Baltimore Ravens: Shane Ray leads cast of veteran signings

The reigning AFC North champion Baltimore Ravens had not done a lot in terms of signing veteran free agents this offseason until the past week.

Thanks to a strong stretch run this past season, the Baltimore Ravens were able to overcome a 4-5 start to finish 10-6 and win the AFC North. The team came up short at home in the AFC Wild Card Playoffs via a 23-17 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. It marked the first time the club was one-and-out in the postseason in seven tries under head coach John Harbaugh.

It’s been quite the offseason for the franchise. First, 11-year veteran Joe Flacco was dealt to the Denver Broncos. Veteran safety Eric Weddle was released and signed with the Los Angeles Rams. And the team’s list of free-agent departures also included outside linebackers Terrell Suggs (Arizona Cardinals) and Za’Darius Smith (Green Bay Packers), inside linebacker C.J. Mosley (New York Jets) and deep threat John Brown (Buffalo Bills).

New general manager Eric DeCosta went out and did a little work during free agency, in particular adding veteran free safety Earl Thomas (Seattle Seahawks) and running back Mark Ingram (New Orleans Saints). The Ravens also selected eight players in April’s draft. But over the last week, DeCosta opted to add a little more experience.

So what kind of impact could the following veterans have on the Baltimore Ravens’ fortunes this fall? It’s safe to say the club has added three very interesting performers to a roster that has made a lot of changes from the team that opened the 2018 season.