OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- NFL free agency is almost set to begin, and we're keeping track of every major signing, trade and release of the 2025 offseason, with analysis from our NFL Nation reporters and grades from our experts. The new league year began Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET, and free agent signings can then become official. The first round of the 2025 NFL draft begins April 24 on ESPN.
Here's a breakdown of every 2025 NFL free agent signing by the Baltimore Ravens:
Tylan Wallace, WR
Baltimore and Wallace agreed to a one-year deal.
What it means: The Ravens bring back a reserve wide receiver and quality special teams player who has been known to deliver big plays. In 2023, Wallace returned a punt 76 yards for the game-winning touchdown in overtime against the Los Angeles Rams. He will likely fill the No. 4 or No. 5 wide receiver spot and serve as a backup returner. Wallace is also a physical presence on special teams, participating in 56% of Baltimore's snaps. He is the third Ravens free agent to re-sign with the team, joining Stanley and Ricard.
What's the risk: If the Ravens need Wallace to take a bigger role in the passing attack, he has shown no consistent production offensively. In four seasons, he's totaled 18 catches for 260 yards and one touchdown. Wallace did flash at times last season, recording a 21-yard catch in the wild-card game against the Pittsburgh Steelers and a 27-yard reception in the divisional round against the Buffalo Bills.
DeAndre Hopkins, WR
Hopkins and Baltimore agreed to a one-year, $5 million deal.
What it means: The Ravens hope they found a No. 3 wide receiver for Lamar Jackson. Over the last two seasons, Baltimore signed veterans Odell Beckham Jr., Nelson Agholor and Diontae Johnson to fill that role but none caught more than 35 passes in a single season . A three-time first-team All-Pro, Hopkins provides the surest hands on the Ravens. Over the last five years, he is tied for sixth with a 1.5% drop rate among players with at least 200 targets. Hopkins is the first outside free agent signed by Baltimore this offseason.
What's the risk: How much does Hopkins have left? He turns 33 in June and is coming off the second-lowest receiving yard total (610) of his 12-year career. Hopkins is five years removed from his last Pro Bowl season. He is also no longer a threat to stretch the field. Last season, Hopkins recorded a career low with six receptions of 20 yards or longer. He is more of a possession receiver at this stage, averaging a career-worst 10.9 yards per reception last year.
Jake Hummel, LB
The Ravens are bringing in Hummel on a one-year deal.
What it means: The Ravens get much-needed help on their return and coverage teams. On the first day of free agency, Baltimore lost linebackers Malik Harrison (Steelers) and Chris Board (Giants), both of whom combined for 718 snaps on special teams last season. Hummel has been a special teams standout for the Rams. Last season, he recorded eight special teams tackles and blocked a punt that led to a touchdown.
What's the risk: Hummel hasn't made an impact outside of special teams. Over the last two seasons, he's totaled 117 defensive snaps and has made 27 tackles. Baltimore was able to count on Harrison and Board to contribute on defense as well as special teams throughout the years. It's unknown whether Hummel can do the same.
Patrick Ricard, FB
Baltimore and Richard agreed to a deal on Tuesday.
What it means: The Ravens bring back the biggest and most physical lead blocker in the game. At 6-foot-3, 311 pounds, Ricard has put defenders on their backs so often that he's garnered the nickname "Pancake Pat." Last season, he was named first-team All-Pro for the first time in his seven-year career after helping the NFL's No. 1 rushing attack average 5.8 yards per carry, which was the best in a single season in NFL history. The Ravens now return the powerful backfield tandem of Ricard and Derrick Henry.
"Any time [Ricard] is in front of me, I'm comfortable," Henry said last season.
What's the risk: Wear and tear. Ricard turns 31 in May and has been involved in some hard-hitting collisions over the years. The Ravens have tried to lighten the load for Ricard, who went from playing 64% of Baltimore's offensive snaps in 2021 to 39% in each of the last two seasons. Plus, there's not much risk considering it's a one-year deal worth around $3 million, according to a source. Ricard has also been very durable recently. The last time he missed a game was 2021.
Ronnie Stanley, OT
The Ravens retained Stanley on a three-year, $60 million deal.
What it means: Jackson is extremely happy. Baltimore fortified Jackson's blindside by retaining Stanley, who was considered the top left tackle available in free agency. The biggest surprise is the Ravens kept Stanley from hitting the open market with a modest deal by offensive linemen standards. Stanley's $20 million per season average is tied for eighth among left tackles. He is coming off his best season since a career-altering left ankle injury in 2020. Stanley allowed an average time to pressure of 3.39 seconds last season, which ranked as the fourth-best among left tackles, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. The Ravens don't have much salary cap room, but they were able to achieve their No. 1 priority in free agency.
What's the risk: Durability is the biggest concern for Stanley, who turns 31 before the start of the regular season. Since signing a five-year, $98.75 million deal midway through the 2020 season, he has missed 36 games over the past five seasons because of ankle, shoulder and knee injuries. But last season, when he received a per-game bonus, Stanley started every game for the first time in his nine-year career and played a career-high 1,089 snaps.
Ben Cleveland, OG
The Ravens are bringing Cleveland back.
What it means: The Ravens needed to add some veteran depth after losing two versatile offensive linemen in free agency: Patrick Mekari (Jaguars) and Josh Jones (Seahawks). The return of Cleveland is still a surprise because his playing time decreased to a career-low 49 offensive snaps last season. A third-round pick by Baltimore in 2021, Cleveland has proven effective when he has received playing time, but he's been limited to seven starts. Cleveland will compete with Andrew Vorhees, who is considered the frontrunner to take over as the starting left guard.
What's the risk: Cleveland's legal issues. On Feb. 12, Cleveland was arrested in Georgia for driving under the influence and failure to drive within a single lane, according to the booking report. His blood alcohol concentration was .178, over twice the legal limit of .08.
Cooper Rush, QB
The Ravens are bringing in the former Cowboys quarterback on a two-year deal worth $6.2 million (with max value of $12.2 million).
What it means: Lamar Jackson has a new backup. The addition of Rush is an upgrade over rarely used Josh Johnson, a 38-year-old journeyman who threw three passes last season as Baltimore's No. 2 quarterback. As a starter, Rush has a 9-5 record, throwing 18 touchdowns and eight interceptions. The Ravens have struggled without Jackson, going 4-10 since 2019 when he doesn't start. One of Rush's biggest strengths is not making costly mistakes, which is important for Baltimore. In games that Jackson hasn't started, the Ravens' QBs (Robert Griffin III, Tyler Huntley, Anthony Brown and Josh Johnson) have combined for nine touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
What's the risk: Rush has a much different playing style than Jackson. In the past, the Ravens have tried to go with dual-threat quarterbacks like Griffin and Huntley so the offense doesn't change drastically without Jackson. Rush lacks mobility. In five seasons, Rush has one run over 10 yards. His career average is 0.4 yards per rush -- a major difference from Jackson's 6.1-yard average.