The Baltimore Ravens have a significant number of players set to be free agents in 2022. The biggest issue for the Ravens will be on defense, as the vast majority of their impending free agents play on that side of the ball. With an average cap situation (but a looming Lamar Jackson extension), Baltimore will need to make hard decisions as they determine which players to retain and which ones to let go.
Baltimore Ravens free agents in 2022
Following the conclusion of the 2021-22 NFL season, the Ravens have 25 players with expiring contracts. 15 of them will be unrestricted free agents, two are restricted free agents, and eight are exclusive rights free agents.
All players are unrestricted free agents unless stated.
- Calais Campbell | DE
- Brandon Williams | DT
- Sammy Watkins | WR
- Patrick Ricard | FB
- Jimmy Smith | CB
- Justin Houston | DE
- Chris Board | LB
- Justin Ellis | DT
- L.J. Fort | LB
- Latavius Murray | RB
- Pernell McPhee | LB
- Devonta Freeman | RB
- Anthony Averett | CB
- Tyler Huntley | QB (ERFA)
- Trystan Colon | C (ERFA)
- Kristian Welch | LB (ERFA)
- Geno Stone | S (ERFA)
- Nick Moore | LS (ERFA)
- Chris Westry | CB (ERFA)
- Aaron Crawford | DT (ERFA)
- DeShon Elliott | S
- Bradley Bozeman | C
- Khalil Dorsey | CB (ERFA)
- Otaro Alaka | LB (RFA)
- Brandon Knight | OT (RFA)
Top Ravens offensive free agents
The Ravens’ main free agents on offense are expendable skill position players. Let’s take a look at the most prominent free agents on offense.
Sammy Watkins | WR
The Ravens have dedicated a lot of resources to trying to find Jackson some wide receivers. One of the most inexplicable signings was Watkins. After failing to produce in a prolific Rams offense, Sammy Watkins failed to produce while playing with Patrick Mahomes for three years. Unsurprisingly, he did more harm than good for the Ravens in 2021.
After spending early-round picks on Rashod Bateman, Devin Duvernay, and Marquise Brown over the past three drafts, the Ravens have a wide receiving corps for the foreseeable future. There’s no logical reason to re-sign Watkins, but at 29 years old, Watkins will undoubtedly find a job somewhere. Perhaps another team can turn him into a productive role player.
Latavius Murray and Devonta Freeman | RB
It’s unclear what the Ravens plan to do at running back. They did not plan to roster either Latavius Murray or Devonta Freeman in 2021, but their hand was forced when they lost J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards, and Justice Hill to season-ending injuries prior to the start of the season.
Entering 2022, all three are expected to be ready to go. Freeman showed more juice than Murray, but the two flip-flopped usage for much of the season. Ultimately, I do not expect either back in Baltimore. The most likely scenario for both backs is they remain unemployed deep into the summer and perhaps through the start of the season. Eventually, injuries will pile up and someone will come calling.
Tyler Huntley | QB
I normally don’t bother discussing backup quarterbacks, but Tyler Huntley is one of the best second-string QBs in the NFL. He played quite well in relief of Jackson this past season.
The bad news for Huntley is he’s at the mercy of the Ravens. As an exclusive rights free agent, all they have to do is extend him an offer at the veteran’s minimum to lock him up for the 2022 season. Perhaps they will look to do right by him and allow him to sign a lucrative deal elsewhere. The most likely scenario is they sign him and look to extract maximum value by trading him to a QB-needy team.
Top Ravens defensive free agents
The Ravens have a significant number of defensive players hitting free agency. This is a unit that was ravaged by injury in 2021. But it remains formidable when healthy — if, of course, they can bring back their top guys.
Calais Campbell | DE
Calais Campbell has played the best football of his career after the age of 30. Prior to 2021, he made four straight Pro Bowls. Although Campbell missed the cut this past season, he was still a very effective player for the Ravens.
The only thing we know about Campbell entering his age-36 season is he has committed to continuing his career. Whether that will be in Baltimore remains to be seen.
The Ravens are interested in bringing him back, but he made $12.5 million in 2021, and the Ravens have just over $8 million salary cap space, according to Spotrac.
Campbell will likely sign a one- or two-year deal with a contender. At this point, I’d say his odds of returning to the Ravens are 50/50.
Brandon Williams | DT
Perhaps the most important impending free agent for the Ravens is Brandon Williams. The 336-pound defensive tackle is the core of Baltimore’s run defense.
Williams is older as well at 33 years of age, but he’s shown no signs of slowing down. He’s been with the Ravens his entire career and both sides have expressed an interest in keeping it that way. If Williams does end up leaving, it will likely be due to salary cap constraints. I expect both sides to work out a mutually beneficial deal to extend Williams’ time in Baltimore.