Ravens offseason primer: Bill due on home-grown goods
Dec 17, 2023; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Justin Madubuike (92) celebrates after beating the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium. credits: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports 2023 record: 13-4
Projected salary cap space: Over the cap
Offseason storylines: For the first time in three years the springtime narrative won't involve the contract status of Lamar Jackson. Jackson claimed his second NFL MVP award in the first season of a five-year, $260 million contract in 2023. Now the Ravens are shopping on a limited budget that will test their grow-your-own keepers philosophy and likely parting with multiple players they drafted, developed, started but can't afford.
Team Needs: OT, RB, LB, CB, DL
Losing ILB Patrick Queen or DT Justin Madubuike might shuffle needs by the open of free agency. Ronnie Stanley's availability has been a constant question at left tackle, both starting guards are free agents and injuries at running back underscore the need for a gamechanger at the position. Top back Gus Edwards is a free agent; J.K. Dobbins, too.
Top free agent: DT Justin Madubuike - Wideout Odell Beckham Jr appears headed for a new address after one season at $15 million and a team could overspend to acquire Queen, whose star climbed as a tag-team partner of Roquan Smith at the heart of Baltimore's 3-4. Keeping Madubuike (13 sacks in 2023) is a pricey proposition. Not keeping him might be even more costly. He would be next to impossible to replace instantly given the Ravens' tight cap and draft slot.
Unrestricted free agents (as of March 13):
WR Odell Beckham Jr.
OLB Jadeveon Clowney
CB Ronald Darby
RB J.K. Dobbins
KOR/PR Devin Duvernay
RB Gus Edwards
OLB Malik Harrison
QB Tyler Huntley
DT Justin Madubuike
CB Arthur Maulet
CB Trayvon Mullen
ILB Del'Shawn Phillips
LG John Simpson
S Geno Stone
ILB Patrick Queen
DE Brent Urban
OLB Kyle Van Noy
DB Daryl Worley
CB Rock Ya-Sin
RG Kevin Zeitler
—Field Level Media