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Baltimore Ravens: Five Free Agent Options Still Available

By Joe Serpico

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The Baltimore Ravens were active following the NFL Draft and rookie minicamp, but some of the moves made went under the radar. The big splash from last week was the signing of Kyle Arrington to a three-year deal which turned the cornerback position into a strength after last season’s fiasco. It was the little moves that beg us to ask if the Ravens are finished with their free agent shopping list. 

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The Ravens cut ties with Phillip Supernaw and Keith Wenning, the team’s sixth-round pick in the 2014 draft. Supernaw had two catches in six appearances for the Ravens, however, with the selection of two tight ends in this year’s draft, it was inevitable that Supernaw would be let go. Wenning spent all of last season on the practice squad after being selected out of Ball State, but the Ravens signed former Prairie View A&M quarterback Jerry Lovelocke as an undrafted free agent.

According to ESPN’s Field Yates, the Ravens were one of eight teams that tried to claim former Houston Texans second-round pick D.J. Swearinger. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers acquired the third-year safety from South Carolina, but Baltimore does need to add another safety to the group with the injury to Terrence Brooks. Ozzie Newsome has openly admitted that the organization is “not satisfied” with the play of Matt Elam so far, so adding another safety is likely.

The Ravens are not done with their free agent search. They are looking for another safety. You can never have enough pass rushers in the NFL. The same can be said about offensive lineman. Here are a few high profile names that could be on the Ravens radar:

Dwight Freeney

The 35-year-old is serious candidate to make the Hall of Fame, and has continued to show that he still has what it takes to be effective in the NFL. The seven-time Pro Bowler has 111.5 sacks in his 11 year career, but has seen those numbers take a dip as he has transitioned from strictly a 4-3 defensive end to 3-4 tweener. With that, Freeney still performed well in his limited role with the San Diego Chargers in 2014 and would be a terrific addition off the bench to spell Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil on passing downs. 

Thomas DeCoud

DeCoud has been cut in each of the past two seasons, most recently by the Carolina Panthers after six years with the Atlanta Falcons. The seven-year veteran started 10 games for the Panthers at free safety, but was replaced by the end of the season. DeCoud’s career year came in his 2012 Pro Bowl season in which he recorded six interceptions and nine passes defended. DeCoud could possibly earn a starting gig somewhere in the league, but Baltimore gives him the best chance to win a championship as his career seems to be slowly coming to a end.

Quintin Demps

Demps had a disappointing 2014 season with the New York Giants, but the journeyman safety was relied on by New York to be a starter after only starting six games in his entire career prior to the season. That was more than the Giants wanted from Demps, as he ideally fills a role as a backup. The Ravens could be interested in the former Eagle, Texan and Chief because he plays safety, but also has value as a kick returner. He has a kick return average of 26.7 yards and has scored two touchdowns in 108 returns. His 2013 season with the Chiefs was his best season in the NFL, in which he had four interceptions and 10 passes defended while also sporting an average of 30.1 yards per kick return.

Brian de la Puente

De La Puente is a 29-year-old lineman who has been in the league for seven seasons, most recently with the Chicago Bears. He is known for his versatility, filling in at both guard and center in 2014 for former Bears coach and now current Ravens offensive coordinator Marc Trestman. The Bears offensive line transitioned well when future Hall of Famer Roberto Garza went down with an injury, and while Jeremy Zuttah held his own, some stiff competition at center wouldn’t hurt anyone.

Shaun Phillips

Phillips has been one of the better edge rushers for the past decade, but finds himself on the open market after being released by the Indianapolis Colts in February. At 33 years of age, Phillips still has some years left in the tank. Last season was a down year for Phillips, but he is just two years removed from a season in which he had 10 sacks for the Denver Broncos. Over the course of his 11-year career, he has recorded 81.5 sacks and was named to the Pro Bowl following the 2010 season. Phillips has exclusively played in a 3-4 system over the course of his career, and would be able to take the field immediately for Baltimore as a situational pass rusher.

Next: Cornerback Now A Position of Strength For Ravens

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