The Baltimore Ravens are looking to return to the playoffs for the fifth time in six years, but there are some familiar faces not currently with the team.
An offseason that started out with a major question has started to come together nicely for general manager Eric DeCosta and head coach John Harbaugh.
The Baltimore Ravens had a solid 10-7 showing in 2022 after finishing in last place in the AFC North with an 8-9 record the previous year. Granted, this past season ended with a loss at Cincinnati in the wild-card playoffs.
DeCosta has quarterback Lamar Jackson under contract and over the last few months the club added wide receivers Nelson Agholor, Odell Beckham Jr., and Zay Flowers, the latter a first-round pick in April. Still, there are some players that the Ravens have not opted to bring back, at least not at the moment.
3. RB Kenyan Drake
He's one of a slew of University of Alabama running backs that have had success in the NFL. However, as of this writing, Kenyan Drake is still on the open market. A third-round pick by the Miami Dolphins in 2016, he spent his first three-plus years in South Florida before being dealt to the Cardinals near the 2019 trade deadline.
He spent all of 2020 in the desert, joined the Las Vegas Raiders one year later, and played in 12 games with the Ravens this past season. He finished with more carries than any running back on the team (109) and ranked third on the club with 482 yards rushing and four touchdowns. Drake added 17 catches for 89 yards and one score. He tied for the team lead with five total TDs in 2022.
2. CB Marcus Peters
He's one of the more opportunistic defenders in the league. Cornerback Marcus Peters was a first-round pick by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2015. He was the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year for Andy Reid's club, He has always had a nose for the football, and has always known what to do with it once he gets his mitts on it.
The numbers speak for themselves. Peters has actually played in only seven seasons, missing all of 2021 with a torn ACL suffered less than a week before the start of the regular season. He has picked off an impressive 32 passes and returned six of those thefts for scores.
He has played in 104 regular-season contests. and is credited with 92 passes defensed. Peters has totaled 11 forced fumbles and finished with 10 fumble recoveries, returning one of those miscues for a touchdown. He's also been part of teams that have combined for seven playoff appearances.
As for his days in Baltimore, the three-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro has played in 37 regular-season contests for Harabugh's club. He's totaled eight interceptions, two returned for scores, and also totaled six forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, and a pair of sacks. Whom will he be playing football for this upcoming season?
1. OLB/DE Justin Houston
It's somewhat hard to believe that he is still on the open market. Then again, there are any number of veteran pass rushers that are still available for teams to sign. Performers such as Frank Clark, Yannick Ngakoue and Leonard Floyd have all yet to find new homes this season. So, will versatile and productiveJustin Houston wind up with another team or will he somehow make his way back to Baltimore for a third campaign with the club?
A year ago, the Ravens finished with 48 sacks, led by Houston (9.5), defensive linemen Calais Campbell (5.5) and Justin Madubuike (5.5), and linebacker Patrick Queen (5.0). It's worth noting that Campbell is now a member of the Atlanta Falcons, so a Ravens' reunion with Houston would not be so unlikely.
The 12-year veteran hasn't been to a Pro Bowl since 2015, but that doesn't mean he hasn't remained productive. Houston racked up 78.5 sacks, 14 forced fumbles, and a dozen takeaways in eight seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs.
In a combined four seasons with the Colts and Ravens since 2019, the defensive playmaker has added 33.0 sacks, six fumble recoveries, and five forced fumbles and has displayed his prowess in both the 3-4 and 4-3 defense.