It may have been tough for Ravens fans to watch the Super Bowl, but at least there was football to see.
Now we're officially into the offseason – no football Sunday, no upcoming games to anticipate. However, they'll be plenty of offseason news with the combine, free agency and draft on the way.
Monday at 4 p.m. is the deadline for teams to reach deals with free agents who had void years tacked onto the end of their contracts. Baltimore has five players in that category – Gus Edwards, Kevin Zeitler, Nelson Agholor, Geno Stone and Rock Ya-Sin.
Here are some of my offseason thoughts on the Ravens, all in 50 words or less:
It will be interesting to see if the Ravens and Zeitler can reach an agreement by Monday. The starting right guard enjoyed his first Pro Bowl season and Zeitler said that he wants to remain in Baltimore. A new deal for him could be a win-win.
Having a strong offensive line has always been a priority for General Manager Eric DeCosta and Head Coach John Harbaugh. This year's draft is being billed as particularly deep at offensive line. Sounds like the Ravens could be picking a lineman or two.Â
Staying with offensive linemen, Andrew Vorhees is a player to watch this summer. Baltimore made him a seventh-round pick last year after he tore his ACL at the Combine. The Ravens like his potential and he'll get an opportunity to display it.Â
There's a chance the Ravens will open the 2024 season at Arrowhead Stadium to face the Chiefs. I'm up for that. Beating Kansas City wouldn't erase what happened in the AFC Championship, but it'd be a heck of a way for Baltimore to start a new campaign.
Ten ESPN pundits were recently asked to predict the teams that will reach next year's Super Bowl. None of them picked the Ravens, nor did anyone pick Lamar Jackson to win the MVP. Somebody should make sure Jackson sees that. He is fueled by naysayers.
Dre Greenlaw of the 49ers suffered an unfortunate freak Achilles injury in the Super Bowl, but Baltimore apparently escaped two playoff games without any major injuries. The Ravens enter this offseason healthier than they've been in many recent years.
Edge rusher Malik Hamm should get another chance to earn playing time once OTAs and training camp begin. Hamm made the initial 53-man roster as an undrafted rookie in 2023 before landing on injured reserve. Hamm showed burst as a pass rusher throughout training camp and preseason.
In his first mock draft, NFL Network draft guru Daniel Jeremiah has the Ravens taking Oregon wide receiver Troy Franklin. If that happened, he'd be Baltimore's fourth first-round wide receiver in six years after Marquise Brown (2019), Rashod Bateman (2021) and Zay Flowers (2023).
Speaking of the draft, Kool-Aid McKinstry of Alabama is one of the cornerback prospects who might be in Baltimore's range with the 30th pick. We know the Ravens love Alabama corners. And how can you not like someone with a nickname like Kool-Aid?
Tyler Linderbaum made his first Pro Bowl this year. Marshal Yanda, who is eligible for the next Pro Football Hall of Fame class, made eight Pro Bowls during his stellar career. I think Linderbaum has the potential to make as many Pro Bowls as Yanda.
