OTL: What Do Ravens Do at Skill Positions?

Last week, we spent some time talking about the Free Agent group for the Ravens, and what the landscape might look like for addressing some of their big names. If you didn’t see that piece, it’s linked here.

OTL: Tough Roster Decisions Loom

To continue that conversation, rather than focusing on individual players, let’s dive a little deeper into position groups with multiple players to consider. Depending on how these units shake out, they could look a whole lot different by the fall.

Wide Receiver

Free Agents: Odell Beckham, Jr., Nelson Agholor, Devin Duvernay, Laquon Treadwell

For the first time in a very long time, the Ravens receiving unit appeared to be robust throughout the course of the year. It helped that they weren’t plagued by injury as in years past, but it didn’t feel like it was a one-stop shop of Mark Andrews and everyone else. Unfortunately, off-field matters may complicate the future with Zay Flowers, who led the team in receiving at the end of the year, and now you have a crop of guys who contributed last year that may not be back.

Actually looking at this breakdown from Brian, I feel good about the roster. You’re not losing any major pieces. Some tough decisions of course. But basically they should be able to maintain their core, and you just hope some guys take less to stay. Need a good draft. #Ravens https://t.co/Jm9Mg2dohR

— Dev Panchwagh (@devpanchwagh) February 12, 2024

OBJ finished the season second in receiving among Ravens, with 565 yards on 35 receptions through 14 games. With the void years structured into his contract, it would be a hefty number if they let him walk…

Odell Beckham Jr contract breakdown, per https://t.co/aIblUQEybg:

Ravens added four void years to get his 2023 cap hit to $3.9M.

They’d need to extend him to avoid $11M in dead money next yr. An extension would allow them to spread that $11M over any new years added. pic.twitter.com/grYrN1iYz3

— Sarah Ellison (@sgellison) April 12, 2023

…but elsewhere, you wonder about a guy like Nelson Agholor, who proved to be a reliable option. I’d imagine Agholor’s potential return is based on price point, and I certainly wouldn’t mind seeing him back, but with financial demands elsewhere and a 2023 AAV of $3.25 million, I wonder about the likelihood that Baltimore brings him back in lieu of pursuing an option in the draft. Meanwhile, Devin Duvernay is the team’s primary return man, but between special teams hardships this past season and a lack of everyday fit in the offensive scheme, Duv may be headed elsewhere.

With price point in mind, I doubt seriously that Baltimore would take a swing on a big fish in free agency like a Mike Evans or Tee Higgins, and this draft class is deep at receiver, but the biggest prizes at wideout in the draft would likely necessitate the use of their first-round selection. If they forgo a name like Oregon’s Troy Franklin or Texas’ Adonai Mitchell, they could bank on the potential of rising names like Louisville’s Jamari Thrash (who I’m VERY high on as a prospect), Florida’s Ricky Pearsall or Michigan’s Roman Wilson.

Running Back

Free Agents: Gus Edwards, JK Dobbins, Melvin Gordon III, Dalvin Cook

The running back room at present is, for lack of a better term, a cluster. Keaton Mitchell emerged as a true bright spot last season, but an ACL tear threw a wet blanket on the party, and now the Ravens face the likelihood that Mitchell won’t be ready to return until the middle of next season. As much as there’s a feeling of unfinished business with JK Dobbins, I just don’t see that relationship being mended with a new season-ending injury, unless he’s willing to come back on an extremely cheap “prove it” deal. Gus Edwards would likely be your priority re-signing as your featured power back, but with 13 rushing touchdowns last season, is he going to demand a higher number on the free market? Dalvin Cook clearly liked being in Baltimore’s offense, but does he like it enough to take a discount, and have the Ravens seen enough for him to warrant a new deal?

It’s a mess, and I truly don’t know how I’d approach it. Ideally, you need at least one primary speed back and one power back, so trying to ink Gus again wouldn’t be a bad idea. Still, Gus will be 29 by next season, and the Ravens will likely need a succession plan for him soon anyway. At 6’1” and 238 pounds, they don’t make a whole lot of running backs like Gus the Bus, but there are a few power rushers in this draft class who would fit well. Wisconsin’s Braelon Allen, who runs a 4.4 40-yard dash at 6’2” and 240 pounds is enticing, but my gut tells me that the front office looks for a diamond in the rough like they did with Mitchell. Notre Dame’s Audric Estime intrigues me, as he finished last season tied for third in NCAA with 18 rushing touchdowns. Estime is slightly smaller than Gus at 5’11” and 227 pounds, but his portfolio of red zone work makes him a nice fit if Baltimore opts to let Gus go.

In terms of other free agent options at RB, I’ve seen a large contingent of the fanbase who like the idea of Derrick Henry. I enjoy the idea in theory, but between age and price point, if they’re not paying Gus, you can bet they’re not paying Henry. If the price was right for a guy like Josh Jacobs or Saquon Barkley, I’d be all about it, but with paydays in line for guys like Justin Madubuike and Geno Stone, EDC would likely opt for the young (and cheaper) option.

If you’d like to hear a detailed breakdown with guys in the know, you can hear our skipper and our cap Guru Brian McFarland talk through the free agent group here with The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec.

The Front Office Podcast: Tough Roster Decisions Loom

In the meantime, I’ll do my best EDC impression and keep digging into the draft class for you guys. Football’s news cycle never stops, and neither do we.

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