Ranking the 2015 Impact of the Baltimore Ravens' Free-Agent Signings so Far

The Baltimore Ravens suffered several tough losses in free agency this year, highlighted by the departures of Haloti Ngata, Owen Daniels, Torrey Smith and Pernell McPhee. 

Those were four key contributors to last year's team that went 10-6 and came within one play of upsetting the New England Patriots in the divisional round of the playoffs. 

However, Baltimore did make some key signings of outside free agents in addition to re-signing several of its own. 

While it's too early to know how much each player will contribute to Baltimore's team next season, here is our early ranking of the impact each free-agent signing and re-signing will have on the Ravens in 2015. 

3. Re-Signed Chris Canty

Chris O'Meara/Associated Press

The Ravens defensive line was among the best in football this past year, but keeping it fully intact proved impossible to do this offseason.

It began with Baltimore trading Haloti Ngata to the Detroit Lions after he was unwilling to take a paycut. His cap hit of $16.2 million was simply too much for the Ravens to carry. 

Chris Canty was also a key contributor on the line as the starting defensive end. He played in 423 snaps this past year while finishing with the seventh-best run-stopping grade of any Ravens defender in the regular season, per Pro Football Focus. 

However, Canty was cut earlier this offseason to save close to $2.66 million but was eventually re-signed to a cheaper deal, according to Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun. 

Keeping Canty was key to keeping Baltimore's defensive line respectable since losing Ngata was such a tough blow. Losing Canty as well would have ensured the line took a major step backwards in 2015. 

2. Signing Kendrick Lewis

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

After Baltimore lost Darian Stewart to Denver this offseason, Kendrick Lewis is now penciled in as one of the starting safeties.

Lewis was signed to a three-year deal worth $5.4 million, according to Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com, after spending this past year as the starting free safety for the Houston Texans. Lewis recorded 84 tackles, six pass deflections, three forced fumbles and two interceptions in 16 games in 2014.

However, Lewis' specialty comes in his ability to defend the run. This past season, Lewis finished with a 3.8 run defense grade, according to Pro Football Focus. 

That was the fourth-best of any Texans defender, and a big reason why he played so well was his 14 stops (tackles causing an offensive failure). 

Losing Stewart was a tough loss after he started every game at one of two safety spots last year, but getting Lewis as a replacement should ensure there's little (if any) drop-off. 

1. Re-Signing Justin Forsett

Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

Baltimore's offense was a weakness in 2013, and a big reason why was the rushing offense finished 30th in yards per game. 

Running back Justin Forsett was arguably the MVP of the Ravens offense this past season after finishing fifth in the NFL in rushing yards with 1,266 yards. His 11.5 Pro Football Focus grade was the sixth of 57 eligible running backs in 2014. 

That helped the offense improve to No. 8 in rushing yards per game this past season. It also led to Forsett being one of the top backs to hit free agency this offseason. 

However, Forsett ultimately re-signed with Baltimore on a three-year contract for $9 million, according to Hensley. That deal will likely keep him as the No. 1 running back for the next two or three seasons. 

Keeping him was the biggest move Baltimore has made thus far in the offseason, and his impact in 2015 will likely be the biggest of any free agent the Ravens sign.