OWINGS MILLS — Deonte Harty is coming home.
The Ravens signed the Archbishop Curley alum and Assumption University graduate to a one-year deal. Financial terms have not been disclosed.
Harty is the frontrunner to be the Ravens’ primary returner for Devin Duvernay, who finalized a contract with the Jaguars as a free agent this offseason. He also provides depth at wide receiver behind Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, Nelson Agholor and Tylan Wallace.
Harty signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2019 and finished his rookie year leading the NFL in punt returns (36) and punt return yards (338). He was the first undrafted Saint to make the Pro Bowl roster as a rookie that season.
Last year, Harty signed a two-year contract with the Bills and served as the team’s primary kick returner. He caught his first career touchdown with the Bills against the New York Giants.
Harty was also named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week after he returned a punt 96 yards for a touchdown in the Bills’ 21–14 victory over the Dolphins that clinched the AFC East division title. Buffalo released Harty on March 6th.
Harty has averaged 10.4 yards per punt return in his career and 25.2 yards per kick return. He will compete with Wallace, who took over as the starting returner when Duvernay was injured. Wallace returned a punt for a game-winning 76-yard touchdown against the Rams last season, and the Ravens like his potential moving forward.
NFL Network was the first to report the deal with Harty.
The Ravens ranked in the middle of the NFL for special teams last season, according to Rick Gosselin’s annual rankings.
The Ravens could be better next season with the addition of Harty, Chris Board, and the return of Malik Harrison and Arthur Maulet, who were re-signed this offseason.
Board will replace Del’Shawn Phillips, who signed with the Texans in free agency. Phillips played on a career-high 375 special teams snaps, and Board will get the same type of playing time in 2024
