The NFL offseason is always unpredictable, and the recent injury to Ar’Darius Washington is the latest wrench thrown into the Baltimore Ravens’ 2025 plans. The former TCU standout tore his Achilles in workouts Tuesday, causing the team’s depth at the safety position to become unstable.
Sure, rookie Malaki Starks should handle most of the workload this upcoming season, and there are second-year pros like Beau Brade and Sanoussi Kane who could come into their own. However, Washington’s 2024 breakout had Ravens fans excited for what he could become in 2025. Eric DeCosta will likely scour the free-agent market to find another body to compete in camp or contribute heavily this season. But with most of the market already picked from, who are some guys still available that could fill the Ravens’ needs?
Three free agents the Ravens should target
Tashaun Gipson
Tashuan Gipson is a 34-year-old safety with plenty of experience. The 13-year veteran has played a key role on some of the NFL’s most elite defenses in recent memory. He played for the San Francisco 49ers these past three seasons, starting for the 2022 and 2023 units, which ranked in the top three in the league. He also started for the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2016 to 2018, leading some of the ferocious defenses in the league, including the 2017 Sacksonville defense.
Gipson can also play a variety of roles. He can come close to the line of scrimmage and play the run or compete at the catch point on the back end and intercept passes. He fits the bill for what Baltimore looks for in their safeties, with the ability to play either free or strong safety. That, and his leadership qualities, could make him a favorite in Baltimore’s locker room.
He doesn’t come without some concerns, though. Gipson was suspended for six games in 2024 after violating the performance-enhancing substances policy. The former 49er is also coming off the first season since his rookie year where he wasn’t the team’s starter at safety. While Baltimore shouldn’t need a great starter, there could be questions about how much Gipson could contribute and at what level.
Justin Simmons
Justin Simmons still holds name value in the league. While he’s coming off the worst season of his career, it wasn’t too long ago when he was one of the league’s best safeties. From 2019 to 2023, Simmons had five straight years of all-pro second-team or Pro Bowl honors. With this in mind, he could be a hot commodity to replace Washington.
Although he’s no longer in his prime, Simmons has proven he’s one of the league’s best ballhawks. In his nine-year career, he’s collected 34 interceptions, good for sixth among active defensive backs. Baltimore could use some of that playmaking ability, as they ranked 20th in the league in takeaways last season with just 17. He could also be a great mentor for Starks, who showcased similar abilities as Simmons in college.
Even though Baltimore likely wouldn’t be getting the elite play Simmons contributed in the past, his proven track record as a consistent starter in this league should make him a viable option as they look for an extra body at safety. The 31-year-old also rarely misses games due to injuries. If they want someone they can trust to go out and play every day, Simmons could be their guy.
Quandre Diggs
Quandre Diggs is one of the more talented options on the free-agent market. The 32-year-old posted a 73.2 overall grade according to Pro Football Focus in 2024, proving to be above average against both the run and in coverage. The issue is that Diggs only played eight games. His season ended in early November after suffering a Lisfranc injury in a week nine matchup with the New England Patriots.
Given the timeline of most Lisfranc injuries, Diggs should be ready to go. The injury tends to take a toll on players, especially those in the late stages of their careers, but at this point, it's worth taking a chance on the Texas product. Diggs was once one of the best safeties the league had to offer, making three straight Pro Bowl rosters from 2020 to 2022. He’s also one of the most respected players in the game, known for his vocal leadership, as he was named a captain during his tenure with the Seattle Seahawks.
The former Titan is eerily similar to the mold of Washington. Both are shorter–Diggs at 5-foot-9-inches and Washington at 5-foot-eight-inches, and both have experience playing safety and corner. While Diggs hasn’t suited up and started at corner since 2017, the versatility to move around and play different roles could intrigue the Ravens and make him the perfect match.
It’s worth noting that Diggs is the cousin of new Titans rookie quarterback Cam Ward. Former Seahawk teammate Tyler Lockett also signed with the Titans recently, so the reunion of Diggs and Tennessee looks imminent. However, if neither party can agree on the three-time Pro Bowler's return, Baltimore could swoop in and sign the 10-year veteran.
Baltimore could definitely find Washington’s replacement in-house. But the front office will likely do its due diligence in finding the best man for the job before offseason activities start ramping up.
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