OTL: Welcome Back, Calais Campbell!

It’s signing season, I guess, ladies and gentlemen, as the Ravens have come to terms with multiple draft picks and a familiar face reunites with Baltimore.

Before we got to the reunion, we have some great news when it comes to the draft class:

https://twitter.com/jeffzrebiec/status/2049950057416339656?s=20

This isn’t the biggest of news stories, but it is still nice to see the team move swiftly to get these guys signed and in the building, getting to work. Only three of the eleven remain unsigned.

Rookie camp starts today, so keep your eyes out for pics and tidbits from the reporters who are there, as they will share what they can.

So with the draft wrapped up and in the rear-view mirror, we can now get to looking at this roster more as a whole. We’re in the Ravens’ wheelhouse now, as they can fill holes by signing veterans who don’t affect the comp pick formula.

I joke, but this is where the true value can be found: the depth pieces of a football team. The Ravens have done very well in this department as multiple key players have come from this process, and we add another one to the list:

https://twitter.com/jeffzrebiec/status/2049880010631078335?s=20

When looking at this roster, the Ravens really need a player like Calais Campbell. Campbell has continued to be solid in his career ever since he left Baltimore. He should have been traded back to the Ravens for a playoff run in 2024 until the trade was nixed by Miami for some unknown reason. When looking at the available free agents, it just made sense that the Ravens were going to sign a defensive lineman. I really thought that D.J. Reader would have signed here, and while that still can happen, I think it makes sense to get Campbell first for one specific reason: the roles he can play.

To be frank, I don’t care how old he is.

He’s still productive, and was the most productive IDL relative to who was available.

Layup signing. He’s also not a 1T and that different skillset (a 3/4t) was needed for depth.#RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/gzMhNl4KI0

— Cole Jackson (@ColeJacksonFB) April 30, 2026

As Cole explains, Campbell is more of a 3-tech defensive lineman, while Reader is a pure one-tech/nose tackle. Not that we couldn’t use an upgrade at one tech, but we already have guys like Travis Jones and others who will play that role. We needed a penetrator on the D-Line for Nnamdi Madubuike insurance.

Also, if you are on the fence about this move, just note that Campbell’s 6.5 sacks would have been the most by the Ravens’ d-line last year.

This isn’t a move that excites me, but it is a solid veteran signing the team needed. Campbell seemed to really love being here last time, so I get why he was a priority over Reader, because of the role played and familiarity with Baltimore.

In terms of what to look forward to, again, rookie minicamps starting today, and also to the veteran signings coming in now that the draft is over.

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