Free Agents the Baltimore Ravens Should Re-sign

Free agency is a very complicated process. People often say football is a business, and nothing expresses that more than free agency. There is little to no loyalty to be found in the NFL today. The only way to re-sign most players is by being the highest bidder. The Baltimore Ravens will get a crack at their free agents before Free Agency starts on March 4th. Now there is the question of who the Ravens need to prioritize to re-sign. Let’s get to it.

The number one priority has to be Pernell McPhee. He demonstrated fantastic potential this season. Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil have been terrific this season, but they are not getting any younger. McPhee needs to be a priority because of the youth and fresh legs he brings to the defense. He had a great season; he only managed to acquire 7.5 sacks but had the most quarterback hits out of all 3-4 outside linebackers.

Dumervil and Suggs continue to get the glory as they should, but McPhee is actually ranked higher than both of them on PFF, being ranked #2 out of all 3-4 outside linebackers. He will be a very popular free agent even with his average sack total. I think it will be tough for the Ravens to retain him, but it is definitely possible.

Re-sign Chance: 50%

The second priority should be the main bright spot in the secondary, Will Hill. The Ravens took a chance on Will Hill, and he definitely delivered. Hill missed the first six games due to a suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. His on-the-field talent was never a question, but his off-the-field issues were definitely concerning.

He had a coming-out party against the New Orleans Saints when he volunteered to shadow Jimmy Graham on Monday Night Football. He limited Graham to six catches for 47 yards on ten targets, also recording an interception for a touchdown. Hill ranked ninth in all safeties in the coverage category on PFF. The Ravens, as we all saw this season, struggled in coverage mightily.

Hill was the best Raven in coverage this season behind Jimmy Smith. He should definitely be a priority as he can only get better with more time on the field and more starting experience. The Ravens will have a very good chance at getting Hill back for the 2105 season because he is a restricted free agent, and teams will be afraid to place a high round draft pick because of his off-the-field past.

Re-Sign Chance: 95%

The Ravens next priority should be to re-sign arguably the best free agent move of all of 2014, Justin Forsett. Last offseason, the Ravens signed Justin Forsett to a one-year veteran minimum contract to be a third string running back.

He had other plans. After Ray Rice was suspended for the entire 2014 season, Forsett saw his chance and took it. The 2014 season was a fairy tale for him. He was a seventh-round pick out of the University of California at Berkeley. He never had above 118 carries in a season; in 2014 he had 235 carries with the Ravens. In 2014 he had 1,266 yards, previously his highest total was 619.

It was awesome as a fan to cheer on his story this season. He bounced back and forth between three teams and was going to retire before the Ravens called him. He has definitely deserved to be paid a much higher wage than the veteran minimum he received last year. I think there is a good chance the Ravens do re-sign him. He has expressed his love to return to Baltimore and is one of the very few players who I believe would take less money to return to the Ravens.

Re-sign Chance: 85%

The final high priority player they need to focus to re-sign is Maryland’s own Torrey Smith. This is definitely the hardest case to judge. Torrey is a talented receiver, but an inconsistent one at that. He has shown slight improvement each season, but started very slowly this year. He has been a hot and cold player, but is still a very solid player and deserves to be offered a solid contract by the Ravens.

Smith is also a huge voice in the locker room and a leader as well. I think he is a priority to re-sign for his on-the-field contribution just as much as his off-the-field contribution. He is a great face for the organization. Smith is also a very solid deep threat, but it is frustrating to see him rarely fight for the ball. The most recent memorable moment is the last Joe Flacco interception against the Patriots in the AFC Divisional Round playoff game. He did not even attempt to fight for the ball on that play.

I think Torrey Smith is definitely a quality talent, but the Ravens do have options around that 26th pick, like Jaelen Strong, Devin Smith, Devin Funchess and Sammie Coates. I believe the Ravens will most likely get Torrey Smith and look for a possible Steve Smith Sr. replacement when he retires.

Re-sign Chance: 70%

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