Things have certainly been eventful for the Baltimore Ravens during 2026 NFL free agency, but all of the headlines and debate about an aborted trade and the subsequent acquisition of another 30-something multi-time Pro Bowler can’t mask the “real problems” this team faces coming out of the veteran market and preparing for this year’s draft.
Those problems were spelled out by Sports Illustrated’s Matt Verdarame. He believes “the Ravens have real problems. Yes, adding Trey Hendrickson will help alleviate some of the panic, and they’re a good team, but this is a very top-heavy group that’s aging. Outside of Zay Flowers and Kyle Hamilton, there isn’t much to be excited about when talking about under-age-29 talent. Baltimore is an older, expensive squad that lost a ton in free agency, including Tyler Linderbaum, Isaiah Likely, Jordan Stout, Patrick Ricard, Alohi Gilman and others. Not ideal.”
Verderame has raised some valid points general manager Eric DeCosta can’t ignore, but there’s another way to read the Ravens’ strategy in free agency. A reading from the book of DeCosta detailing a consistent message about favoring the draft over the veteran talent pool.
There’s also the fact not everybody thinks DeCosta and the Ravens missed the mark in free agency.
Ravens Geared Toward Familiar Draft Plan
Building through the draft has long been DeCosta’s preferred method for constructing a competitive roster. It’s usually worked, like in 2022, when DeCosta found multiple starting-level playmakers who have gone on to forge lucrative careers, per Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic.
Even though a good portion of this group have found new homes this offseason, sticking to the same plan is how the Ravens tip the balance away from the current post-age-29 slant that has Verderame concerned. Loading up on credible rookies shouldn’t be a problem when DeCosta will enter this draft armed with a hefty haul of 11 picks.
His draft capital remains top-heavy at the premium end because one of the few silver linings of the Ravens backing out of the proposed trade for All-Pro defensive end Maxx Crosby was the retention of two first-round picks, including the 14th-overall selection this year.
The latter choice could go toward fortifying the interior of an offensive line needing a new bluechip mauler on the inside after Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum moved on in free agency.
Linderbaum’s exit was one of many prominent defections from last season’s roster. The scale of the exodus may have some worried, but DeCosta is primed to retool in his favorite way, starting on Thursday, April 23.
He’s also got good reason to justify the Ravens making wholesale changes and leaning on experience.
Eric DeCosta Needs Roster Reset
The Ravens lost a lot of talent from last season, but it’s worth remembering that team failed to make the playoffs. Falling short cost longtime head coach John Harbaugh his job and left DeCosta under no-small pressure to skilfully reset a roster that had gone stale.
He’s opted to begin the process by putting his trust in veterans, notably, 31-year-old Trey Hendrickson. Choosing the five-time Pro Bowl edge-rusher was an efficient way to pivot from the wreckage of the ill-fated Crosby deal.
Hendrickson may be approaching the winter of his career, but he’s still posted the third-highest pressure rate in the league since 2023, according to Senior NFL Researcher Tony Holzman-Escareno.
1. Micah Parsons – 20.5% 2. Will Anderson Jr. – 18.0% 3. Trey Hendrickson – 17.8% 4. Nik Bonitto – 17.4% 5. Myles Garrett – 17.3% 6. Josh Hines-Allen – 16.6% 7. Bradley Chubb – 16.4%
Doubling up on pass-rush help by pairing Hendrickson with one of the top edge defenders from this draft class would make more sense of the Ravens’ free-agency plan.
Letting proven commodities like Hendrickson, 32-year-old running back Derrick Henry and left tackle Ronnie Stanley lead the way at key positions can quickly return the Ravens to the postseason. Provided DeCosta does his bit and gets this draft right.
Fortunately, recent history shows he can.
Eric DeCosta, Ravens Warned About ‘Real Problems’ After Free Agency