The Baltimore Ravens have been in the middle of the league in free agency over the past three years, ranking 15th in the NFL in total signings and 17th in total contract value. Here's a look at how those decisions have panned out on the field:
Total signings: 30* (15th in NFL)
Total contract value: $165,355,000 (17th in NFL)
Three-year W-L: 23-25
Biggest hit: Safety Eric Weddle. The Ravens finally found the experienced leader in the secondary that has been missing since Ed Reed left after the 2012 Super Bowl season. In his first season in Baltimore, Weddle was ranked as the NFL's best safety by Pro Football Focus and made his fourth Pro Bowl. He was one of three safeties in the league who recorded over 85 tackles and three interceptions in 2016. Another reason why Weddle was the biggest hit: He signed with the Ravens even though he had better offers elsewhere, including one from AFC North rival Pittsburgh.
Biggest miss: Offensive tackle Eugene Monroe. This was arguably the worst free-agent deal in franchise history. Monroe was cut only 27 months after the Ravens gave him $17.5 million in guaranteed money. All Baltimore got in return was 17 starts. If you're counting at home, that amounts to $1.03 million per start or $17,500 per snap over two seasons. Monroe worked hard in the weight room, and he had the athleticism to be a franchise left tackle. But he lacked the passion and toughness that the Ravens want out of their players. Monroe started and finished only three of his last 16 games (including playoffs) before being released.
Sneaky-good move: Wide receiver Mike Wallace. He came to the Ravens with the label of being a receiver in decline. Wallace had just set career lows with 39 catches, 473 yards receiving and two touchdowns in Minnesota. But Wallace revitalized his career with Joe Flacco, leading Baltimore with 1,017 yards receiving and producing his first 1,000-yard season since 2011. He also showed that he hadn't lost as much of his speed as some thought. Wallace topped the NFL with five catches over 50 yards, including touchdowns of 66 yards against the Bills and 95 yards against the Steelers.
Verdict: The Ravens' overall record and track record in free agency mirror each other over the past three seasons. Baltimore has had an equal amount of hits and misses when adding new players, which is a big reason why the Ravens have won no division titles and reached the playoffs once since the start of the 2014 season. The Ravens can take pride in landing game-changers in Weddle, Wallace and Steve Smith Sr. in free agency. But they also have to shake their heads at why they didn't get much production out of Monroe, Justin Forsett (739 yards rushing after getting $3 million guaranteed), Kendrick Lewis and Kyle Arrington. Perhaps the most frustrating part for Baltimore is not having enough cap room to keep players the team developed like guard Kelechi Osemele, wide receiver Torrey Smith and linebacker Pernell McPhee.
*Signings made during free agency period beginning in March.