Pundits Expect Ravens to Re-Sign Stanley 'In the Coming Days'
During his NFL Scouting Combine interview, Ravens General Manager Eric DeCosta expressed confidence in re-signing left tackle Ronnie Stanley. And along with DeCosta's confidence comes expectations from those around the league, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
"The sense out of Indy is that the Ravens and left tackle Ronnie Stanley can agree to terms on an extension in the coming days," Fowler wrote. "Some inside the league are projecting that deal to land somewhere between $21-23 million per year."
It would be a significant domino in the Ravens' offseason to land Stanley, as they'll have what many named their biggest offseason priority accomplished in retaining the star protector for Lamar Jackson.
If the Ravens aren't able to re-sign Stanley, ESPN’s Mike Reiss noted the New England Patriots, who have the league-most cap space in 2025 of $127 million, are wanting Stanley.
"At the NFL scouting combine, one rival NFL executive said some of the buzz going around was that the Patriots would aggressively pursue veteran Baltimore Ravens left tackle Ronnie Stanley should he make it to unrestricted free agency," Reiss wrote. "It was hardly surprising, and also reflective of the type of conversations that take place at the combine, where front office executives, coaches, scouts, agents and reporters come together to set the stage for the start of free agency (legal negotiating period starting March 10) and the NFL draft (April 24-26)."
Fowler also noted two Ravens are receiving a particularly noteworthy amount of buzz: cornerback Brandon Stephens and offensive lineman Patrick Mekari.
"The Baltimore corner has length and competes. His name came up unprompted in multiple talks with teams," Fowler wrote.
Bleacher Report Writer Suggests Ravens Trade for S Tyrann Matheiu
The Ravens will be looking to add a new safety this offseason to pair with Kyle Hamilton. While Ar'Darius Washington is a restricted free agent and is expected to return, the Ravens will want a third safety for their defense to give Hamilton his versatile role along the line of scrimmage.
Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport suggested the Ravens go after safety Tyrann Matheiu for a 2026 fifth-round pick.
"The New Orleans Saints have to do something to alleviate the worst salary-cap situation in the NFL; they are a staggering $47 million and change over the cap. Deals need to be restructured, players cut, and quite possibly a trade or two," Davenport wrote. "Tyrann Mathieu will be 33 when the 2025 season begins. His last All-Pro nod came in 2020 with the Kansas City Chiefs. Simply put, he isn't the player he once was. But the LSU product is a versatile defensive back who can play multiple positions and posted a rock-solid passer rating against of 76.4 last season."
Stamping approval on the suggested trade is Ebony Bird’s Matt Sidney, who wrote "if this deal is actually in play, general manager Eric DeCosta should make it happen."
"Nobody is saying Mathieu is still in his prime. But the 'Honey Badger' has remained durable, playing in every game since 2021, and he still knows how to make plays," Sidney wrote. "62 tackles, three interceptions, seven pass breakups, and a couple of forced fumbles last season is a great starting point. Forcing turnovers, especially in big games, has seemingly eluded Baltimore, and Mathieu's knack for making big plays would be huge."
Zrebiec Predicts Which Ravens' Free Agents Stay or Go
In one week, the NFL enters the "negotiation period," which permits clubs to contact, and enter into contract negotiations with certified agents of unrestricted free agents. For the Ravens, 18 players are currently set to become UFAs, and The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec predicted which will stay and who will go.
FB Patrick Ricard: Stays
"Ricard wants to remain in Baltimore. The Ravens want that, too," Zrebiec wrote. "Arguably the NFL's top blocking fullback and a five-time Pro Bowler, Ricard has been a major factor in Baltimore's offensive success. The key will be finding a price point that works for both sides. When they signed Ricard to a three-year, $11.25 million deal in 2022, the Ravens allowed the fullback to test the market and wound up retaining him at their price. Only so many teams utilize fullbacks, and many of them already have their guy. That translates into the Ravens being the favorites to keep Ricard."
CB Brandon Stephens: Goes
"Stephens probably cost himself some money with a rocky 2024, but he's still young, durable, versatile and experienced on special teams. He's also just one year removed from playing a premium position at a reasonably high level," Zrebiec wrote. "There will likely be teams that see how sticky Stephens can be in coverage — his primary issue has been finding the football — and feel like they can fix or work around his flaws. The Ravens maintain that they haven't ruled out re-signing him, but that probably only happens if a market for Stephens doesn't develop."
OL Patrick Mekari: Goes
"It would be quite a story if the former undrafted free agent, who has started 53 games and played every position up front, gets a third contract. The Ravens, though, are prioritizing re-signing Stanley. If he returns, they'll probably let Mekari walk," Zrebiec wrote. "The Ravens don't have an internal replacement for Stanley, while Andrew Vorhees is a candidate to step in at left guard for Mekari. Mekari deserves starting guard money on the open market, and that would be tough for the Ravens to match after a Stanley deal. They'd miss Mekari's versatility and toughness."
In all, Zrebiec predicted the Ravens keep six of their 18 UFAs: Stanley, Ricard, linebackers Chris Board and Malik Harrison, wide receiver Tylan Wallace, and cornerback Tre'Davious White.
Pundit Lists Free Agents Ravens Could Consider Targeting
With the NFL Scouting Combine complete, focus now returns to free agency. There's a litany of free agents up for grabs, and Ravenswire’s Glen Erby gave suggestions on who the Ravens should target.
EDGE Azeez Ojulari
"The 25-year-old pass rusher lost some luster with the Giants trading for Brian Burns to join 2022 first-round pick Kayvon Thibodeaux on edge; Ojulari was the odd man out to start last season, playing just 37 percent of the defensive snaps and logging only one sack in the first five games," Erby wrote. "After Thibodeaux suffered a wrist injury that opened the door for Ojulari. The 24-year-old made the most of his return to the starting lineup with five sacks in three games. He's an intriguing free agent and someone Baltimore could take a chance on with David Ojabo not developing."
OG Teven Jenkins
"An often injured offensive guard who originally started his career as an offensive tackle, Jenkins could be a sneaky good pickup with Pro Bowl potential. His 75.4 PFF grade in 2024 was 18th among 135 NFL guards. He's ever-improving, and Jenkins had an average pass-block win rate (92.0%) and a slightly below-average run-block win rate (69.3%) this past season. "
WR Tutu Atwell
"Atwell is a Florida native. The former Louisville star is familiar with Lamar Jackson and would bring added speed to the wide receiver position. Atwell is coming off a career season with new bests in receptions (42) and receiving yards (562). His 13.4 yards per reception were second-most among Los Angeles' receivers in 2024 behind Demarcus Robinson's 16.3. He is also capable of playing all three receiver positions and would give the Ravens quarterback a dynamic playmaker who doesn't need a ton of targets."
