens primarily should focus on signing players who can contribute throughout the terms of their deals.  A 30-plus signing should be limited to players in limited roles and/or for small cap commitments.  The Ravens list, detailed in what follows, reinforces the view that those 30 and over players just won’t be full time contributors.

The Ravens’ Own Unrestricted Free Agents – The List

Baltimore has 20 of their own unrestricted free agents.  This list is littered with older and old players.

Here’s the list of 20:

Players Who Should Not Be Targets

There are two different groups of players the Ravens should avoid.

Ravens Unrestricted Free Agents – Group 1

First, players who are either too old and/or too ineffective.  Josh Johnson, Jimmy Smith, Pernell McPhee and Latavius Murray are each captured here.  I like Jimmy Smith and he held his own in 2021.  But he just can’t stay on the field.

I throw Sammy Watkins into this group as someone who just doesn’t have a role in 2022.  Devonta Freeman should also be avoided, even though he looked quicker and a bit faster in the second half of 2021.  I’m just not a fan of signing 30 year old running backs.  Tony Jefferson is also a player who played well when called upon.  But he’s too limited for my taste and there’s just no need for a one dimensional safety.  David Sharpe just doesn’t offer much.

Ravens Unrestricted Free Agents – Group 2

Second, are players who will be out of the Ravens’ price range.  This group consists of Patrick Ricard, Bradley Bozeman and Anthony Averett.  From a football perspective, cases can be made for retaining each of these guys.  But given the Ravens glaring needs at other critical positions, the cap space just isn’t there.

Yes, some may argue for retaining Ricard.  But it’s hard to fathom spending $5 million or so of cap space on a blocking fullback, even if he is the best in the league, given the Ravens’ tight cap.

And yes, Bozeman had a solid 2021 and is a rising center in the league.  But he is not dominant.  With the Ravens history of not re-signing their own centers, it hardly seems likely that Bozeman is the guy who will alter that course.  Again, the cap space just isn’t there given the Ravens other needs.  And depending on the offensive tackle situation, we could wind up with Patrick Mekari at center on opening day.

In Averett’s case, there just isn’t a starter slot available for him in Baltimore, and he might be a number two corner somewhere in the league.  Therefore, there just isn’t a realistic scenario where Averett wants to return.

Ricard, Bozeman, and Averett will each garner nice contracts and will be in the mix when it comes to compensatory picks the Ravens could receive in 2023.  But none of them figure to be in Baltimore when training camp starts.

These two groupings of players eliminate eleven of the Ravens’ 20 unrestricted free agents.

Ravens Unrestricted Free Agents – Players Who Deserve Some Consideration

My third group consists of six players (Bynes, Houston, Williams, Fort, Ellis and Tomlinson) who deserve some level of consideration as role players.  Generally said, I’m not pushing for bringing back anyone from this group, with age being the primary consideration.

For Justin Houston and Brandon Williams, their respective levels of play have diminished.

Brandon Williams

In Williams’ case, when healthy he was still effective against the run.  Williams was very strong down the stretch.  But injuries have increasingly reduced his playing time over the last two seasons and it’s time to move on.  Perhaps the Ravens consider him for the relevant minimum if he’s willing.  But given that the Ravens already have an injury-compromised defensive tackle in Derek Wolfe, I’m just not going there with Williams.

Justin Houston

In the case of Justin Houston, I believe he was on the field too often in early parts of games in 2021.  I would have saved him more for second half snaps to keep him fresher when games were on the line.  His combined sacks and hits total ranked 23^rd among edge defenders.  Now, could the Ravens consider him for such a more limited role in 2022?  Sure, but it’s clear that Houston’s best days are behind him, and I’d rather invest that cap money in someone like Haasan Reddick or Harold Landry.

I think there will be more takers for Houston this year than last, given the rise in the league cap.  And I’d be remiss not to mention that Houston graded out by Pro Football Focus as the Ravens’ second best defender in 2021 (which, I argue, is more of an indictment of everyone else on the field last year than a credit to Houston).  But I would not entertain the notion of signing Houston for a cap figure in the $6 million range.  And he may well get that.  I think he’s gone.

Josh Bynes, L.J. Fort and Others

With Bynes, Fort and Ellis, I want to see the Ravens get younger.  There’s not likely to be much of a market for any of these guys.  Bynes clearly had a role in 2021 and played well downhill.  The Ravens do need a veteran presence next to Queen.  He could be back on, say, a $2 million cap figure.  I prefer him over Fort.  But I’m sure the Ravens will prefer someone younger than both Bynes and Fort, if possible.

In the case of Justin Ellis, could he be a rotational piece in primarily a backup role?  Perhaps, but he does not offer any athleticism, and the Ravens need to get much more athletic along the defensive line.  Ellis might be  someone to consider after the draft, but not now.  And as you’ll see in part 4 of the Ravens 2022 roster construction (to come), I think there are a group of run-stuffing defensive tackle vets on the free agent market this year who could help more.

With Eric Tomlinson it’s simple.  There’s no reason to consider him now.  Mark Andrews and Nick Boyle are locks on the roster, and likely a third tight end who can catch and run.  The only consideration with Tomlinson is insurance in case Boyle can’t play.  I don’t think Tomlinson commands any free agent attention.  He may be a player for training camp, but not now.

Ravens Unrestricted Free Agents – The Legitimate Targets

This culling leaves three “real” potential re-signings: Calais Campbell, Deshon Elliott, and Chris Board.

Calais Campbell

Campbell announced he wants to play in 2022.  But before we go agog over re-signing him, let’s take a hard look at what he offers.

Campbell was effective in 2021, particularly against the run.  He graded out as the Ravens’ top defender (think about that!).  But the “dominant” all-around play from years ago is behind him.  No longer is he a major pass rushing presence.  It’s more like he is an occasional disrupter.  That’s it.

Sure, Campbell is a fabulous locker room presence.  And the Ravens defense is bound to be much younger in 2022 and in need of a strong veteran leader or two.  Campbell can provide that in spades.  But at what price to the Ravens?

Then there’s Campbell’s goal of trying to get to a Super Bowl next season.  Are the Ravens his best final chance?  In the abstract, the answer is no.  Teams like the Chiefs, Bills, and Titans could offer better opportunities.  And each could have a use for Campbell in a defined, more limited role.

What cap space amount would Campbell consume with the Ravens?  Would it take a two-year deal with a $6 million signing bonus and $2 million 2022 base salary?  Because even that, which would be a $4 million cap number this year, is too much in my view for a 36 year old defensive lineman who doesn’t bring a whole lot to rushing the quarterback.  Pro Football Focus, for what it’s worth, is estimating a one-year $8 million deal.

In all, I don’t think the Ravens should re-sign Campbell.

Chris Board and Deshon Elliott

Board and Elliott involve different considerations.  Board is a strong special teams contributor and inside linebacker asset on passing downs.  He also provides depth at a position where the Ravens may only have Patrick Queen and Malik Harrison signed come draft day.  And we know Harrison has been a non-contributor in the first two years of his career.  There’s clearly a role for Board.  I’m thinking a cap number of no more than $3 million would do the trick, and probably closer to $2-$2.5 million.

With Elliott, I’m just not a big fan.  The injury history is obvious.  Elliott is a solid presence in the run game and is a big hitter who is reasonably effective as a tackler.  As a pass game defender, he’s not been as effective as one might have thought, particularly against tight ends.  The Ravens are certainly more invested in bringing along Brandon Stephens, with Geno Stone likely on the roster as well.  And a signing of any of the top three free agent safeties would moot any re-signing of Elliott.  I don’t expect him back.

Summary

Where does this leave us?  Of the Ravens’ 20 unrestricted free agents I see a re-signing of Board as a high probability event, and a possible return of either Bynes or Fort (my preference is Bynes).  That’s it.  And it seems about right to me.