Baltimore Ravens‘ 2023 season: 13-4, won AFC North, lost AFC championship game
Overview: Baltimore was the best team in football during the regular season by both record and most advanced metrics (No. 1 overall in DVOA). It earned the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs behind a dominant defense and a highly efficient offense and advanced to its first AFC championship in the Lamar Jackson era after the quarterback won his second MVP award. But things came to abrupt end when the Ravens were stunned at home in a loss to the eventual champion Kansas City Chiefs.
After falling short of its Super Bowl goal, Baltimore faces an offseason of change, with a litany of free agents to tend to. The Ravens already lost defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald and defensive line coach Anthony Weaver to the coaching carousel, so now it’s time to address the personnel and try to upgrade the roster while retaining some key talent. Having Jackson under center erases a lot of problems, but the Ravens are undergoing an organizational facelift this offseason.
Key free agents
DL Justin Madubuike
LB Patrick Queen
EDGE Jadeveon Clowney
WR Odell Beckham Jr.
RB Gus Edwards
S Geno Stone
RB JK Dobbins
OG Kevin Zeitler
Who’s in/out? Justin Madubuike has developed into one of the best interior defensive linemen in the entire NFL and he was a big reason as to why the Ravens had such a dominant defense. According to the NFL’s Next Gen Stats, Maduibuke ranked eighth in pressure rate (13.1%) among all defensive tackles with at least 250 pass rush snaps on the season. Patrick Queen is another player they may want to bring back, but the presence of Roquan Smith may make them comfortable at linebacker enough to let Queen walk.
Key free agent needs
Offensive line
EDGE
Wide receiver
Why the holes? The Ravens have a long term piece at center in Tyler Linderbaum, but not much else outside of him. With Kevin Zeitler being a free agent and Ronnie Stanley a potential cut candidate, the Ravens will need to rebuild this group in a hurry. They could also stand to add players at wide receiver to help Zay Flowers out. They need to find some depth at edge rusher as well with Kyle Van Noy and Jadeveon Clowney slated to hit the open market.
Do they have the money?: Not quite. The Ravens are projected to be a little less than $1 million over the salary cap, which means moves are coming whether it’s restructuring, trades or extensions.
Potential notable cuts:
OT Ronnie Stanley
EDGE Tyus Bowser
OT Morgan Moses
Why they might be gone: Stanley’s play has really fallen off due to injuries and the Ravens would immediately become cap-compliant by releasing him (a post-June 1 cut would free up $8.3 million in cap space). Tyus Bowser and Morgan Moses are some of the few cuts that the Ravens can make without incurring big dead cap penalties.
Draft picks
1st round: No. 30
2nd round: No. 62 overall
3rd round: No. 93 overall
4th round
4th round
5th round
7th round
7th round
Good draft fit
Duke OL Graham Barton
Why him? Baltimore might need a bunch of spots filled, so a versatile, high-floor offensive linemen to get that group moving in the right direction could be a necessity.
What can move the fantasy football needle this offseason?
This year’s free-agent class at running back is loaded with talent, and likely to get even deeper via cap casualties. Let’s add Derrick Henry (or another brand-name back) to a rushing offense that was already the league’s most productive in 2023. It should almost go without saying that Baltimore also needs to enhance its receiving room, like adding a serious downfield threat to complement Zay Flowers and the tight ends. Lamar Jackson is just one additional playmaker away from producing a 4,000/1,000 season in terms of passing and rushing totals. — Andy Behrens
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