Ranking Baltimore Ravens' Best Remaining Free-Agency Options

The first wave of NFL free agency has come and gone.

Unfortunately for the Baltimore Ravens, they are not the same team that made it to the divisional round of the playoffs last season. They've been unable to sign the big-name free agents who quickly went off the market once the signing period opened. The Ravens also lost several of their own to free agency.

Torrey Smith, Pernell McPhee, Owen Daniels, Darian Stewart and Chris Canty were all key starters last year, but they all left the team this offseason via free agency.

Then there's All-Pro defensive lineman Haloti Ngata, who was traded to the Detroit Lions after not agreeing to restructure his contract and lower his 2015 cap number.

All of these losses have left Baltimore with several big needs to fill as the second wave of free agency continues. There's still plenty of quality players on the market who can help the Ravens get back to the playoffs in 2015. 

Here is a look at who fits that bill. I've ranked the players based on how much of an impact they could have on the Ravens next season. 

WR Brandon Lloyd

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After losing Torrey Smith in free agency, Baltimore must sign another receiver capable of stretching the field. Steve Smith, Marlon Brown, Kamar Aiken and Michael Campanaro simply aren't going to do that. 

The best deep-threat receiver still on the market is probably Brandon Lloyd. While he doesn't have much left in the tank, Lloyd could be a nice bridge option that helps Baltimore find a long-term plan in the NFL draft.

Lloyd would give Baltimore someone who would stretch the field and take advantage of Joe Flacco's big arm. 

The 33-year-old caught just 14 passes for 294 yards and one touchdown in 2014. However, that was in a run-heavy 49ers offense that featured Michael Crabtree and Anquan Boldin as the top receiving options when Colin Kaepernick did throw.

Even with so few catches, Lloyd's 21 yards-per-catch average shows he's still the viable deep threat Baltimore needs to allow Flacco to utilize his big arm. 

TE Rob Housler

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The Ravens are in need of a veteran tight end after losing Owen Daniels to the Denver Broncos. 

While Phillip Supernaw and Crockett Gillmore may be capable of being quality pass-catchers, they're too young and inexperienced for the Ravens to assume they'll step up next season.

There's also the question of Dennis Pitta and the chronic hip issues that have his career in doubt. If Baltimore gets anything from him in 2015, it should be considered a bonus. 

That's where a guy like Rob Housler may come in. The veteran tight end has played for the Cardinals for all four years of his NFL career, but he's now a free agent waiting to be signed. 

From 2012 to 2013, in 28 games, Housler caught 84 passes for 871 yards and one score. However, injuries and instability at quarterback led to Housler catching just nine passes for 129 yards last season.

That dip in production has prevented Housler from having a big market for his services. The Ravens routinely find impact players in free agency in guys who no one else seems to want.

Housler may just be that guy this year. 

S Dawan Landry

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The Ravens signed Texans safety Kendrick Lewis not long after free agency opened, but they should look to add another safety before the start of the season. 

One quality veteran still on the market is Dawan Landry, who is actually familiar with Baltimore. He spent his first five NFL seasons with the Ravens before signing with the Jaguars in 2010.

Landry spent the past two seasons with the Jets, and now he's back on the market. This past season, the 32-year-old was Pro Football Focus' No. 9 safety after recording 106 total tackles. 

Adding another safety to compete with Matt Elam and Terrence Brooks for the starting safety spot opposite Lewis should be something Baltimore does in free agency or the draft.

If they opt to do so before the draft, Landry should be a guy the Ravens look into. 

TE Jermaine Gresham

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As mentioned before, the Ravens could use another tight end, and if they want to spend a little more, Jermaine Gresham could be their guy.

The veteran tight end played his first five NFL seasons with the AFC North-rival Bengals, catching 280 passes for 2,722 yards and 24 scores. 

He's by no means a game-changing player, but Gresham is easily the best tight end still on the market. He's also a nice run-blocker and can impact a game from that standpoint when he's not catching passes. 

By seeing Gresham twice per year since 2010, Baltimore knows what kind of player he is and whether or not he'd fit in with the team. That knowledge could give the Ravens an advantage if they do decide to pursue Gresham. 

WR Michael Crabtree

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The Ravens still need someone to replace the production lost by Torrey Smith signing with the 49ers. Wouldn't it be ironic if the two teams essentially traded receivers this offseason?

Baltimore can remedy that loss if it signs Michael Crabtree, whose rookie contract with San Francisco expired, making him a free agent for the first time in his NFL career. 

Crabtree's only 1,000-yard receiving season came in 2012, but since then, his numbers have gone down in the 49ers' run-heavy offense. 

He had just 68 catches for 698 yards and four touchdowns in 2014, after an Achilles injury limited him to just five games and 19 receptions in 2013.

Crabtree has a lot of potential, but his inconsistent play has led to a small market for his services. He's one of the few young, quality receivers still on the market if Baltimore wants to add the best receiver possible.