ExtremeRavens Posted 10 hours ago Posted 10 hours ago INDIANAPOLIS — The start of NFL free agency is a couple of weeks away, but much of the league’s maneuvering begins in earnest at this week’s scouting combine. Players slated to reach the open market are not allowed to formally hear from teams until March 9, with the new league year commencing March 11. Still, it is among the league’s worst-kept secrets that the next several days in hotel lobbies, meeting rooms and late-night dinners will shape future moves. For the Ravens, the offseason has already been active, beginning with the hiring of head coach Jesse Minter and the assembly of a new staff. Now, a different sort of frenetic tempo arrives. Baltimore has 19 unrestricted free agents, many of whom were starters or otherwise integral contributors last season. The Ravens currently have roughly $13 million in effective salary-cap space, per Over The Cap, and that won’t suffice if they hope to retain key pieces — most notably Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum — while also adding from outside the building. Looming over all of it is the contract status of two-time NFL Most Valuable Player quarterback Lamar Jackson, whose deal will almost certainly need to be restructured or extended to mitigate a prohibitive $74.5 million cap charge. That subject figures to be foremost when general manager Eric DeCosta meets with reporters Tuesday morning, followed by Minter at noon — though it will hardly be the only matter discussed. Here is a look at the major questions facing Baltimore this week. Lamar Jackson watch The good news for the Ravens is that Jackson, who notably represents himself, remains under contract for two more seasons. The complication is that the team almost certainly needs to extend him, or at minimum restructure the agreement. Owner Steve Bisciotti indicated last month that an extension would be preferable. Yet given the protracted negotiations that preceded the contract Jackson signed in 2023, a restructuring may prove the more immediate path. Adding void years would free a meaningful portion of cap space; a full extension could create even more flexibility. Although the combine offers teams a closer look at the next wave of players entering the league, the week is just as much about dialogue as teams try to chart their path forward — at least as much as they’re allowed to do within the boundaries of league rules. What about Tyler Linderbaum? Set to turn 26 in April and already a three-time Pro Bowl selection in four seasons, Linderbaum is Baltimore’s most pressing internal priority. DeCosta has expressed a desire to reach a long-term agreement with the former first-round pick, and Linderbaum has likewise said he would like to remain in Baltimore. Still, the calculus is not entirely straightforward — not when a player of his caliber would command top-of-the-market compensation of about $20 million annually, should he reach free agency. That said, the Ravens have navigated a similar situation before. A year ago, the team found itself in nearly the same position with left tackle Ronnie Stanley. The sides ultimately reached an agreement just before free agency began. Something comparable could unfold with Linderbaum, though his return may be slightly less certain after he acknowledged that he must weigh what is best for his family as well as his career. What to do about Marlon Humphrey? There’s no sugar-coating how much Humphrey, who will turn 30 in July, struggled last season. According to Next Gen Stats, he allowed more receiving yards (831) than any cornerback in the league. Teammate Nate Wiggins ranked second after yielding 810 yards, though he was only in his second season and possesses considerably more developmental upside. Humphrey presents a more complicated decision. He is a four-time Pro Bowler, practices and competes with intensity and provides institutional knowledge to a relatively young secondary that is also thin on established starters. Yet he is also scheduled to count more than $26 million against the cap next season. Designating him a post-June 1 release would clear a little over $19 million in space while leaving roughly $7 million in dead money. Like Jackson, Humphrey does not employ an agent. He also maintains a close relationship with DeCosta. Those circumstances could perhaps allow the two sides to arrive at a more palatable financial arrangement, but no matter what happens the Ravens will look to add to their cornerback room through the draft. The Ravens' Zay Flowers scores a touchdown against the Patriots this past season. Outside of Flowers, Baltimore has questions at the wide receiver position. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) What will they do at wide receiver? Three years ago, Baltimore used a first-round pick on Zay Flowers. Since then, he has emerged as the first receiver drafted by the franchise to earn multiple Pro Bowl selections while producing consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. Beyond him, however, the depth chart is comparatively thin. Rashod Bateman remains under contract through 2029 but has previously sought a trade and is coming off a down season. DeAndre Hopkins and Tylan Wallace are both scheduled to reach free agency, while third-year receiver Devontez Walker continues to develop. Unsurprisingly, several mock drafts project the Ravens selecting another wide receiver in the first round. That would mark the third time since 2021. There is also the possibility of adding a pass catcher through free agency, though the class is underwhelming, or via trade. One name occasionally mentioned in trade speculation is disgruntled Philadelphia Eagles star A.J. Brown. Biggest needs in the draft After finishing 8-9 and missing the playoffs for the first time since 2021, it became evident that Baltimore’s leadership believed several position groups had underachieved, if not regressed. Foremost among them were the offensive line — particularly at guard — and the pass rush. Jackson was sacked 36 times in just 12 games, the highest rate of his eight-year career. Defensively, Baltimore recorded only 30 sacks, the second-lowest total in the league. READER POLL: Which position should the Ravens prioritize in the NFL draft? DeCosta is bullish that second-year guard Emery Jones Jr. can help stabilize the interior, and a first-round selection such as Penn State’s Vega Ioane would further fortify that area. As for a bona fide edge rusher, creating additional cap space could open the door to pursuing Cincinnati Bengals star Trey Hendrickson. Or, perhaps DeCosta will explore trading for Las Vegas Raiders star Maxx Crosby. Any of those moves would signal a more assertive approach to reshaping the roster, a tack DeCosta has already suggested he might take. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article Quote
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