Ronnie Stanley Signs 3-Year, $60 Million Deal to Remain in Purple and Black

Ronnie Stanley has been a franchise cornerstone tackle since he came to Baltimore, exactly what the Ravens’ front office envisioned when they drafted him with the 6th overall pick in 2016. He received his second pro bowl nod last season, a standout on one of the better offensive lines in the league. The Ravens offense became the first in NFL history to throw for 4000 yards and rush for 3000 in the same season. Having Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry in the backfield is a major part of that, but you need superstars in the trenches to get that kind of production. When the Ravens needed a big play or convert a fourth down, the play calling instinct was always to run behind Ronnie. The Ravens frequently ran toss sweep to the left to take advantage of Ronnie’s elite movement in the run game. He is one of the best in the NFL at getting to the second level, as seen here on Derrick Henry’s longest run of the season.

The only question mark about Stanley throughout his career has been his health, and last year could not have gone better for him. He played a full season for the first time since 2018, he had a devastating knee injury the week after he signed a 5-year extension in 2019, which forced him to miss 26 games over the next two seasons. Stanley didn’t live up to last deal through no fault of his own. The Ravens took care of him when he wasn’t fully healthy or confident, so it is good to see that be repaid with a new deal that, while fair, gives the Ravens some salary cap flexibility. Stanley staying in Baltimore proves that the Ravens continue to be one of the most well-respected organizations in the NFL, and that he wants to win a ring here. When Stanley hangs up his cleats, he will be in the Ravens Ring of Honor.

At $20 million per year with $44 million guaranteed, this contract is a bargain for the Ravens. If the 30-year-old Stanley had hit the open market, he would have been the best free agent offensive lineman available. There were reports that Stanley would have received much bigger offers from other teams in the neighborhood of $25 million per year. The Ravens offense would have looked very different without Stanley at left tackle.Keeping a homegrown tackle who is a leader in the locker room was the Ravens number 1 priority this offseason Now they will keep 4 starters on last years line, and they can use their limited cap space and draft picks on other positions of need. 

Patrick Mekari Heads to Jacksonville on 3-Year Deal

The Ravens once again will lose an impact starter on the offensive line in free agency. LG Patrick Mekari landed a 3 year deal worth up to $40 million with $20 million guaranteed. This is a good payday for Mekari a versatile lineman who started all 17 games last year. Mekari, an undrafted free agent signed in 2019, was a gem for the Ravens who could play any position on the offensive line. His stellar play and willingness to do whatever it took to help the team earned him a 3 year contract extension in 2022. Last season, he started 2 early games at right tackle before moving inside to left guard for the rest of the campaign. He had a decent year, but notably got pushed around in 2 losses to the Eagles and Steelers. 

The Ravens are tight on cap space, and could not afford to spend any more on the line after Ronnie’s new contract. With Mekari getting over $12 million per year on average, this will likely net the Ravens a compensatory 4th or 5th round pick in the 2026 draft. This is another reason why the front office was happy to let him go. Whoever replaces Mekari will have the benefit of playing next to 2 pro bowlers in Stanley and center Tyler Linderbaum. The early frontrunner to take over is Andrew Voorhees, a 2023 7th round pick. Voorhees had a great training camp last year and won the starting job at the beginning of the season. Voorhees got hurt midway through the second game of the season, which forced Mekari inside and allowed rookie Roger Rosengarten to slot in at right tackle. The Ravens offense started to click over the next few games, and the team chemistry on the line was strong enough that Voorhees was never given another start once he returned. Another option would be to take a lineman or two in the draft. This draft is very deep in the trenches, and the Ravens will likely invest in both a tackle and a guard, since Mekari’s versatility allowed them to go a bit thinner in personnel. Free agency is an unlikely option, as average guards who hit the open market are getting close to what Stanley was paid.

Brandon Stephens Signs with New York Jets, 3 Years, $36 Million, Ravens Net More Picks

Stephens was an interesting project coming out of the 2021 draft. A former college running back who played only 1 season at cornerback, he was able to carve out a starting role these past 2 years on defense. He had an excellent 2023 campaign with one of the league's best defenses, but he was also one of many underperforming players in the secondary this past season. Stephens allowed the second most yards among CB’s and committed way too many penalties. Still, he has a lot of good tape from the past and is super sticky in coverage. His main problem seems to be locating the ball once it has been thrown. He is often step-for-step with the wideout until the ball is right in his reach, then he either cannot find the ball or fouls the receiver. 

Malik Harrison Departs to Pittsburgh for $10 Million Over 2 years

Veteran inside linebacker Malik Harrison joins the Steelers after a good season in Baltimore. Harrison, a third round pick in the 2020 draft, played a variety of roles during his five year Ravens tenure. Harrison was a core special teamer, then a run stuffing edge, before blossoming into a solid middle linebacker over the past year. Harrison had limited snaps during the first half of the season, but an injury to Roquan Smith gave him an opportunity to play more meaningful snaps. Harrison recorded 13 tackles in a key win over the Chargers in the Harbaugh Bowl. From there, he took over the Will linebacker position next to Smith and played a part in the Ravens defensive turnaround.

Chris Board Signs 2-year/$6 Million Contract with Giants

Board was a nice free agent pick up last offseason. He contributed a ton of special teams snaps, and his experience helped the Ravens defense cope during Roquan Smith’s absence. He got a nice deal for a key special teamer, and may see more playing time depending on the rest of the Giants offseason moves. The Ravens willmiss his leadership. 

Harrison and Board may not have signed for enough money to factor into the compensatory pick formula, so the Ravens will have to find another way to replace them. Roquan Smith is already a starter, and Trenton Simpson will look to earn more snaps in his third season. The Ravens only have 2 inside linebackers on the roster, so look for them to draft one and find a veteran or special teams ace in free agency

This is another positive for the Ravens because they will earn another compensatory pick towards the 2026 draft. Few teams value these picks more than Baltimore, and they are always a huge consideration when deciding who to keep and who will be let go. For example the Ravens will have 4 compensatory picks in this years draft after losing Patrick Queen (4th round pick), Jadeveon Clowney (5th), Geno Stone (6th) and Kevin Zeitler (6th) during the 2024 free agency period. Baltimore has a few positions of need still to address, but there is plenty of time left in free agency, and the draft will be in another month. Keep an eye on BirdlandFlock for more Ravens free agency news throughout this week and beyond.

Source: Over The Cap https://overthecap.com/compensatory-picks