Should the Ravens Bring Back Jadeveon Clowney?

With the draft and the bulk of free agency in the books, a couple of pundits assessed how teams have fared to this point in the offseason.

Regarding the AFC North, Fox Sports’ Ben Arthur said the Ravens improved their stock, while the stock of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cincinnati Bengals, and Cleveland Browns went down.

“The Ravens have supported Lamar Jackson this offseason, re-signing left tackle Ronnie Stanley and giving the star QB another weapon in veteran receiver DeAndre Hopkins,” Arthur wrote. “Safety Malaki Starks (first round, No. 27 overall) and edge rusher Mike Green (second round, No. 59 overall) were great value picks at positions of need.”

Arthur noted that the Steelers and Browns have question marks at quarterback, and the Bengals’ defense remains a concern.

Sports Illustrated’s Matt Verderame handed out his AFC North offseason report cards and gave the Ravens a B, saying that they (and the Steelers) “did nothing but continue to assert themselves as likely postseason contenders.”

“The Ravens can withstand the losses of [cornerback] Brandon Stephens and [offensive lineman] Patrick Mekari, especially with some younger talent from last year’s draft,” Verderame wrote. “Corner T.J. Tampa and right tackle Roger Rosengarten are set for big roles in 2025.

“In the draft, General Manager Eric DeCosta added to the defense with Starks and Green, the latter of whom is a value talentwise in the second round.”

The Steelers got an A- from Verderame based on the assumption that they will eventually sign quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

“If that doesn’t happen, Pittsburgh is in the familiar spot of having a good roster eventually submarined by sub-par quarterback play,” Verderame wrote. “With Rodgers, this is a team worth noting in an AFC that has long been about the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills and Ravens.”