Baltimore faces an offseason of change after Mike Macdonald bolted for the Seahawks job. Anthony Weaver landed the Dolphins’ defensive coordinator job, and 29 players are set to be free agents, headlined by Patrick Queen and Justin Madubuike.
The Ravens are 20th in the NFL in cap space, with $5,138,828 available, and there will be critical decisions regarding several vital contributors and two All-Pros.
With an urgent offseason underway, we’re looking at who should stay or go via Over The Cap.
Odell Beckham Jr.--Go
In his one seasons with the Ravens, Beckham appeared in 14 of the 17 regular season games, logging 35 receptions for 565 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns.
Beckham Jr. hasn’t recorded a 1,000-yard season since 2019, but he vibed well with the Baltimore skill players and had a tight relationship with Zay Flowers.
Beckham should move on unless he’s prepared to return at a major discount.
Beckham Jr. could flourish playing opposite Garrett Wilson, while catching passes from Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets.
Kevin Zeitler --Stay
Baltimore could lose both offensive tackles, and Zeitler is on pace for more than 1,000 snaps played in every year with the team.
The Pro Bwol snub is still going strong at 33 years old, earning a pass-blocking grade above 80.0 for the second consecutive season in 2023.
Since Week 4, Zeitler has 428 passing blocking snaps, allowing 12 pressures, 0 hits and 0 sacks.
Rock Ya-Sin --Go
The 27-year-old cornerback was a consistent contributor as a reserve cornerback this season while also seeing significant playing time on special teams, tallying 13 tackles over 14 appearances.
Gus Edwards--Go
Edwards led Baltimore’s running backs with a career-high 813 yards rushing and tied for fifth in the NFL with 13 rushing touchdowns. Still, he averaged a career-low 4.1 yards per attempt after averaging at least 5.0 yards per carry his previous four seasons.
Patrick Queen --Stay
His 35 quarterback pressures and eight sacks over the last two seasons are both second among off-ball linebackers in the NFL.
The running mate for Roquan Smith, Queen made his first Pro Bowl this season after logging a career-high 125 tackles (78 solo) and matched a career high with six passes defensed, while adding 3.5 sacks, nine tackles for loss, one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery for the best defense in the league. Queen is the only NFL defender to produce at least 400 tackles (445), 10 sacks (13.5), and 10 takeaways (four interceptions and six fumble recoveries) since he entered the league in 2020.
With Baltimore needing to re-sign Justin Madubuike, Queen will likely get to test the market and potentially land a $100 million deal.
Devin Duvernay --Go
The former Michigan will hit free agency on a down note after logging four catches for 18 yards on 13 games played.
Tylan Wallace can assume his role on special teams.
Melvin Gordon--Go
Gordon’s fumble against the Steelers in the Week 18 season finale was his final carry with the team this season after being waived on Wednesday.
Baltimore moved on from Gordon III after signing Dalvin Cook before the regular season finale against Pittsburgh.
Jadeveon Clowney--Stay
Clowney finished the year as one of the highest-graded performers, logging a career-high nine sacks, nine tackles for loss, 51 hurries, and 71 QB pressures.
Geno Stone-- Go
Stone started 11 of 17 games for Baltimore this season, finishing second in the NFL with 7 interceptions, along with 68 tackles and 9 passes defended.
Justin Madubuike --Stay
Madubuike had a streak this season where he logged at least half a sack in 11 of 13 games while doubling his previous sack totals.
He’ll command $25 million+ on the open market and could be even more productive alongside another elite talent.
J.K. Dobbins--Stay
Through 23 games of his career, Dobbins has been among the NFL’s most efficient runners, complete with the highest explosive run rate (15.2%) among all RBs in 2022.
Dobbins missed the 2023 season with a torn Achilles, but he must stay because he’ll be healthier than Keaton Mitchell when training camp rolls around, and Justice Hill is the only other running back currently under contract.
Ar'Darius Washington --Stay
A talented slot cornerback, Washington got off to a strong start this season before his injury, making 11 tackles, one sack, and two passes defensed in the first two games.
As an Exclusive Rights Free Agent (ERFA) — A player with less than three credited seasons when his contract expires, Baltimore simply has to tender an offer to the defensive back to maintain his right.
Tyler Huntley --Go
Huntley is looking to become a starter or earn a raise as one of the NFL’s top backups, and he’ll exit along with Josh Johnson.
Baltimore acquired former Louisville star Malik Cunningham from the Patriots with the hopes of grooming the raw athlete to be Lamar Jackson’s backup.
Kyle Van Noy -- Stay
You can never have enough good pass rushers or leadership on your roster, and for the right price, Van Noy has to return after posting 30 tackles and a career-best 9.0 sacks in 14 games with the Ravens during the regular season.
Van Noy and Jadeveon Clowney form a formidable duo off the right side and combined for 18.5 sacks during the regular season, and both could run it back in 2024.
Ronald Darby--Stay
Darby will have his suitors on the open market after he started in seven of the 16 games in which he played for Baltimore in 2023.
Playing in relief of an injured Marlon Humphrey, Darby recorded 28 combined tackles, including 1 tackle for loss and 7 pass defenses.
Laquon Treadwell --Go
Josh Johnson --Stay
Malik Cunningham is an intriguing prospect who doesn’t have much NFL experience. The Ravens could bring back Johnson at the right price.
Daryl Worley --Go
Brent Urban--Go
Del'Shawn Phillips --Go
The 27-year-old logged 24 tackles while playing primarily on special teams across 17 appearances this season.
At the right price, Phillips can return and offer familiairity.
Malik Harrison--Stay
The 25-year-old served as a primary backup option behind Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen at interior linebacker and should return at the right price.
Tyler Ott-Stay
Quality long snappers are hard to find.
Dalvin Cook --Go
Cook finished the year with 75 carries for 237 yards and no touchdowns, adding 15 catches for 78 yards on 20 targets, including the postseason.
The veteran began the year with the Jets before mutually parting ways in time to sign with the Ravens. Cook saw action in the divisional-round win over the Texans with eight carries for 23 yards but was a scratch in the AFC title game.
Arthur Maulet --Stay
Maulet had 34 tackles, two sacks and 1 interception in a limited role.
John Simpson --Stay
Both starting guards are pending free agents, and Baltimore could amass more salary cap space by moving on from both offensive tackles.
Kevin Zeitler wants to return, and the Ravens could look to give Sala Aumavae-Laulu or Andrew Vorhees an opportunity.
Simpson allowed one sack on the season but had a 56.5 PFF grade in 1,118 snaps, with five hits allowed and 26 pressures.
Sam Mustipher -Go
