Ravens’ tried-and-true model may also benefit from doses of aggression
· Yahoo Sports
For years, the identity of the Baltimore Ravens has been clear: draft well, develop better, and avoid the kind of reckless spending that traps franchises in long-term cap trouble. That philosophy started under Ozzie Newsome and has continued under Eric DeCosta.
The latter, as you know, is Baltimore's current GM and, without question, one of the best in the business. He recently reinforced that mindset during an appearance on The Inner Circle Podcastwith Aaron Donald. When asked about the possibility of being more aggressive during the coming free-agency frenzy, he responded with an answer that probably won't shock anyone.
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“I don’t get as involved with free agency, so I’m not gonna spend as much time. We don’t spend a lot of money in free agency. We’ve never been a free agency team. We’re a draft and develop team.”
He's not wrong. That approach has produced sustained success, regular playoff appearances, and one of the NFL's most reliable roster-building pipelines, but free agency isn't just about splashy signings or reckless spending. IT can be a valuable tool.
When used selectively, it can patch immediate holes, elevate a contender, or push a strong roster over the top. For a team that consistently drafts well, calculated aggression in March doesn't have to abandon the blueprint. It can complement it.
Recent actions (and results) suggest that slight shifts in Eric DeCosta's FA strategy aren't always bad ideas.
Baltimore typically prioritizes retaining its own players. They protect compensatory picks and find value signings. They'd rather do that than win bidding wars in March. A perfect recent example was the low-risk, one-year deal they signed DeAndre Hopkins to last spring.
But here's where nuance matters. DeCosta has also shown he's willing to strike aggressively when the moment calls for it. The additions of veterans in recent offseasons, including high-profile moves such as the acquisitions of Derrick Henry and Jaire Alexander, prove that Baltimore isn't philosophically opposed to spending. It instead suggests they're strategically selective about when to spend.
This offseason may be a time when leaning a little more into free agency makes sense.
Roster turnover, looming contract decisions, and competitive urgency around a championship window with Lamar Jackson all point toward a team that could justify targeted external reinforcements. If that happens, ignoring the top few tiers of free agents entirely might be more limiting than discipline.
The smartest path probably isn't abandoning the Ravens' identity. It's evolving it. 'Draft-and-develop' should remain the foundation. That's Baltimore's competitive advantage, but pairing that with carefully chosen impact signings, especially at positions of immediate need, could accelerate the roster rather than maintain it.
In other words, the Ravens don't need to become a free-agency team. They just need to be willing to act like one when the opportunity is right. If history is any indication, DeCosta already understands that balance better than most, even if he claims his theories and loyalties lie elsewhere.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens’ tried-and-true model may also benefit from doses of aggression