The Ravens have quickly scooped one of their top unrestricted free agents off the open market.
Baltimore has agreed to terms on a multi-year deal with guard/tackle Marshal Yanda, Ravens General Manager Ozzie Newsome confirmed Tuesday evening.
The Ravens can officially sign Yanda to a contract at Friday’s 6 p.m. free agency deadline.
“We got Marshall Yanda! That’s great news,” Head Coach John Harbaugh said.
“He told us he wanted to be a Raven and he understood the business part that he had to go through. I’m beaming, you see Ozzie smile and is there anyone more excited than [Offensive Line Coach] Andy Moeller right now? We’re a better team than we were one hour ago.”
Yanda excelled as a starter for all 16 games at right tackle last season, stepping in for the injured Jared Gaither.
Considering the Ravens have four unrestricted free agent offensive linemen on the market in Yanda, Gaither, Chris Chester and Tony Moll, it’s an integral move for Baltimore.
The Ravens’ 2007 third-round pick has established himself as a mauling and versatile lineman. His natural position is at guard, and the Ravens have expressed a desire to move him back there. But the 6-foot-3, 315-pounder can again return to tackle.
“It fires me up,” Moeller said. “He’s one of our guys. He’s a true Raven. It gives me a sense of relief.”