Baltimore Ravens upgrade trenches with Morgan Moses signing
By Andrew Kim
The Baltimore Ravens get some much-needed help in the trenches on offense, signing tackle Morgan Moses.
With Alejandro Villanueva retiring this offseason, Baltimore had a massive void at right tackle that needed to be addressed this offseason. Morgan Moses fits the bill, as he brings durability to the position and a veteran presence, playing in every game for both the New York Jets and Washington essentially in his eight-year career, not counting his rookie year.
Left tackle is still a question mark, as Ronnie Stanley tried to come back from his season-ending injury last year but ultimately had to shut it down right after the season began. Moses has some experience on the left side (2020) but he is primarily a run blocking type at right tackle that the Ravens typically covet in their scheme.
Baltimore still has Ja’Wuan James from the last offseason, who they signed to a two-year deal, but he hasn’t made his debut yet with the Ravens coming off a season-ending injury. Tyre Phillips, who also missed games in 2021, struggled on the right side at tackle and is suited best at guard.
Patrick Mekari was extended to a three-year-deal before last season ended and he offers versatility. He is able to fill in at the right tackle spot or at center or guard if need be as a potential starter. But they were missing another body to potentially compete on the right side and give the Ravens some insurance since Mekari missed games last year.
According to Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic, Morgan Moses signed a three-year deal with the Baltimore Ravens; as he will make around $5 mil per year that is worth $15 mil total, with $5.5 mil in guaranteed, unofficially.
The Ravens could look to the NFL Draft to find another tackle, as they are still missing a potential replacement for Stanley if he can’t go to start the season or a developmental prospect that can backup behind Moses to start off to then eventually replace him as the incumbent starter. A center and/or guard is also a possibility in the draft, as Bradley Bozeman is still a free agent and the left guard spot is still up for grabs.
The Ravens are definitely winners for the early stages of free agency, at least on paper. Bringing in more protection for Lamar Jackson, in Morgan Moses, at a position of need at right tackle was a priority. Adding a top safety, in Marcus Williams, gives them a true rangy ball-hawking safety that they lacked last season.
These acquisitions in free agency, so far, give the Baltimore Ravens the flexibility to who they will select at pick 14; whether that be a front seven defender, an offensive lineman, or a cornerback. There is still plenty of time before the NFL Draft and free agency is just getting started, so I envision even more moves to potentially be made.