Ravens offseason primer: Bill due on home-grown goods

Baltimore Ravens

2023 record: 13-4

Projected salary cap space: Over the cap

Offseason storylines: For the first time in three years the springtime narrative won't involve the contract status of Lamar Jackson. Jackson claimed his second NFL MVP award in the first season of a five-year, $260 million contract in 2023. Now the Ravens are shopping on a limited budget that will test their grow-your-own keepers philosophy and likely parting with multiple players they drafted, developed, started but can't afford.

Team Needs: OT, RB, LB, CB, DL

Losing ILB Patrick Queen or DT Justin Madubuike might shuffle needs by the open of free agency. Ronnie Stanley's availability has been a constant question at left tackle, both starting guards are free agents and injuries at running back underscore the need for a gamechanger at the position. Top back Gus Edwards is a free agent; J.K. Dobbins, too.

Top free agent: DT Justin Madubuike - Wideout Odell Beckham Jr appears headed for a new address after one season at $15 million and a team could overspend to acquire Queen, whose star climbed as a tag-team partner of Roquan Smith at the heart of Baltimore's 3-4. Keeping Madubuike (13 sacks in 2023) is a pricey proposition. Not keeping him might be even more costly. He would be next to impossible to replace instantly given the Ravens' tight cap and draft slot.

Unrestricted free agents (as of March 13):

WR Odell Beckham Jr.

OLB Jadeveon Clowney

CB Ronald Darby

RB J.K. Dobbins

KOR/PR Devin Duvernay

RB Gus Edwards

OLB Malik Harrison

QB Tyler Huntley

DT Justin Madubuike

CB Arthur Maulet

CB Trayvon Mullen

ILB Del'Shawn Phillips

LG John Simpson

S Geno Stone

ILB Patrick Queen

DE Brent Urban

OLB Kyle Van Noy

DB Daryl Worley

CB Rock Ya-Sin

RG Kevin Zeitler

—Field Level Media