The NFL offseason waits for no one-especially in Baltimore, where the winds of change are blowing hard through the Ravens’ secondary. A new coaching staff is already in place, and with it comes a wave of uncertainty for a defensive backfield that could look drastically different by the time Week 1 of the 2026 season rolls around.
Let’s start with the safety room. Both Alohi Gilman and Ar'Darius Washington are set to hit free agency, leaving question marks at the back end of the defense. Gilman brought a physical edge, while Washington offered versatility, but there’s no guarantee either will be back in purple and black.
Then there’s the curious case of Jaire Alexander. His stint in Baltimore was brief-blink and you might’ve missed it.
And with Marlon Humphrey’s future in doubt, the Ravens may be staring at a full-blown secondary reset. Humphrey’s name still carries weight, but his roster spot for 2026 is far from a lock.
Chidobe Awuzie is another name to watch. He signed a one-year deal back in March 2025, and while he’s been steady, he hasn’t exactly forced Baltimore’s hand in terms of a long-term commitment. With his contract expiring at the start of the new league year, the Ravens face a classic offseason dilemma: re-sign a solid veteran or look elsewhere for upside and fresh legs.
If they go the latter route, here are a few potential free-agent targets who could be on Baltimore’s radar:
Nahshon Wright - Chicago Bears
Wright is a matchup nightmare in the making. At 6-foot-4 and 199 pounds, he brings rare length to the cornerback position-exactly the kind of physical profile that can disrupt passing lanes and make life miserable for wideouts on the boundary.
He’s coming off his best season yet and even earned a Pro Bowl nod as an alternate after Quinyon Mitchell bowed out. A former third-round pick in 2021, Wright is starting to put it all together.
If Baltimore wants size and upside, this is a name to circle.
Joshua Williams - Kansas City Chiefs
Williams doesn’t have a ton of starting experience-just 12 starts across 65 games-but he’s shown flashes when given the opportunity. He hasn’t recorded an interception since his rookie year in 2022, but that stat doesn’t tell the whole story.
Williams has been a steady contributor on a championship-caliber defense, and sometimes, all a young corner needs is a bigger role to break out. If the Ravens believe in his ceiling, he could be a sneaky value signing.
Roger McCreary - Los Angeles Rams
McCreary’s NFL journey has had its bumps. After a promising rookie season in 2022, injuries and a midseason trade to the Rams stalled his momentum.
He didn’t start a game in L.A., but his skill set still intrigues. He’s a gritty, versatile corner who could push for a starting job opposite Nate Wiggins if given the chance.
Baltimore has a history of getting the most out of defensive backs, and McCreary could benefit from a fresh start in a system that plays to his strengths.
Tariq Woolen - Seattle Seahawks
Woolen was once one of the league’s rising stars. A finalist for Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2022 and a member of the PFWA All-Rookie Team, he looked like a future cornerstone in Seattle.
But the past season saw him slide down the depth chart, and now his long-term role is unclear. Still, the talent is undeniable.
With the right coaching-say, from Jesse Minter and Mike Mickens-Woolen could be a high-reward reclamation project. His combination of speed, length, and ball skills is rare, and he’s still just scratching the surface.
The Ravens have long prided themselves on building from the back end out, and this offseason could be a defining one for the secondary. With established veterans potentially on the way out and a handful of intriguing free agents on the market, Baltimore has decisions to make-and not much time to make them. In a league where windows open and close fast, the Ravens can’t afford to blink.