The Ravens have concluded their 2023 season, and the focus now shifts to what’s shaping up to be a franchise-altering offseason for general manager Eric DeCosta.
Where things currently stand, the Ravens are expected to have roughly $7,328,828 in cap space via OverTheCap, the 20th most in the NFL.
That number could grow if the team opts to part ways with some expensive contracts (perhaps Ronnie Stanley and Marlon Humphrey.
The Ravens have 48 players currently under contract for the 2024 season; we’re looking at the six most challenging decisions facing GM Eric DeCosta.
What to do with Kevin Zeitler, J.K. Dobbins
Dobbins has averaged 5.6 yards per attempt in his NFL career, is just 25 years old, and has just 266 NFL carries over four seasons.
Could DeCosta bring him back on a one-year prove-it deal?
Zeitler was named to his first Pro Bowl this season and has talked about returning to Baltimore.
It’s possible that the Ravens will re-sign Dobbins and Zeitler, which General Manager Eric DeCosta acknowledged at the team’s end-of-season press conference.
To avoid incurring $4.3 million in “dead money” on the salary cap, the Ravens must re-sign Zeitler in the coming week.
Will Odell Beckham return?
The Ravens landed star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. last spring.
DeCosta must decide if the three-time Pro Bowler will be back in Baltimore next year, which is one of the team’s many questions this offseason.
Beckham had his one-year, $15 million contract reworked, with substantial void years removed from the deal.
That restructure allows Baltimore to use a post-June one release if an extension is not reached by March 14. Doing so would spread the dead money in the deal over this year and following rather than have it all hit in 2024, meaning $2.767 million would count for this year and $8.301 million for 2025.
Will DeCosta hand out 5th year options?
Another question facing the Ravens is whether they will pick up the fifth-year option on edge rusher Odafe Oweh.
Oweh recorded five sacks and a pair of forced fumbles in 13 games this past season. He has steadily improved year-to-year but hasn’t had that dominant breakout season.
Picking up the option would cost the Ravens $12.1 million for an emerging pass rusher. Baltimore declined Patrick Queen’s option last year and would probably like to avoid a similar situation.
2022 PFF grade: 56.8
2023 PFF grade: 80.7Odafe Oweh, the most improved player on the Ravens this season 📈 pic.twitter.com/tAWusx7nLG
— PFF BAL Ravens (@PFF_Ravens) February 5, 2024
The 2021 first-round pick was named Baltimore’s most-improved player this past season by Pro Football Focus.
The deadline to decide on fifth-year options is May 2.
Franchise tag Justin Madubuike?
Madubuike became a first-time Pro Bowler and a pending free agent.
Madubuike led all defensive linemen in sacks (13), and The Ravens may use the franchise tag to keep him in the fold if they can’t reach a long-term deal. Madubuike’s ability to bring pressure up the middle and play multiple positions is a coveted skill set, and DeCosta will have a gigantic decision to make.
Is Patrick Queen worth breaking the bank?
Queen had a career-high 133 tackles and didn’t miss a game in four seasons.
Queen and Roquan Smith make up the league’s top inside linebacker tandem. Losing Queen would create a void and young players such as linebacker Trenton Simpson would be asked to assume more significant roles.
Should DeCosta find a way to bring back Queen and Madubuike?
Does Jadeveon Clowney return
The Ravens led the NFL in sacks (60) with contributions from various sources. Veteran edge rushers Jadeveon Clowney (9.5 sacks) and Kyle Van Noy (9 sacks) are pending free agents, and DeCosta must decide if one or both return.
Odafe Oweh had a career-high five sacks and enjoyed his best all-around season. At the same time, second-year outside linebacker David Ojabo has spent most of his two NFL seasons rehabbing from injuries and was limited to just three games in 2023.
If Clowney and Van Noy priced themselves out, will DeCosta look to add talent to the position?
Will Ravens GM address CB position?
Brandon Stephens emerged as the Ravens’ most consistent cornerback in 2023, but he’s listed as a natural safety, and there are more significant questions to answer at the position. The Ravens could restructure Marlon Humphrey’s deal, and the offseason will give the Pro Bowl cornerback time to recover from an injury-plagued season. However, three veteran corners are pending unrestricted free agents – Ronald Darby, Arthur Maulet, and Rock Ya-Sin.
Darby was solid in relief of Humphrey, while Maulet was the primary nickel cornerback in relief of Ar’Darius Washington. Will DeCosta look to add more talent, or roll with third-year cornerbacks Jalyn Armour-Davis and Damarion “Pepe” Williams?
