ExtremeRavens Posted February 13 Posted February 13 The Ravens’ coaching and front office staff have already been raided. Next up: their players. More than 20 are set to become unrestricted free agents in a month, and many of the same questions that were being asked after recent playoff failures continue to be asked in 2024. If it feels like the best opportunity for the Ravens to reach the Super Bowl in the Lamar Jackson era just drifted by like an empty ship that broke loose from its mooring amid a storm, that is not an unreasonable thought. Already, the coaching staff will look significantly different, with defensive mastermind Mike Macdonald now the coach of the Seattle Seahawks, defense line coach Anthony Weaver now the defensive coordinator of the Miami Dolphins and defensive backs coach Dennard Wilson now in charge of the Tennessee Titans’ defense. Then there are the many notable contributors from this past season who are about to hit the market, including defensive tackle Justin Madubuike, inside linebacker Patrick Queen and outside linebackers Jadeveon Clowney and Kyle Van Noy. The Ravens have just over $7.3 million in cap space, per Over The Cap, which ranks 20th in the NFL, and while they are used to operating this way, it will be even tougher after signing Jackson to a five-year, $260 million extension last offseason. Of course, general manager Eric DeCosta doesn’t believe Baltimore’s chances for its first Super Bowl title since the 2012 season are dead in the water, regardless of the seemingly endless obstacles between a difficult reality and a championship port. He has faith in the process. “We’ve seen the emergence of a lot of younger players, and that’s going to continue,” he said in last week’s end-of-season news conference. “We’ve got a great process. We’ve got great evaluators. Our coaching staff does a phenomenal job, and we also develop players, so I don’t really subscribe to the idea of windows opening and closing. I’d like to believe that with careful roster building and good drafting and development of players, the window is going to always be open.” That first step to keeping it open, DeCosta said, will be starting with their own free agents. If nothing else, it’s something the Ravens are used to dealing with. But this year’s group is particularly deep, with four running backs, three of the team’s top five wide receivers, its top three pass rushers and both starting guards, along with a handful of defensive backs, all eligible for free agency when the period unofficially begins March 11, which is when teams are allowed to begin talks with players outside the organization. “We’ll be busy,” DeCosta said. “We’ve started talking to agents, looking at the crop of free agents that are out there, but mostly at our guys, and who can we bring back, and what’s that contract going to look like, and what will those long-term ramifications be, as well. At some point, you get to the point where you have to play with who you have, and you have to draft well, and you have to hit on players, and we’ve done that the last couple of years.” Here’s an attempt to rank who their top 10 free agents will be: 1. Defensive tackle Justin Madubuike A 2020 third-round pick, Madubuike delivered in a big way in the final year of his rookie contract with a career-high 13 sacks that led all NFL interior defensive linemen. That could net him a deal north of $25 million per year. “In terms of Baltimore, man, that’s home,” the 26-year-old told NFL.com Friday at the Pro Bowl. “But, you know, business is business, and that side is going to take care of itself.” That sounds like a man who wants to get paid, and deservedly so. The Ravens aren’t going to let him just walk, though, so the most likely scenario is issuing a franchise tag. That would cost about $21 million for next season and buy DeCosta time to potentially work out a lucrative long-term deal. 2. Inside linebacker Patrick Queen Queen surpassed his career-high in tackles for a second straight year with 133 and added 3 1/2 sacks, six pass breakups, an interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He also hasn’t missed a game in his four years in Baltimore, a remarkable achievement for someone who plays the game with as much speed and violence as he does. But with $20 million a year already invested in fellow inside linebacker and two-time All-Pro Roquan Smith, and big money presumably committed to Madubuike, there’s probably a slim chance Baltimore will be able to keep the 2020 first-round pick. “This is where I started it at, it would definitely be nice to come back,” Queen said. “But at the same, I just got to do what’s best for me, what’s best for my family.” 2023 NFL: Seattle Seahawks at Baltimore RavensKarl Merton Ferron/Baltimore SunRavens right guard Kevin Zeitler will turn 34 next month, yet he’s coming off the first Pro Bowl selection of his 12-year career. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) 3. Right guard Kevin Zeitler Zeitler will turn 34 next month, yet he’s coming off the first Pro Bowl selection of his 12-year career. DeCosta also said last week that he’s already spoken with Zeitler about the possibility of returning. Given his veteran leadership, standout play and toughness, the Ravens would be wise to bring him back, especially with starting left guard John Simpson also hitting free agency and some uncertainty over their two aging tackles, Ronnie Stanley and Morgan Moses, both of whom were slowed by injuries throughout the season. 4. Outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney Clowney was a steal this season, signing a one-year, $2.5 million deal halfway through training camp and then producing one of the best seasons of his 10-year career. The 30-year-old tied his career high with 9 1/2 sacks, didn’t miss a game and was a stout run defender. He’d also like to be back. “I enjoyed coming to work,” said Clowney, the 2014 No. 1 overall draft pick. “That’s probably why I played at a high level because I [didn’t] have any pressure. I would just come in, have fun and be yourself and just play ball.” He’ll certainly have higher offers than what Baltimore can likely afford to pay him, and the Ravens have been reticent to shell out big money to veteran outside linebackers in the past. But if there’s a way to get creative, he has already proved to be a great fit in the locker room and on the field. 5. Cornerback Ronald Darby Another inexpensive veteran who outperformed his contract, Darby played in 16 games and was more than adequate as he filled in at outside corner with Marlon Humphrey hampered by injuries most of the year. He put up his best numbers in terms of completion percentage allowed, yards per completion allowed, passer rating allowed and gave up only one touchdown. The 30-year-old will command a higher salary next season than the $1.7 million he was paid in 2023, but the veteran could be an affordable option at a position of need. Wide receiver Nelson Agholor can help fill the role of veteran leader who’s capable of making big plays on occasion. (Loren Elliott/Getty) 6. Wide receiver Nelson Agholor With Odell Beckham Jr. unlikely to return after being paid $15 million for his one season in Baltimore, Agholor can help fill the role of veteran leader who’s capable of making big plays on occasion. He had just 35 catches for 381 yards, but the 30-year-old was a valuable presence and would be even more so with rookie Zay Flowers and third-year receiver Rashod Bateman the team’s top two players at the position. Bateman has also yet to find consistent chemistry with Jackson, and Agholor, who signed a one-year, $3.25 million deal with the Ravens last offseason, would be an affordable backstop. 7. Cornerback Arthur Maulet Like Darby, Maulet was an outsized performer for the Ravens’ defense. He cost just $1.08 million last season and was a skilled defender in the slot, especially blitzing off the edge. He also performed solidly on special teams and epitomized the Ravens’ culture. Bringing him back on an inexpensive deal would help keep together what was one of the best secondaries in the league. 8. Outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy Van Noy didn’t join the Ravens until Week 4, yet he still set a career high with nine sacks. There were times when he struggled, especially against the run, but at just $1.4 million for the season, he was well worth the investment as he was often disruptive in the passing game. Van Noy will turn 33 in March, but he showed enough that he’ll get an offer from some team, if not Baltimore. 9. Left guard John Simpson A season after he was released by the Las Vegas Raiders, Simpson won the starting left guard job in training camp and never relinquished it. The 26-year-old was mostly solid and earned himself a notable free agent deal this offseason. The Ravens already have young guards Ben Cleveland, Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu and Andrew Vorhees on the roster, so this could be an instance in which they let Simpson walk and hope for a compensatory draft pick in return. Running back Gus Edwards led the Ravens with 13 rushing touchdowns in 2023. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) 10. Running back Gus Edwards The concerns with Edwards, 28, are that his 4.1 yards per carry was the lowest mark of his career by nearly a full yard, and he struggled to provide the same power and burst as the season wore on. That said, he led the Ravens with 13 rushing touchdowns, has a nose for the end zone when Baltimore is near the goal line and makes for a good option or decoy in short-yardage situations. Bringing him back for one last hurrah, assuming the two parties can agree on a relatively friendly number, would make sense. Other unrestricted free agents Quarterbacks: Tyler Huntley, Josh Johnson Running backs: J.K. Dobbins, Dalvin Cook, Melvin Gordon Wide receivers: Odell Beckham Jr., Devin Duvernay, Laquon Treadwell Center: Sam Mustipher Long snapper: Tyler Ott Defensive end: Brent Urban Linebacker: Malik Harrison, Del’Shawn Phillips Safety: Geno Stone Cornerback: Rock Ya-Sin, Daryl Worley View the full article Quote
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