Ravens Sign Three Players As NFL Free Agency Begins
The Baltimore Ravens were busy on the opening day of NFL free agency officially agreeing to terms with three free agents. The first signing was safety Marcus Williams. Williams deal if for five-years $70 million, with $37 million guaranteed.
Drafted in 2017 by the New Orleans Saints, Williams has been one of the best safeties in the NFL totaling 318 tackles, 38 pass deflections, and 15 interceptions. Williams was the highest rated safety in 2021 according to Pro Football Focus, and was considered by many to be one of the top free agents. The Ravens have been in dire need of a true center field safety, something the team has not had since the departure of Hall of Famer Ed Reed in 2012. Williams will look to make a huge impact in a secondary that ranked last in the NFL in passing defense.
The Ravens next signing was on the offensive side of the ball as the Ravens and offensive tackle Morgan Moses. The Ravens signed the 31-year old to a three year $15 million dollar deal $5.5 million fully guaranteed. Moses has been a dependable tackle playing in every game since 2015. Moses spent his first seven seasons in Washington before playing last season for the New York Jets. Moses is a versatile offensive lineman who also has the ability to play guard if needed. With the health of Ronnie Stanley still unclear for the start of the season Moses has an opportunity to be a starter along the Ravens offensive line come week one a position group that desperately needs to improve for 2022.
The Ravens finished off day one of free agency by bringing back linebacker Za’Darius Smith. Smith returns to Baltimore on a four-year deal worth $35 million deal, with incentives that could have the deal hit $50 million. Smith who was drafted by the Ravens in 2015 out of the University of Kentucky, spent his first four season in Baltimore before departing for Green Bay in the offseason of 2019. After signing a four-year $66 million deal with Green Bay, Smith lived up to his contract becoming a premier pass rusher. Since leaving the Ravens Smith has been a two-time pro bowler and has totaled 26 sacks since 2019. Smith will look to help the Ravens front seven that has struggled to get to opposing quarterbacks in recent seasons.
The Ravens and GM Eric DeCosta addressed three big needs for this Ravens team and did so by signing three proven veterans that can come in and make an immediate impact. With other holes needing to be filled its unlikely the Ravens are done looking at the remaining free agents still on the market.
The Ravens will hold an introductory press conference on Thursday at 11:30 a.m for safety Marcus Williams and offensive tackle Morgan Moses.
