TheBaltimore Ravens’has officially concluded with the Chiefs Super Bowl win, 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 viaOverTheCap, 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.
TheRavens have 48 players currently under contract for the 2024 season; we’re looking at seven potential pre-free agency casualties per the Over The Captransaction table.
Ronnie Stanley
Jan 20, 2024; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) celebrates with offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley (79) after scoring a touchdown against the Houston Texans during the third quarter of a 2024 AFC divisional round game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
Cap saving: $15,000,000
Dead money hit: $11,168,250
The talented offensive tackle has started every game since he was a rookie in 2016 and has dealt with injuries since 2019. He played seven games between the 2020 and 2021 seasons and missed five in 2022.
In 2023, Stanley missed four games, dealt with injuries throughout this season, and spent the final stretch on a pitch count.
When Stanley is healthy, he’s a solid player but hasn’t been a Pro Bowler or All-Pro player since 2019.
An outright cut or trade of Stanley would leave Baltimore with $17 million in dead cap space, while a post June 1 move makes the most sense.
In 2023, Stanley finished 37th in PFF’s overall grades, 22nd in pass blocking, and 41st in run blocking behind backup Patrick Mekari (who filled in for both tackles as needed).
Post June 1 Cut, Trade -- Tyus Bowser
Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Tyus Bowser (54) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Cap saving: $5,500,000
Dead cap hit: $2,000,000
Bowser has been up and down since being drafted by the Ravens in the 2nd round back in 2017.
During his first four seasons, he never started more than two games. Then, in 2021, he started all 17 games and set career-highs in sacks (7), solo tackles (33), and QB hits (15). After signing a four-year, $22 million extension, Bowser has played nine games since.
A torn Achilles in ’21 and offseason knee surgery following the 2022 season caused Bowser to miss every game this past season.
Bowser has only one year left on his extension and a team-friendly cap hit.
Cut, Post June 1 Cut, Trade Patrick Ricard
Oct 1, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Baltimore Ravens fullback Patrick Ricard (42) runs after a catch in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Cap savings: $4,000,000
Dead cap hit: $1,155,000
Ricard is entering the final year of his contract and has a $4 million base salary for 2024.
A talented player, and fan favorite, Ricard saw a reduction in snaps this season as Baltimore transitioned to a more wide open style of play.
A contract extension would reduce his salary cap number, but Ricard could also part ways with a team tight with salary.
Cut, Post June 1 Cut Morgan Moses
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – JANUARY 06: T.J. Watt #90 of the Pittsburgh Steelers tries to get by Morgan Moses #78 of the Baltimore Ravens in the third quarter of a game at M&T Bank Stadium on January 06, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Cap savings: $5,500,000
Dead money: $1,460,000
Teams don’t normally move on from both offensive tackles, so if Ronnie Stanley is cut, Moses will likely return.
Baltimore’s confidence in Daniel Faalele being ready and able to step into the starting role would also be a factor.
Cut, Post June 1 Cut, Trade Justice Hill
Jan 20, 2024; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Justice Hill (43) runs the ball against the Houston Texans during the second quarter of a 2024 AFC divisional round game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Cap savings: $2,470,588
Dead cap hit: $500,000
If you have Derrick Henry in a potential free agent signing and Keaton Mitchell returning from injury, maybe Baltimore drafts a running back and allows Gus Edwards to depart in free agency, while cutting Hill outright.
The hard running dual-threat has that physical edge that the Ravens love, but he’s not elite and nor is he a game changer.
Cut, Post June 1 Cut, Trade Patrick Mekari
(AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)
Cap savings: $4,350,000
Dead cap hit: $2,000,000
Like Justice Hill, Mekari is a high valued player that offers size and versatility.
The Ravens would save $4.35 million with the move and he could replaced by a mid or late round draft pick.
Post June 1 Cut Marlon Humphrey
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington (11) catches a pass against Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey (44) during the second quarter of a regular season NFL football matchup Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Baltimore Ravens defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 23-7. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
Cap savings: $11,750,000
Dead money: $11,127,800
Still only 27 years old, Humphrey signed a 5-year contract extension with the Ravens in 2020 worth $97.5 million in new money with $40.3 million in full guarantees at signing. Humphrey has an additional $30 million in vesting and roster bonus guarantees through the contract, bringing the total guarantee to $70.3 million.
The Ravens converted $9.42 million of salary to a bonus in 2023, creating $7.536 million in cap room. Humphrey’s cap number from 2024 to 2026 increased by $1.884 million annually. There is now an additional void year in 2027.
Humphrey, a three-time Pro Bowl player, missed a career-high eight games this season with foot, hamstring and calf injuries. In 10 games, he had 26 tackles, five passes defensed and one interception.
Baltimore finished with the No. 6 pass defense in the NFL without him and didn’t allow a 300-yard passer this season heading into its AFC title loss to the Chiefs.
It’s unlikely to happen, but the Ravens would still have a stout defensive unit with the move.
Post June 1 Cut Mark Andrews
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – JANUARY 28: Mark Andrews #89 of the Baltimore Ravens reacts during the first quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game at M&T Bank Stadium on January 28, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Cap savings: $11,000,000
Dead money: $5,907,611
Andrews signed a four-year, $56 million contract with the Ravens on September 6, 2021. Andrews received $37.58 million in guarantees, of which $30 million was guaranteed at signing.
Andrews had a down season due to injury but should return to form in 2024, but with Isaiah Likely’s emergence, a move could be made.
