The signing of Odell Beckham Jr. by the Ravens in 2023 as a free agent should improve their receiving corps.
Baltimore –NFL free agency is almost to an end, and with analysis from our NFL Nation writers and expert evaluations, we’re keeping tabs on every significant signing, trade, and release of the 2023 offseason. ESPN will air the first round of the 2023 NFL draft on April 27.
Lamar Jackson, the quarterback for the Ravens, is the main focus of their offseason. Jackson was granted the nonexclusive franchise tag on March 7. This year, Jackson’s $32.416 million tag represents almost 15% of Baltimore’s salary limit, which raises serious concerns for the team in free agency. The Ravens would receive two first-round selections as compensation if Jackson signs an offer sheet with another team and they choose not to match it. Jackson’s tag restricts both Baltimore’s available financial space and the improvements the Ravens may make to his supporting cast if he stays with the organization.
The Baltimore Ravens signed the following free agents in 2023; this is a list of those players and how they will affect the 2023 campaign:
Beckham agreed to a $15 million guaranteed contract for one year.
What it means: The Ravens have acquired the most talented and explosive wide receiver in Lamar Jackson’s five NFL seasons if he plays with the nonexclusive franchise tag. Three-time Pro Bowler Beckham is renowned for his enormous receptions and broad grab radius. Since 2019, Baltimore’s wide receivers have dropped 3.9% of their throws, which is tied for the seventh-worst percentage in the league. After missing the entire previous season due to injury, Beckham ought to be a highly motivated addition to the Ravens.
from a torn ACL in his left knee sustained in Super Bowl LVI, and he will be available as a free agent the following year. The Ravens can now satisfy their cornerback need and are less inclined to select a wide receiver in the first round thanks to the addition of Beckham.
What’s at risk: Beckham’s health. 14 months ago, he tore his ACL, and he hasn’t played since. The Ravens are making a significant one-year investment in Beckham, who has only played in two complete seasons in his eight-year career. Wide receivers are not known for paying large salaries. After posting 1,000-yard seasons in five of his first six years, Beckham’s output has declined. Since 2019, he has not exceeded 600 yards receiving.
Agholor agreed to a $3.25 million, one-year contract.
What it means: The Ravens eventually signed a free agent from another team after nine days of negotiations. Agholor, who has made 20 catches on passes that have traveled at least 20 yards in the air since 2020, provides the Ravens with a much-needed deep threat. Over the past three seasons, Agholor has gained 20 yards or more on 25.9% of his receptions. Last season, Baltimore had trouble stretching the field as its wide receivers had 10 catches on throws of 20 yards or more—the second-fewest in the NFL. Greg Lewis, the new wide receivers coach for the Ravens, and Agholor are reunited. Lewis was Agholor’s position coach with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2016.
What’s at danger: This is only at risk if Agholor is the only significant wide receiver addition made by the Ravens. If Baltimore sees him as a No. 3 or No. 4 wide receiver, that would make sense. However, if Baltimore doesn’t draft or sign another experienced wide receiver, this is a risk. The wide receiver position on the Ravens has historically been the weak point in the offense. Since 2019, the wide receivers in Baltimore have amassed the fewest receiving yards (1,242) in the whole league.
Geno Stone, security
Stone agreed to a one-year contract.
What it means: A day after failing to tender Stone as a restricted free agent, the Ravens re-signed him. Stone is an excellent special teams player and a great backup. He proved his mettle last season, starting seven games at a career high to relieve injured Marcus Williams (wrist). During the previous season, Stone took part in 70% of the special teams snaps.
What’s the risk: Since Baltimore sorely needed the depth at safety, there was none. Chuck Clark was dealt by the Ravens to the Jets, making Stone the starting backup behind Kyle Hamilton and Williams.
Nick Moore, the lanky
Moore agreed to a two-year contract.
What it means: Despite receiving interest from other teams, the Ravens managed to hang onto one of the best long-snappers in the NFL. Last season, Moore was selected as a second-team All-Pro. Moore, who was the first player from the XFL to be signed by Baltimore, has taken Morgan Cox’s spot as the long snapper for the Ravens the past two seasons. As the most accurate kicker in NFL history, Justin Tucker’s success has been greatly attributed to Moore’s steadiness.
What’s at risk: Not re-signing Moore would have carried a higher risk. A few years ago, the Ravens took a chance by switching from the incredibly dependable Cox to the younger Moore. Special teams are Baltimore’s specialty, so they understood it was important to retain Moore.
Hill, Justice, sprinting back
The Ravens re-signed Hill to a two-year, $4.5 million deal.
What it means: The Ravens keep one of their best special teams players and their third-ranked running back (behind J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards). With an Achilles injury that kept him out of the 2021 season, Hill had a fantastic season last year. A career-high 5.3 yards per carry were averaged by him. Of the eight players in Baltimore’s 2019 draft class, Hill is the only one still playing. He was selected in the fourth round four years ago.
What is the risk: It’s little. The Ravens’ use of cap space—of which they don’t have much—on a role player is the lone drawback. Baltimore’s top priorities are at cornerback and wide receiver.
Missouri’s Kansas CityBefore the AFC Championship Game, Travis Kelce alleged that Justin Tucker broke a “unwritten rule” by putting his equipment in an area where Patrick Mahomes was becoming unruly. He also said that Tucker was “poking the bear” by doing this.
Footage from before Sunday’s game, which the Chiefs won 17–10, shows Mahomes slamming his helmet away from Mahomes’ warming area and Tucker throwing his kicking tee.
Each team uses half of the field to warm up before games, as detailed by Kelce. To accommodate for wind and other weather conditions, kickers and punters are permitted to work on both sides of the field; however, when they do go to the opposite side, Kelce stated that they must avoid opposing players.
Kelce explained the usual pregame routine, where each team gets half of the field to warm up. Kickers and punters are allowed to work on both sides
Footage from before Sunday’s game, which the Chiefs won 17–10, shows Mahomes slamming his helmet away from Mahomes’ warming area and Tucker throwing his kicking tee.
“Justin came out and he said it was more of a joking gesture and kind of a fun, competitive [move] and I get it,” said Kelce. He was attempting to get under my skin by winking at me and acting like a d—. Simply put, we weren’t feeling humorous. We were prepared to pursue it.
According to Mahomes’ statement on Tuesday, only Tucker has broken these unspoken norms throughout his NFL career.
“I’ve been doing that same warm-up routine for seven years, and there have only been like three instances where a kicker wasn’t… moving out of the way,” Mahomes said in an interview with Kansas City radio station KCSP. “It was in Baltimore all three times.”
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Tucker seemed to be attempting “to get under our skin,” Mahomes continued, saying he “was going to let it slide, but Travis moved it for me.”
The pregame incident was, according to Tucker on Monday, “gamesmanship” and “all in good fun.”On Kansas City’s opening drive, Kelce, who grabbed a 19-yard touchdown pass from Mahomes, remarked that Tucker’s actions might have had repercussions.
“I apologize, Justin, if we escalated the situation beyond what you anticipated,” the Pro Bowl tight end stated. “But I can always outdo you if you’re going to be a d—. Do not paint me in a negative light. It was him jabbing the bear.
