Ravens 2019 salary cap outlook

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https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/2018/5/16/17354706/ravens-2019-salary-cap-outlook-cj-mosley-terrell-suggs-joe-flacco-jimmy-smith-eric-weddle

 

The coming season is expected to be a transitional year for the Baltimore Ravens. Ozzie Newsome, the only general manager in franchise history, will pass the baton to assistant general manager Eric DeCosta in 2019. Furthermore, this pair selected Lamar Jackson in the first round of the 2018 draft to succeed longtime franchise quarterback Joe Flacco sometime in the near future. Inquiring minds want to know how the roster could change next offseason.

Naturally, any roster construction discussion begins by analyzing available salary cap space. Spotrac estimates the Ravens will have approximately $11 million in salary cap space for 2019 after Tony Jefferson’s recent contract restructure. This figure will be reduced by roughly $10 million once the 2018 and 2019 draft classes sign their rookie contracts. However, the baseline NFL salary cap has been rising by about $11 million each year. With all of this taken into account, an expectation that the Ravens will have $12 million in salary cap space before releasing or re-signing anyone is a reasonable guesstimate at this time.

The marquee player approaching unrestricted free agency is defensive captain C.J. Mosley. He will command a contract upwards of $10 million annually assuming he has a strong 2018 season, but the Ravens often backload their contract structures to keep initial cap hits low. A 2019 cap charge of $6 million is a fair estimate for Mosley’s expected new deal.

Franchise leader Terrell Suggs is also up for free agency in 2019. He is still performing at a high level and could garner a medium sized short term contract if he elects to continue playing. Receiver John Brown inked a 1-year, $5 million deal this offseason, his cost could rise with a bounce back year.

Rotational pass rusher Za’Darius Smith, blocking tight end Nick Boyle, injury prone defensive end Brent Urban and backup tailback Javorius Allen headline the list of fourteen second and third tier impending unrestricted free agents. Breakout running back Alex Collins, linebacker Patrick Onwuasor and nose tackle Michael Pierce will be restricted free agents in 2019. And center Matt Skura will almost certainly be retained as an exclusive rights free agent.