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Ravens S Eddie Jackson A Healthy Scratch

November 16th, 2024 at 3:39pm CST by Ely Allen

The Ravens have been dealing with an uncharacteristically terrible pass defense in 2024. While fingers can be pointed at a disappointing linebacking corps or a rookie defensive coordinator, one of the clearest weaknesses on Baltimore’s defense has been abysmal veteran safety play. To wit, the team has announced that Eddie Jackson will be a healthy scratch for the second time this season and will not travel to Pittsburgh with the team.

Jackson’s second benching will mark the third time a Ravens veteran safety has been benched because of their poor play. Marcus Williams was benched earlier this year for the Ravens’ Week 8 loss to the Browns, a game in which Jackson performed so badly in coverage, he earned his first benching of the year the following week.

According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), out of 29 defensive players to see playing time in Baltimore, the five worst players come from the secondary with Jackson ranking 25th and Williams ranking 29th. PFF’s ranking of safeties league-wide sees Jackson rank 82nd and Williams rank 86th out of 87 graded players at the position.

While Jackson’s benching for this week continues a frustrating season for the Ravens’ secondary, it does come with a silver-lining. The team’s All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton left last week’s win over the Bengals with an ankle injury. It seems extremely unlikely that Baltimore would bench a healthy Jackson if there was any chance that Hamilton would miss this week’s divisional matchup. Hamilton missed practice Wednesday and was limited on Thursday but fully participated yesterday and should be good to go tomorrow.

Still, the Ravens are desperate to see improvements in the secondary in Week 11. Lately, the team has been utilizing former undrafted defensive back Ar’Darius Washington, who has bounced back and forth between safety and cornerback, in the slot, allowing Hamilton to play a bit more often at his natural safety spot. Washington performed phenomenally in the role last week, but Williams’ struggles continued to bite the defense.

Baltimore will continue to throw things against the wall in hopes that something will stick. This week, the strategy is keeping Jackson from being able to hurt the defense against a hot-handed Russell Wilson.

AFC North Notes: Steelers, Powers, Wills

November 15th, 2024 at 3:36pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Steelers are not expected to re-sign offensive linemen Dan Moore and James Daniels after the 2024 season, according to Mark Kaboly of the Pat McAfee Show.

Moore is in the final year of his rookie contract with 58 career starts at left tackle for the Steelers, a solid return for the fourth-round pick used to draft him in 2021. However, he allowed at least seven sacks in each of his first three seasons, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required), and Pittsburgh used first-round draft picks on tackles in 2023 and 2024, signaling a desire to upgrade at the position. Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu primarily played left tackle in college, giving the Steelers multiple options to take over on the blindside in 2025.

Daniels started just four games at guard this year before tearing his Achilles, which will likely end his tenure in Pittsburgh. Daniels signed a three-year, $26.5MM contract with the Steelers in 2022 and largely played well over the last three years. However, the seven-year veteran will be looking to cash in on the massive increase in the guard market. Pittsburgh may not be inclined to spend so much at guard after drafting Zach Frazier and Mason McCormick this past year, especially with T.J. Watt and George Pickens in line for extensions at more expensive positions.

  • Browns left tackle Jedrick Wills said on Monday that his recent benching “was pretty shocking,” per Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot. “I made a business decision not to play after the Bengals game going into that Ravens game because I was injured,” explained Wills. He hyperextended his right knee on the first play against the Bengals in Week 7 and managed to finish the game but “couldn’t really bend” his knee the following day. He sat out Week 8 against the Ravens and was subsequently benched for Dawand Jones. Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said that “business decision” was a “poor choice of words” by Wills, though it would not affect whether or not he would play again this year, per Cabot. Stefanski also hinted that Willis’ 2023 injury is still hampering him. “I wouldn’t categorize it as a setback,” said Stefanski, per The Athletic’s Zac Jackson. “It hasn’t recovered how quickly he would want it to…it’s been a tough rehab for him.” Wills opted for surgery last year to repair his torn MCL – in the same knee he hyperextended recently – and did not debut until Week 3 this year. Wills is currently in the final year of his rookie contract, and his health issues may complicate extension negotiations with the Browns.
  • Broncos left guard Ben Powers confirmed he didn’t receive an offer to re-sign with the Ravens when he hit free agency in 2023, according to Chris Thomasson of The Denver Gazette. “I didn’t hear from them,” said Powers, who signed with the Broncos on a four-year, $52MM deal and returned to Baltimore for the first time in Week 9. However, the sixth-year guard didn’t hold it against Baltimore, saying that he “kind of understood their situation. That was the offseason they were handling [Lamar Jackson‘s] contract, so I kind of anticipated it.”
  • Steelers offensive line coach Pat Meyer will be expected to develop his group of young blockers over the next few seasons as Pittsburgh figures out a long-term plan at quarterback. Meyer in his third year with the team after Shaun Sarrett was fired after the 2020 season and his successor, Adrian Klemm, left for Oregon before the end of 2021. His departure was related to tensions with then-offensive coordinator Matt Canada, per Kaboly. The Steelers then fired Canada in November 2023, the franchise’s first in-season coaching change since 1941.

Ravens Trade For Calais Campbell Fell Short

November 9th, 2024 at 10:18pm CST by Ben Levine

The Ravens were especially aggressive at the trade deadline as they looked to improve their defense. The team made an aggressive bid for Marshon Lattimore before landing Tre’Davious White from the Rams. If the front office had their way, they also would have reunited with an old friend.

[RELATED: Ravens Acquire CB Tre’Davious White From Rams]

According to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, the Ravens were close to completing a trade with the Dolphins for defensive tackle Calais Campbell. However, the deal ultimately fell apart at the last minute.

The veteran defensive lineman had a three-year stint in Baltimore between 2020 and 2022, starting 40 of his 41 appearances. Over that span, he collected 11 sacks, 14 tackles for loss, and 36 QB hits, and he got into another three playoff games for the organization. Campbell was cut by the team at the end of the 2022 campaign and caught on with the Falcons, where he spent one season.

The 38-year-old joined the Dolphins this past offseason and has started all eight of his appearances for his new squad, collecting 28 tackles and two sacks. Despite getting up there in age, Campbell still ranks fourth on Pro Football Focus’ rankings of interior defensive lineman, an improvement from his 23rd-place showing in 2023. The Ravens could have used some DL depth with Michael Pierce sitting on injured reserve and Brent Urban dealing with a concussion.

As for the trade they did make, Breer notes that White agreed to remove all playing-time incentives to help facilitate a trade to Baltimore.

Ravens Offered Third-Round Pick For Marshon Lattimore

November 8th, 2024 at 10:10pm CST by Ely Allen

The Ravens’ trade deadline moves were a bit anticlimactic, especially considering that Baltimore is thought to be a contender in a championship window who should be receiving the full allotment of compensatory draft picks in 2025. It appears that the Ravens’ lackluster result wasn’t necessarily for lack of trying, as Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reports that Baltimore put in an offer to trade for former Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore.

According to Breer, the Ravens offered up a third-round pick for the veteran cornerback. Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports adds that this was initially a battle of the AFC’s top contenders as the Chiefs and Ravens each attempted to acquire Lattimore, but Washington, a blooming contender in their own right, swooped in at the final moment to outbid them.

Per Schultz, the Commanders saw their extensive draft capital in the upcoming offseason and their top-four cap space for 2025 and decided to acquire Lattimore as another building block for the next few seasons. Breer reports that Lattimore initially wasn’t even being made available. It wasn’t until former head coach Dennis Allen got fired that the Saints started hearing out offers on the defender.

He adds that Lattimore wasn’t the only Ravens trade target for whom the team fell short. Breer relays that Baltimore also was on the homestretch to reacquire defensive lineman Calais Campbell from the Dolphins. The aging veteran spent three years with the Ravens from 2020-22, making a Pro Bowl (the sixth of his career) during his time with the team. In eight games in Miami this year, Campbell hasn’t really shown his usual production but still could’ve been a crucial addition to a Ravens defensive line that applies plenty of pressure but often struggles to finish.

Instead, the Ravens held on to their likely 11 draft picks for 2025 (seven rounds plus four compensatory picks), acquiring wide receiver Diontae Johnson from the Panthers for a 2025 late-round pick swap and oft-injured veteran cornerback Tre’Davious White and the Rams 2027 seventh-round pick for a seventh- of their own in 2026.

One of the league’s more consistent franchises when it comes to the draft, those 11 picks can be crucial for the future, but it’s likely frustrating for fans who watch the team’s 32nd-ranked pass defense and who realize just how quickly championship windows can close.

Ravens Activate Keaton Mitchell For Season Debut

November 7th, 2024 at 3:16pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Ravens have officially activated Keaton Mitchell from the Physically Unable to Perform list after his recovery from last season’s ACL tear.

The second-year running back electrified the league as an undrafted rookie, picking up first downs on 19 of his 47 carries for 396 yards and an average of 8.4 yards per carry. He ruptured his ACL in Week 15, ending his season and sidelining him into the 2024 regular season.

After dealing with major injuries to J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards, and Justice Hill in recent years, the Ravens took a conservative approach with Mitchell by ensuring that he would not take on a heavy load upon his return. Derrick Henry has served as Baltimore’s primary ballcarrier with Justice Hill taking snaps on passing downs, allowing Mitchell to slowly ramp up his workload as a change-of-pace back throughout the game.

If Mitchell is able to recapture his uncatchable speed from last season, the Ravens’ already-potent offense will become even more deadly. Lamar Jackson is a frontrunner for his third MVP, and Henry merits consideration of his own. Zay Flowers has at least 100 receiving yards in four of his last five games, bringing him to fifth in the NFL with 654 yards on the year. Adding Mitchell as a ballcarrier and pass-catcher out of the backfield may be too much for any defense to stop.

The Ravens waived edge rusher Yannick Ngakoue to make room for Mitchell on the 53-man roster ahead of their Thursday night matchup with the Bengals. Baltimore also used standard practice squad elevations on linebacker Kristian Welch and defensive tackle Josh Tupou, who spent his last six NFL seasons in Cincinnati.

Ravens Waive Yannick Ngakoue; Keaton Mitchell Could Return In Week 10

November 7th, 2024 at 12:12pm CST by Adam La Rose

Yannick Ngakoue returned to the Ravens in late September, and shortly thereafter he found himself on the team’s active roster. The veteran edge rusher’s time in the organization may be coming to an end, however.

Ngakoue is being waived, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. All players let go after the trade deadline are subject to waivers, putting them at risk of being claimed by an interested team. Should Ngakoue clear, though, Schefter notes the Ravens plan to retain him via a practice squad deal.

The 29-year-old had a quiet free agent market before electing to return to Baltimore early in the regular season. Between gameday elevations and time spent on the 53-man roster, Ngakoue totaled five appearances; over that span he recorded 1.5 sacks and five QB pressures. Having logged only a 25% snap share this season, the Maryland product’s limited role could help his chances of passing through unclaimed.

On the other hand, a number of teams were connected to the pursuit of an edge rush addition before this week’s trade deadline. The Cardinals (Baron Browning), Lions (Za’Darius Smith) and Steelers (Preston Smith) all made moves on that front. Other teams – such as the Falcons – have shown interest in that area, and with the Giants electing to retain Azeez Ojulari the waiver wire represents the last remaining avenue (aside from in-season free agency, of course) for teams to make roster additions.

The decision to waive Ngakoue hours before the start of Baltimore’s Thursday night matchup is an indication a corresponding roster move could be coming. That could very well be the activation of running back Keaton Mitchell; a Week 10 return had previously been pointed to by head coach John Harbaugh, and NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo noted this morning an activation could be in play (video link). Indeed, the second-year back practiced in full this week, leading to the expectation he will debut tonight, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

After signing with the Ravens as an undrafted free agent, Mitchell did not make his NFL debut until Week 6 last season. During his brief period in the lineup, the East Carolina product flashed considerable potential with a yards per carry average of 8.4. An ACL tear ended his promising rookie campaign, however, and he has remained on the PUP list since roster cutdowns.

The Ravens opened Mitchell’s practice window just over two weeks ago, so he does not need to be activated in time for tonight’s matchup with the Bengals. If that does take place, though, the 22-year-old will look join a backfield which has enjoyed considerable success in 2024 with Derrick Henry and Justice Hill leading the way.

2024 NFL Trades

November 5th, 2024 at 10:06pm CST by Sam Robinson

We have reached the 2024 trade deadline, which came one week later than the league’s usual endpoint. An offseason measure to move the deadline back one week passed, sliding the deadline beyond Week 9 after it had resided the Tuesday following Week 8 since 2012. That opened the door to more activity this year.

The 2024 offseason also featured extensive work, as teams added starters and depth pieces. Here are the trades involving veteran players (or rookies already drafted) to take place this year:

March 4

Bears chose defensive end Austin Booker at No. 144

March 9

Broncos sent Seahawks No. 136, included 203 in trade with Jets for QB Zach Wilson

March 10

Patriots chose QB Joe Milton at 193

March 11

Bucs drafted WR Jalen McMillan at No. 92; Lions traded No. 201 to Eagles

Panthers traded down from No. 39, giving Rams access to DT Braden Fiske; team moved No. 141 in Bills deal that sent WR Xavier Legette to Carolina. Giants chose RB Tyrone Tracy at 166.

March 12

Bengals chose DB Daijahn Anthony at No. 224 

March 13

Texans traded No. 232 to Vikings

Ravens chose WR Devontez Walker at No. 113, QB Devin Leary at 218; Jets drafted RB Braelon Allen at 134

March 14

Commanders traded Nos. 78, 152 to Eagles in trade that sent CB Cooper DeJean to Philadelphia; Seahawks moved down from No. 102, drafted G Sataoa Laumea at 179

Bolts traded No. 110 to Patriots 

March 15

Steelers chose LB Payton Wilson at No. 98; Eagles traded No. 120 to Dolphins in package that brought back 2025 third-rounder

March 16

Fields must play in 51% of Steelers’ offensive snaps for pick to elevate from sixth to fourth round

March 22

Chiefs traded No. 221 to Bills; Titans chose OLB Jaylen Harrell at 252

March 29

Pick would have become second-rounder had Reddick played 67.5% of Jets’ 2024 defensive snaps and recorded at least 10 sacks. Reddick’s holdout ensured Philly’s pick will land in Round 3.

April 3

Texans dealt No. 189 to Lions for Nos. 205, 249

April 12

Browns chose CB Myles Harden at No. 227

April 22

In trade that gave Vikings J.J. McCarthy draft real estate at No. 10 overall, Jets sent No. 203 to Minnesota; Broncos chose C Nick Gargiulo at 256

April 27

May 9

August 9

August 11

August 14

Dallas carried Phillips on its active roster for two games, meeting minimum requirement for conditional sixth to transfer

August 22

Pick did not convey due to Commanders cutting York before he played in two games with team

August 23

August 24

August 26

August 27

August 28

October 14

October 15

Pick would upgrade to second-rounder if Adams earns first- or second-team All-Pro recognition or is on Jets’ active roster for 2024 AFC championship game or Super Bowl LIX

October 23

Pick would become fourth-rounder if Hopkins both plays 60% of Chiefs’ remaining offensive snaps and Kansas City advances to Super Bowl LIX

October 28

October 29

Robinson’s playing time will determine if Jags pick climbs to a fourth-rounder and whether Vikings will end up receiving 2026 seventh

November 4

November 5

Sixth-rounder going to New Orleans comes from pick Saints sent Commanders for John Ridgeway 

Minor NFL Transactions: 11/5/24

November 5th, 2024 at 9:07pm CST by Ely Allen

Tuesday’s minor moves:

Baltimore Ravens

Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers

Cincinnati Bengals

Dallas Cowboys

Green Bay Packers

Kansas City Chiefs

Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Rams

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

Philadelphia Eagles

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Washington Commanders

Free Agent

We don’t have a reason for Moreland’s suspension yet, but we know that it will last three weeks. He hasn’t played in the NFL since 2021, but if a team were to sign him, he wouldn’t be available for three games.

DT Brandon Williams Retires With Ravens

November 5th, 2024 at 8:16pm CST by Ely Allen

Old Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome was often known to dip into the lower levels of collegiate football and pluck diamonds out of the rough. A prime example would be Missouri Southern defensive tackle Brandon Williams. The Division II athlete spent nine of his 10 NFL seasons in Baltimore and retired today with his long-time team, per Ravens staff writer Clifton Brown.

Taken at the back end of the third round in 2013, Williams arrived in Charm City to mixed expectations. With All-Pro defensive tackle Haloti Ngata nearing the end of his reign in Baltimore and former second-round pick Terrence Cody failing to live up to his draft stock, the Ravens took a swing on Williams hoping that he may be the defensive tackle of the future for a storied NFL defense.

As a rookie, Williams only appeared in seven games as he grew accustomed to the increased speed and level of talent in the NFL. Still, in limited time, Williams shone, with Pro Football Focus (subscription required) ranking him the 19th best interior defender of 201 graded players at the position. Once he took over as a full-time starter the following year, his graded excellence continued with the increased playing time. His highest rankings came in 2014 and 2015, when he ranked 12th of 199 players and 15th of 221 players, respectively.

By 2016, Williams was firmly entrenched as an immovable force in the middle of the defensive line. While he never stunned with his pass rushing abilities, he was renowned for his run stopping prowess. Also by this time, the Ravens had finally found a suitable player to pair with Williams in the middle after signing another small school defender in undrafted Samford defensive tackle Michael Pierce, who rejoined the Ravens in 2022 after two years away from the team.

Near the end of his career, Williams struggled with some minor injuries that kept him out for a couple games each year, but he still remained a reliable interior defender on some of the NFL’s better defenses in Baltimore. He spent his final year in the NFL with the Chiefs in 2022, playing five games (and three more in the playoffs) and winning a Super Bowl on the Kansas City roster.

Williams got his ring with the Chiefs but gave his best years, which included a Pro Bowl selection in 2018, to the Ravens. In 10 years of NFL football, Williams made 114 starts in 128 games, recording 325 total tackles, 34 tackles for loss, 21 quarterback hits, and seven sacks. His last game came with the Chiefs in their Super Bowl win over the Eagles. He’ll now ride off into the sunset with that Super Bowl victory but will do so as a member of his long-time team in Baltimore.

Ravens Acquire CB Tre’Davious White From Rams

November 5th, 2024 at 2:26pm CST by Adam La Rose

Tre’Davious White is indeed on the move, with the Rams having found a suitor for the veteran corner. White is headed to the Ravens, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. The teams have now announced the deal.

This deal will include a future late-round pick swap. Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Los Angeles is sending White to Baltimore along with a 2027 seventh-round pick. The team will receive a 2026 seventh-rounder in return.

Baltimore’s pass defense has struggled for much of the year; the team ranks dead last in passing yards allowed per game this season, a stark contrast to its No. 1 position against the run. To no surprise, then, help in the secondary has been sought out, with Dianna Russini of The Athletic noting the Ravens have been making calls on that front for days. The team was in the running for Marshon Lattimore, but this move represents a notable contingency plan.

White saw a heavy workload early in the season, his first with the Rams. Los Angeles was dealing with a number of injuries at the cornerback spot, thrusting the former Bill into an unplanned full-time role. More recently, however, White has been a healthy scratch. As a result, discussions between team and player took place regarding a potential trade. The two-time Pro Bowler will now start over in the hopes of landing a regular defensive role.

When healthy, White was one of the league’s more productive corners. His Buffalo tenure included double-digit appearances for each of its first five seasons, but injuries have been a major issue since then. The 29-year-old played only 10 games between the 2022 and ’23 campaigns, and he suffered an Achilles tear last October. That helped inform Buffalo’s decision to move on this offseason and limited the former All-Pro to a one-year deal.

That pact carries a base salary of just $1.5MM for the year, making this a very cost-effective addition on Baltimore’s part. Expectations will be tempered upon arrival, however. White was charged with four touchdowns and an opposing passer rating of 138.4 during his time in the Rams’ lineup, and improvement in coverage will be needed for him to earn snaps on defense. At a minimum, White will provide Baltimore with additional depth in the secondary as consistency is sought for the second half of the campaign.

The Ravens have Marlon Humphrey, pending free agent Brandon Stephens and first-round rookie Nate Wiggins atop their CB depth chart. White is unlikely to see much time in the slot with Arthur Maulet healthy, but he could handle a rotational workload along the perimeter. Succeeding in any capacity – and remaining healthy, of course – will help his 2025 free agent market.

Baltimore recently added at the receiver spot by acquiring Diontae Johnson from the Panthers. The team has now made a depth move on defense, mirroring the Steelers’ path ahead of the deadline (with Pittsburgh acquiring Mike Williams and then Preston Smith on Tuesday). Both teams have six wins on the year, positioning them for a pair of critical divisional matchups later in the season. Several new faces will be in place for those contests.

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