Ravens Roundtable: Free Agency Predictions

An unexpected eight-percent decrease in the NFL salary cap has many teams scrambling to release players and restructure contracts in the lead up to free agency. Due to the massive advantage Lamar Jackson’s rookie contract provides. the Ravens will fortunately enter the new league year with their playoff caliber roster mostly intact. This unprecedented offseason should favor Baltimore’s value-focused front office.

Baltimore Beatdown’s staff predictions for the 2021 free agency period:

Eric DeCosta’s decisions at outside linebacker will shape the Ravens offseason. Re-signing Tyus Bowser to a short-term pact appears to be the most likely option, the versatility he provides is essential to Wink Martindale’s deceptive scheme. True to form, DeCosta will allow both Matthew Judon and Yannick Ngakoue walk, then spend the rest of the offseason preserving the valuable compensatory picks the two high profile edge rushers are expected to return.

Shoring up the offensive line with a stabilizing cap casualty veteran is the next order of business, Nick Martin, Kevin Zeitler and Gabe Jackson fit the job description. To the chagrin of many Ravens followers, DeCosta will not pony-up the resources required to secure a coveted wideout, instead he will ink an injury-prone bargain-priced stopgap such as Sammy Watkins or A.J. Green while relying on Devin Duvernay and James Proche to replace Willie Snead’s slot production. Depth needs on the defensive line, third tight end and at dime safety will eventually be addressed in the second wave of free agency. Refusing to deviate from their long-term stability model, Baltimore will target outside linebacker and offensive tackle in the early rounds of the draft.

- Vasilis Lericos

The Ravens miss out on the big names for free agents. After hoping they’d land the likes of Joe Thuney, Corey Davis and Corey Linsley, the Ravens are left largely the same on offense. I expect the team prioritizes keeping one or two of their edge rushers, be that Matt Judon, Yannick Ngakoue, Derek Wolfe or Tyus Bowser.

They’ll eventually land a depth player along the offensive line hoping to shore up the left guard or right guard position. There’s rumor of Bradley Bozeman becoming the in-house option at center and I suspect this comes to fruition. Much will be determined by the ever-continuing saga of Orlando Brown Jr.

- Kyle P. Barber

The Ravens will use free agency to address at least two of their three biggest needs. Presuming Matthew Judon and Yannick Ngaouke will walk, I expect them to re-sign Tyus Bowser and Derek Wolfe to avoid further depletion on the front seven. On offense, a solid veteran like Marvin Jones or Kevin Zeitler strike me as realistic, if not likely acquisitions. A surprise signing could be a defensive back like Malik Hooker, which would supplement a position of strength.

- Frank J. Platko

The Ravens sign Melvin Ingram III, a veteran offensive guard or center and fill out their roster with cap casualties that don’t subtract from the compensatory formula while establishing quality depth. It’s not sexy, but teams that overspend in free agency don’t contend.

- Spencer Schultz

I predict that the Ravens will make one splash signing on the offensive side of the ball in free agency. Whether that means signing guard Joe Thuney, center Corey Linsley, or a wide receiver like Corey Davis. A veteren receiver like Emmanuel Sanders, who will not cancel out a compensatory pick, makes sense if they do not snag one of the more coveted receivers on the market and someone like guard Gabe Jackson or center Nick Martin would make sense if they do not land one of the top lineman.

I believe Eric DeCosta will address the void at edge rusher with solid veterans on cheaper deals, such as Justin Houston, Carlos Dunlap, or re-signing Jihad Ward. I think Baltimore will try to bring in a backup offensive tackle as well who could start in a pinch if Orlando Brown Jr. is traded. The goal is to patch up as many holes as possible in free agency before the draft.

- Dustin Cox

I don’t anticipate that the Ravens will be big spenders in the initial wave of free agency but that doesn’t mean that they won’t be active. I foresee General Manager Eric DeCosta signing no more than one unrestricted free agent so that they can ensure that they receive the expected 2022 third-round compensatory picks when Pro Bowl edge rushers Yannick Ngakoue and Matthew Judon sign elsewhere. However, if they do deviate from that plan, it would likely be to bring in a wide receiver such as Marvin Jones or Corey Davis. I predict that the Ravens will continue to feast on the salary cap casualty market to address both needs and depth, as well as protect their future comp picks. I also predict that they will make a push to re-sign both OLB Tyus Bowser and DT Derek Wolfe.

- Joshua Reed