Targets the Ravens could pursue after Day 1 of free agency

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 11: Tony Jefferson #23 of the Los Angeles Chargers celebrates after a play during the third quarter of an AFC wild card playoff football game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on January 11, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The first initial blitz of free agency has come and gone - the chaotic first couple of hours that gets everybody's blood pumping. As per usual, the Ravens took a relaxed stance in the opening period. After the adrenaline dump that was the Maxx Crosby trade, Monday's opener just contained a simple but needed signing of John Simpson to upgrade from last year's bottom-tier guard play. Now that the first rush is over, here are the names remaining that can still make an impact for the 2026 Ravens.

Offensive Line:

C Elgton Jenkins: Jenkins could be a miracle in waiting. With Connor McGovern retained by Buffalo before free agency and Cade Mays quickly signing at the start, the Ravens' eyes turned to retaining Tyler Linderbaum as their starter as their only option in free agency. That ended when the Raiders blew the league out of the water with a massive $27 million a year contract. But just after, Ravens fans' prayers were answered when the Packers cut Jenkins. This is the best remaining option for the Ravens outside of drafting somebody with their first pick at No. 45 overall.

OG Mekhi Becton: Mekhi Becton represent a boom or bust potential for the Ravens at guard. He has talent and when he's been at his best, Becton has been a steady piece for an offensive line. Becton was particularly helpful to the 2024 Philadelphia Eagles' Super Bowl team. He followed up his great year in Philly with a subpar season on that broken line for the Chargers.

OG Wyatt Teller/Kevin Zeitler: Wyatt Teller and Kevin Zeitler are both veteran offensive linemen who could help bring stability. One of those guys, paired with bringing in Simpson and the continuity of both tackles, would give the Ravens confidence to use the draft to fill the center position. They aren't long-term solutions for the Ravens but right now, more than ever, the Ravens need to be focused on maximizing each individual year until the window with Lamar Jackson slams shut.

C Brock Hoffman: Admittedly, this feels like a last resort signing. Hoffman was an undrafted center in 2022 who's been a fill-in guy during his couple of years in the NFL. He's spent time at guard and center and made 16 starts during his NFL career. If the Ravens were to sign Hoffman, the goal would likely be to ensure there is competition lined up for Corey Bullock during training camp before the draft.

Wide Receivers:

DeAndre Hopkins: I'm honestly upset this wasn't handled before free agency started. Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman are a good 1-2 punch in this league that this new coaching staff is going to have fun with and return them to 2024-levels of dangerous. All the room needs is a contested-catch, big-bodied style receiver to complement those two guys. Hopkins did that perfectly last year in what was essentially a broken offense for the majority of the season. Hopkins is an ideal retain candidate, especially with Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar gone, leaving Baltimore with more red zone target needs.

Romeo Doubs/Keenan Allen: Both of these represent other options in the same vein as what Hopkins would offer. More big-bodied, contested-catch specialists who help round out the skill sets and complement Flowers and Bateman. Allen is a similar option to Hopkins, an older vet who would take a one-year deal with a competitive team to fill a role in the short-term, be the veteran of the room. Doubs is a little different. Heading into his age-26 season, Doubs should be looking for a more long-term deal, likely in the $12-15 million per year range. This isn't impossible for the Ravens, but with Bateman paid and Flowers looking to get top-of-the-market money soon, it's unclear if the Ravens would do this. It would be fun, though.

Tight End

David Njoku: Njoku is a potential one-year deal, prove-it player after having a down year following the emergence of Harold Fannin Jr. in Cleveland. Njoku is still under 30 and, when healthy, is an athletic tight end who could help fill the void left by Likely. Njoku also offers something as a blocking tight end.

Chig Okonkwo: Okonkwo is a local favorite from his time as a Terp in College Park. An efficient receiver with after-the-catch ability, Okonkwo is a backup option who's never reached the 600-yard or 60 catch mark, but that might be all the Ravens need with other weapons in front and at least one pick at the position there expected. Owonkwo offers little as a blocker, which is something to keep in mind.

Defensive Line:

D.J. Reader: If the Ravens are unsure about the status of Nnamdi Madubuike heading into the 2026 season and don't want to force a pick at No. 45 for an immediate starter there, it's probably worth looking into Reader. Reader offers upside both as a run defender and a pass rusher, and wouldn't command long-term investment at 31 years old. While the sack numbers won't be high, he could help the unit with Travis Jones leading the way and Maxx Crosby on the outside.

Sebastian Joseph-Day: If, and only if, the Ravens are 100% confident in Madubuike's return and status, they might be able to take a step back from the defensive line trenches. It will still require investment in the draft, and they'll need rotational options to help keep Madubuike and Jones fresh. Joseph-Day is mostly a fill-in run defender, but he fills that role well and could help pair with John Jenkins on run downs to keep Madubuike and Jones fresh for pass situations.

Edge

Joey Bosa/Jadaveon Clowney/Cameron Jordan/Haason Reddick/Leonard Floyd:

All these guys listed above represent the same thing: a one-year, mercenary pass rusher who can come in and fill out the group. The Ravens don't need much in this room after acquiring Maxx Crosby. Along with Crosby, the Ravens will simplyhaveto rely on Mike Green to step up a bit and on Tavious Robinson to help in the run game. There are too many other needs to find a better solution. That being said, they should still add some help in case The Mike Green Ascension (trademark working) takes a couple of weeks to come to fruition. There are a couple of different flavors listed above, but at the end of the day, these are guys that Jesse Minter and defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver should be able to utilize on cheap, one-year deals.

Defensive Back:

Chidobe Awuzie: Again, another deal that I feel should have been locked up before the start of free agency. Unfortunately, the biggest memory of Awuzie as a Raven might be him slipping before letting up what would be the game-winning touchdown in the season finale against Pittsburgh. Before that, Awuzie was about as steady as it gets all season long despite a terrible defensive unit for most of the season. With questions about Marlon Humphrey's health and position going forward, and with young rising star Nate Wiggins having to learn a new system for the first time, Awuzie's return as a solid starter on the outside should be a no-brainer.

Tony Jefferson: This is another no-brainer and one that should be done as soul-healing for this fanbase. Simply put, TJ is a fan favorite in Baltimore and the report of his retirement was greatly exaggerated. Jefferson left his early exit from the NFL and came back to play in Los Angeles under Minter with the Chargers. In 2025, at 34 years old, Jefferson played over 500 snaps and had four interceptions while only allowing a 34.5 passer rating when targeted. It makes too much sense for Jefferson to come in as a coverage guy to help Minter get the defense up to speed as a leader.

Tariq Woolen: Woolen's play has been up and down since entering the league, but one thing is for certain: he's gonna find the ball. In his four years with the Seahawks, Woolen nabbed 12 interceptions and had 53 passes defensed. His play has been a bit boom or bust in that sense, especially in 2024 and 2025, where he gave up some chunk plays at times. However, Minter is well known for having great secondaries with less than great players, taking smaller name guys and lower draft picks, and churning out great units. Woolen is an ideal athletic candidate to receive the Minter boost in the secondary and could be an absolute ballhawk in Minter's system that focuses on eyes on the quarterback and generating takeaways.