Ravens 2024 free agent guide: Running backs, offensive line are position groups to watch

There were a lot of lessons former Ravens director of player personnel Joe Hortiz said he learned during his 26 years in Baltimore, the last handful of which he spent as right-hand man to general manager Eric DeCosta. One of the foremost was prudence.

“Patience — the season doesn’t begin until September, you don’t have to be in a rush to do anything,” Hortiz, who left at the end of January to become the Los Angeles Chargers’ general manager, said last month at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis.

Indeed it’s a trait that’s been on display in years past and present for DeCosta and figures to be again when the NFL’s legal tampering period begins Monday at noon. That’s when teams can start talking to free agents about potential deals, though it would be misguided to think those conversations haven’t been happening for weeks.

Wednesday at 4 p.m. is when free agency officially opens and players can put ink to paper on their deals.

Many of the Ravens’ 22 unrestricted free agents, most of whom were key contributors on a team that went an NFL-best 13-4 and reached the AFC championship game, will draw interest from around the league. Just don’t expect Baltimore to be one of the more aggressive teams when it comes to pursuing a haul of players.

For one, even after signing Pro Bowl defensive tackle Justin Madubuike to a four-year, $98 million extension in a way that reduced his salary cap hit for next season by about $10 million from what it would have been under the franchise tag, and even if they restructure the contracts of other players to open up more space, the Ravens are still tight on cap space.

For another, it’s just not in their budget-conscious DNA — even as the NFL’s salary cap shot up a whopping $30 million to $255.4 million.

“It was nice to see that number,” DeCosta said. “It doesn’t mean that we’re going to just open up the books and go shopping. That’s not really the Ravens’ way.”

But it will help, especially given Baltimore’s needs on the offensive line, at running back, outside linebacker, cornerback and elsewhere.

Here are five things to keep an eye on for the Ravens as free agency kicks off.

Will they make a splash at running back?

Last year, the Ravens’ splashiest free agent signing was wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., which was done at quarterback Lamar Jackson’s request ahead of his signing a long-term extension and as part of a much-needed overhaul of the position. This year, Baltimore is going through a similar remake in the backfield, with Justice Hill, Keaton Mitchell, who is only three months removed from a torn ACL, and second-year player Owen Wright the only backs currently signed.

But with a plethora of running backs hitting the market, they’ll have plenty of options.

Among the more notable names available are Derrick Henry, who was linked to the Ravens at last season’s trade deadline, Saquon Barkley, Tony Pollard, Josh Jacobs and Austin Ekeler. Of that group, Barkley ($12 million annually), Jacobs ($11 million) and Henry ($9 million) are projected to land the priciest contracts in terms of annual salary, according to Pro Football Focus.

They could also all be too expensive, given the Ravens’ financials and their seeming content to operate by committee.

More palatable options could include Pollard ($6.7 million), D’Andre Swift ($6.25 million), Ekeler ($4.5 million), Devin Singletary ($4.25 million), A.J. Dillon ($3.25 million) or Zack Moss ($3.75 million). Then there’s J.K. Dobbins. While injuries have forced him to miss more games than he’s played during his tenure in Baltimore, there’s at least familiarity and likely an inexpensive price tag ($2 million).

The direction the Ravens go will also probably depend somewhat on what running backs they target in this year’s draft class, which does not have first-round talent but does have relatively good value in the middle rounds.

Will they retain Jadeveon Clowney or Kyle Van Noy?

Outside linebacker is another area of need with Jadeveon Clowney, who had 9 1/2 sacks, and Kyle Van Noy (nine sacks) both free agents, and uncertainty over the health of David Ojabo and Tyus Bowser.

Ojabo is coming off a torn ACL and has essentially missed his first two seasons after a torn Achilles kept him sidelined for nearly all of 2022. Bowser told KPRC 2 Houston on Sunday that he’ll “definitely” be back after undergoing knee surgery last year, but whether he’s in Baltimore remains to be seen. Asked whether he’ll be back with the Ravens, he said: “I’ll see. Have to see how Eric feels and go from there and see what happens.”

As for Clowney and Van Noy, both are projected to get significant pay raises at $9 million and $3.3 million, respectively. Clowney was happy in Baltimore, but he could follow former Ravens defensive coordinator and current Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald to Seattle, an organization he told The Baltimore Sun during the season closely resembled that of the Ravens after spending 2019 there. Van Noy, meanwhile, didn’t have a lot of offers when the Ravens signed him a few weeks into the season, so it’s possible he could still be available later in free agency.

One player to keep an eye on: Former Miami Dolphins defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah.

He was released by Miami last month and Baltimore was interested in him when he was a free agent in 2022. Ogbah had 114 tackles, 24 sacks, one interception, 19 passes defensed, five forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in four years with the Dolphins, led the team with nine sacks in 2020 and 2021, and was named the team’s Nat Moore Community Service Award winner in 2022, an element that fits well with the Ravens.

What will happen with their offensive line?

Starting guards Kevin Zeitler and John Simpson are free agents and there are age, injury and salary considerations when it comes to tackles Ronnie Stanley and Morgan Moses.

In other words, solidifying the offensive line is the team’s top priority. Given the statuses of the aforementioned group, the Ravens likely need to add at least two starting-caliber linemen this offseason, which means there’s a good chance one or both could come via free agency.

If the Ravens can get Stanley to take a pay cut, that would help. So does a relatively deep free-agent class.

One option at guard could be Damien Lewis, a 332-pound, 26-year-old 2020 third-round pick of the Seahawks who has played both guard spots in his career, has performed well in Seattle’s zone running scheme and improved his pass blocking. He was also a draft target of the Ravens that year and is projected to get a four-year, $38 million deal, making him a potentially viable option.

A cheaper choice could be veteran Jon Feliciano, who spent this season with the San Francisco 49ers. The 32-year-old is projected to get a one-year deal for $2 million.

What about cornerback?

The Ravens are in good shape with Marlon Humphrey and Brandon Stephens as their two outside corners,  especially if Humphrey can bounce back from the injury-filled season he had in 2023. Still, DeCosta believes the team can never have too many cornerbacks.

But what that looks like in terms of free agency will be worth watching.

The Ravens probably aren’t making a push for a top-end corner, given the cost and what they already have. But a low-end veteran could be an option, something that worked out well last season when they signed Ronald Darby and Arthur Maulet. Rock Ya-Sin, though, was a $4 million miss after a knee injury slowed him in training camp and he was outperformed.

Of course, Darby and Maulet are free agents themselves, and with Darby projected to get a $2.5 million deal he could be a candidate to return, which brings us to …

Which free agents could be back?

In addition to Darby, there are a handful of Ravens free agents who could or should be back next season, and all would be relatively inexpensive options.

Outside linebacker Malik Harrison is a proven edge-setter against the run. Center Sam Mustipher, an Owings Mills native, made two starts for an injured Tyler Linderbaum and performed more than admirably. Linebacker Del’Shawn Phillips has been a solid special teams performer the past two seasons and would have an opportunity to showcase his skills on defense with the Ravens potentially losing other linebackers. And safety Daryl Worley would be an easy decision with Geno Stone not likely back after an AFC-leading seven interceptions that will likely land him a starting role elsewhere.