Late for Work: Should Ravens Make Another Play for Darius Slay?
The Ravens were close to signing cornerback Darius Slay in free agency two years ago before he re-signed with the Philadelphia Eagles. Could the six-time Pro Bowler end up playing in Baltimore this season?
The question is being asked because the Eagles are reportedly releasing Slay ahead of his 13th season in a cost-cutting move.
Sports Illustrated’s Zach Dimmitt thinks the Ravens should pursue Slay.
“Adding Slay to the mix both as a playmaker and a mentor for guys like cornerback Nate Wiggins could pay off big for the Ravens next season,” Dimmitt wrote. “Baltimore’s secondary was also the defense’s weak link this past season, as the Ravens surrendered the second-most passing yards per game (244.1) despite allowing the fewest rushing yards per contest (80.1). Slay could help aid in this improvement for Zach Orr’s unit.”
The Ravens need cornerback depth alongside Marlon Humphrey and Wiggins. Brandon Stephens, who started 33 games over the past two seasons for Baltimore, is a pending unrestricted free agent.
One of the stalwarts on the Eagles defense the past five seasons, Slay helped Philadelphia get to two Super Bowls, winning one. Despite turning 34 in January, Slay still played at a high level this past season.
Ravens Urged to Pursue Vikings Pro Bowl Cornerback in Free Agency
Another free agent cornerback who might interest the Ravens is Byron Murphy Jr. of the Minnesota Vikings. ESPN’s Aaron Schatz believes Murphy would be a good fit for Baltimore.
“[The Ravens] are low in cap space and might not be able to snag top cornerbacks like D.J. Reed or Charvarius Ward. Murphy might come a bit cheaper because he wasn’t seen as a star cornerback until his breakout season in 2024,” Schatz wrote. “Murphy ranked fifth in coverage DVOA among qualified corners and had six interceptions with 14 passes defensed.
“Cornerback stats are notoriously inconsistent, so we can’t count on Murphy to have similar success in 2025, but he’s a quality veteran. He also would fit a Ravens defense that plays a mix of man and zone defenses; Minnesota played zone 69% this past season – the fourth-highest mark – although Murphy also excelled in man coverage.”
Murphy, 27, made his first Pro Bowl team this past season. The Athletic’s Mike Fisher reported that the Vikings want to re-sign Murphy and the two sides met during the Scouting Combine last week to “gauge the level of interest.”