Former NFL Executive Says Ravens’ Roster Will Be ‘Under Assault’ Next Week
While most groups in the NFL will buy groceries when free company begins subsequent week, the Ravens determine to principally be watching their free brokers fly off the cabinets. That’s what occurs when you’ve gotten arguably the finest roster in the NFL.
“No roster shall be below higher assault subsequent week than the Ravens’. They are going to have their palms full defending the fort,” former NFL govt Randy Mueller of The Athletic wrote.
The Ravens’ prime offseason precedence is rebuilding the offensive line, which may have as many as 4 new starters in 2024. It’s a deep draft for offensive linemen, however Mueller mentioned counting on rookies to fill beginning roles is dangerous.
“Going younger on the offensive line may be nice … in Year 2 or 3. But that rookie season shall be an journey. And that is solely a part of the drawback,” Mueller wrote. “Needing to discover two or three beginning offensive linemen in one offseason is asking for bother. Filling these spots on paper is far simpler than getting that group to jell and play as one by Labor Day. It’s a unit that should work in unison and construct belief, which takes time. Because of that, if my offensive line has been efficient, I’d at all times need to decrease change. I’d even overpay any person for continuity, even when meaning bypassing a barely higher choice, so long as it isn’t outrageously costlier.”
Mueller famous that the Ravens additionally may lose broad receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and operating backs J.Okay. Dobbins and Gus Edwards, in addition to defensive standouts equivalent to inside linebacker Patrick Queen, outdoors linebackers Jadeveon Clowney and Kyle Van Noy, and security Geno Stone.
“In complete, Baltimore has 10 free brokers in my prime 150, together with eight in the prime 75. That has to make each Ravens fan uneasy,” Mueller wrote.
Mueller mentioned one other issue is what number of former Ravens staffers might be in luring Baltimore’s free brokers.
“Longtime Baltimore personnel man Joe Hortiz is now the Chargers’ GM. My guess is he’ll goal a number of of ‘his guys’ to come west to Los Angeles and play for the youthful Harbaugh brother, Jim,” Mueller wrote. “The similar might be true of [Head Coach] Mike Macdonald in Seattle, [Defensive Coordinator] Anthony Weaver in Miami and [Defensive Coordinator] Dennard Wilson in Tennessee.”
Mueller’s factors are legitimate. But there are lots of huge names on the market, and whereas the Ravens have lots of gamers hitting the open market, the chance stays that a few of them won’t discover the offers they’re searching for elsewhere and return. We’ll have to wait and see.
