Baltimore Ravens Could Add Final Roster Piece Before Training Camp to Solidify Depth and Bolster Super Bowl Hopes for 2024 Season
With training camp just around the corner, the Baltimore Ravens enter the 2024 NFL season as one of the league’s most well-rounded and dangerous teams. Fresh off a 13-4 campaign and a trip to the AFC Championship Game, Baltimore returns with the reigning league MVP in Lamar Jackson, a top-tier defense, a retooled rushing attack featuring Derrick Henry, and a coaching staff that’s proven capable of adapting and evolving.
Yet despite boasting a roster that rivals any in the NFL in terms of talent and depth, there remains a sense that general manager Eric DeCosta and head coach John Harbaugh might not be done. The Ravens are known for staying aggressive in building their team all the way up to the start of the season — and that philosophy may once again lead them to add one more key piece before training camp kicks off.
Whether it’s adding a veteran to bolster a position group hit by departures, bringing in competition to push young players, or finding insurance in case of injuries, Baltimore has a few areas that could benefit from a late-summer reinforcement. With Super Bowl expectations clearly on the table, the margin for error is slim — and one savvy signing could make all the difference come January.
At a glance, Baltimore’s roster is in as good a shape as any heading into the 2024 season. Lamar Jackson is locked in, supported by a strong run game and a receiving corps led by Zay Flowers, Mark Andrews, and Isaiah Likely. The defense — while dealing with some staff and personnel turnover — remains one of the league’s best, headlined by All-Pros Roquan Smith and Kyle Hamilton.
Baltimore has addressed many of its offseason needs already:
- They landed a superstar running back in Derrick Henry to pair with Jackson.
- They bolstered depth in the secondary through the draft.
- They brought back key contributors like Justin Madubuike and Geno Stone.
Still, no NFL roster is ever perfect — especially not one with serious championship ambitions. There are still a few positions where competition is thin, experience is lacking, or insurance might be needed. That’s where DeCosta’s track record of patience and precision in roster building comes into play.
Baltimore lost multiple starters this offseason along the offensive line, including guards Kevin Zeitler and John Simpson, and right tackle Morgan Moses. While the Ravens have promising replacements in-house — including Andrew Vorhees, Ben Cleveland, and rookie Roger Rosengarten — there are still question marks around experience and durability.
Left tackle Ronnie Stanley, though a former All-Pro, has struggled to stay healthy for multiple seasons. Behind him, the Ravens have utility lineman Patrick Mekari and the massive but still-developing Daniel Faalele. That’s not a bad situation, but it could quickly become problematic if injuries strike.
A veteran free agent like Dalton Risner, Greg Van Roten, or even someone like D.J. Fluker — who has flirted with an NFL comeback — could provide leadership, insurance, and valuable depth at multiple spots.
The cornerback position is perhaps the most uncertain area on the roster. While the Ravens are high on young players like Brandon Stephens, Jalyn Armour-Davis, and rookie T.J. Tampa, the departure of veteran Ronald Darby and the release of Marlon Humphrey’s longtime running mate Marcus Peters leave a leadership and experience gap.
Stephens had a breakout 2023 season, and Humphrey, if healthy, is still a Pro Bowl-level talent. But Humphrey is coming off an injury-plagued year, and the rest of the depth chart lacks starting experience. Adding a proven veteran like Steven Nelson, Casey Hayward, or even a reunion with Peters could stabilize the secondary and provide critical insurance against injuries.
The Ravens are hoping that young pass rushers like Odafe Oweh and David Ojabo make a leap in 2024. They also brought back Kyle Van Noy after a productive 2023 season and still have Tyus Bowser in the mix.
However, injuries and inconsistency have plagued the group in the past. Ojabo, for example, has played just a handful of games since being drafted in 2022. Oweh has shown flashes but hasn’t yet become a dominant force off the edge.
There are still a few proven veteran edge rushers available on the market, including Emmanuel Ogbah, Carl Lawson, and Markus Golden. Bringing in a situational pass rusher could help the Ravens rotate more freely and ensure they maintain pressure on opposing quarterbacks throughout the season.
Zay Flowers looks like a future star, and the Ravens are hoping Rashod Bateman finally enjoys a healthy season. Nelson Agholor returns after a solid campaign as a third option, and rookie Devontez Walker offers upside.
But as the Ravens learned in years past, wide receiver depth can evaporate quickly due to injuries. With Odell Beckham Jr. gone, the room is thinner than it appears on paper.
A low-cost signing of a veteran receiver — someone like Jarvis Landry, Hunter Renfrow, or even Julio Jones — could give the Ravens additional flexibility and another reliable target for Jackson, especially in key moments.
Tyler Huntley signed with the Cleveland Browns this offseason, leaving Josh Johnson and Malik Cunningham as the likely backup options behind Lamar Jackson.
Johnson is a seasoned veteran who knows the system, but he’s 38 years old. Cunningham, while athletic and intriguing, is still developing as a quarterback and has been used as a utility player more than a passer.
With Jackson’s injury history — he missed time in both 2021 and 2022 — the Ravens might consider adding another experienced backup like Nick Foles, Teddy Bridgewater, or even reuniting with Huntley if things don’t work out in Cleveland.
The Ravens currently have enough salary cap space to make at least one or two moderate signings. They’ve long excelled at finding value late in the offseason, particularly with veterans who prefer to wait until after minicamps and OTAs to sign with contenders.
Eric DeCosta has shown a willingness to be patient and pounce when the right opportunity arises. Last year, Baltimore added Jadeveon Clowney and Kyle Van Noy after training camp began — both became major contributors.
Similarly, the Ravens are likely evaluating the post-June 1 market and monitoring cuts from other teams. The waiver wire, trade options, and injury updates around the league could trigger another move.
Baltimore isn’t just aiming to make the playoffs. They’re aiming to win the Super Bowl — and the franchise knows this is a championship window that must be taken advantage of.
Lamar Jackson is in his prime, Derrick Henry is still a punishing force, and the defense remains elite. The front office has built a team capable of beating anyone — but one injury or one weak position group could be the difference between hoisting the Lombardi Trophy or watching someone else do it again.
With that in mind, it would be no surprise to see Baltimore bring in one final addition before camp. The Ravens aren’t trying to fill major holes — they’re trying to reinforce already strong areas with depth, experience, and insurance.
Adding one more smart piece could be the finishing touch on what is shaping up to be one of the most complete rosters in the NFL.
As training camp looms, the Ravens are in an enviable position. Their core is intact. Their coaching staff is motivated. And their quarterback is at the height of his powers. But NFL seasons are long, unpredictable, and grueling.
If Baltimore wants to ensure that 2024 ends differently than 2023 — with a Super Bowl instead of a frustrating near-miss — they must think proactively.
One more addition before camp could give this team exactly what it needs: that last bit of insurance, that final veteran voice, or that one playmaker who tips the balance in the postseason. In a league where championships are often decided by inches, the Ravens know that one final roster move could be the inch that pushes them over the top.
