Baltimore Ravens: 5 Big-name targets in 2018 NFL Free Agency

SEATTLE, WA - OCTOBER 29: Wide receiver Paul Richardson
SEATTLE, WA - OCTOBER 29: Wide receiver Paul Richardson /
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It’s been a disappointing five-year span for the Baltimore Ravens. What five players could the team look at in free agency to squash their recent problems?

It wasn’t all that long ago that reaching the playoffs was an annual ritual for the Baltimore Ravens. In head coach John Harbaugh’s first five seasons at the helm, the club went to the postseason each year. It reached the AFC title game three times and won Super Bowl XLV III in 2012.

Then came the departures and things have not been the same ever since. Sure, there was a wild-card berth claimed in 2014 and the Ravens went to Pittsburgh and defeated the Steelers in the first round of the playoffs. But in four of the last five seasons, the club has failed to reach the playoffs. All told, Baltimore owns a 40-40 regular season record since 2013.

This past year, the club appeared ready to get back to the postseason. All Harbaugh’s club had to do was hold serve at home against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 17. But the defense collapsed in the final minute and a 31-27 loss put the Buffalo Bills and not the Ravens in the playoffs.

So where does this franchise go from here there’s obviously some pieces still in place to make another playoff run. The defense is still one of the best in the league. General manager Ozzie Newsome is not usually not overly busy during the free agency period. But if the Ravens do decide to invest some bucks in some proven commodities, here are five performers who could fit into their plans.

Next: No. 5