What are the moves for the upcoming Ravens offseason?

With the regular season ending, and the postseason and the offseason right around the corner the Ravens have many things to consider for the upcoming 2024 season. With many key players hitting the free-agent market, the Ravens have some choices. Any other team can sign many game-changing players like Odell Beckham Jr. and Patrick Queen, so the Ravens have to make moves on their star-studded lineup soon.

Arguably, the most impactful player on this list is Justin Madubuike. Justin is having a career year, totaling 13 sacks, 37 tackles, and two forced fumbles. Madubuike put his name on the map this season by being selected for his first Pro Bowl. He was a wrecking ball for the Raven’s cut-throat defense all year. The only negative to this is his stock has risen tremendously. He will want around 20 million dollars a year, and the question is, should the Ravens pay him that? The short answer to that is yes. This will make the offseason harder because we have less money to spend, but it is the right move to keep this defense dominant.

Another crucial part of this defense is the linebacker duo with Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen. This is the best linebacker duo and maybe the best overall duo in the league. Patrick Queen will become a free agent at the end of this year, and the Ravens can resign him or let him walk. The likelihood of him being back is very low as the Ravens have declined his fifth-year option. Most Baltimore fans would like to see him in the purple and black for years to come. Resigning Queen would mean you continue to have the most dominant defense in the league. He is also to want around 20 million a year, which does stretch the Ravens thin, but it is the right move.

Switching over to the other side of the ball, Gus Edwards can leave at the end of the season if he so pleases. He would be a cheap backfield addition that would help keep the offense intact. With the signing of Dalvin Cook, the Ravens will most likely let go of Edwards, Dobbins, or Cook at the end of the season. This is a tough decision, but at least one will go.

As much as fans are starting to fall in love with OBJ and his playmaking abilities, his time in Baltimore will be up shortly if he requests what analysts say he will. He is making 15 million this year, and that cannot continue if the Ravens wish to keep more critical players like Madubuike and Queen. Bringing OBJ back to Baltimore is a long shot, but there still is a chance he will sign a much smaller contract for next year.

A vital part of the Raven’s success this year has been the Raven’s O-Line. Many times this year, Lamar has had upwards of 7 seconds to throw the ball. While some of that is Lamar’s playmaking ability, it is mainly because of the O Line. One of the leaders up front is at the end of his contract, Kevin Zeitler. But the Ravens should not let him leave. He has been consistent and remains a brickwall for the Ravens. Instead, the Ravens should let John Simpson, who is also a free agent, walk. Simpson is the starting left guard for the Ravens. But they did draft Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu and Andrew Vorhees, who both can play guard.

If OBJ leaves, the Ravens must redraft a receiver or pick one up in free agency. Two great options in free agency are Micheal Pittman and Mike Evans. Both would be a great pick and would be scary for any team that has to play us in the future. Although both would be very expensive, picking up a true Wide Receiver 1 would be worth it.

Another free agency signing that needs to happen is the Ravens getting two veteran edge rushers. They did that this year with Clowney and Van Noy. I think the fans would love it if they were back next year. Both approach the end of their one-year stints with Baltimore. But all Ravens fans would love to have them back next year.

Overall, the Ravens have many key pieces on both sides of the ball, leaving at the end of this season, and they need to spend their money wisely.

Gabe Plusen is a junior member of the Multimedia Journalism class.

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Gabriel Plusen

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