Offense Or Defense? Ravens Face Defining Decision This Free Agency Period
The Baltimore Ravens will be looking to add several pieces in free agency as the franchise looks to go one better in 2024 after falling agonizingly short of its goal to reach the Super Bowl.
With needs on both sides of the football, the Ravens have a decision to make regarding whether they go offense or defense in the upcoming free agency period, however that is easier said than done given Baltimore's salary cap situation.
NFL.com thinks that Baltimore has a tough decision to make regarding how it approaches free agency.
"General manager Eric DeCosta and head coach John Harbaugh have a decision to make with limited cap space this offseason: shore up their pass rush or maintain an offensive line that helped reigning MVP Lamar Jackson to throw for a career-high 3,066 yards from inside the tackle box," NFL.com writes.
The Ravens' offensive line looms as perhaps its most important area to solidify as getting Lamar Jackson's protection sorted is likely high on the to-do list.
Given how well Jackson played in his first season under Todd Monken, improvement is expected in 2024, but that could largely be determined by how Lamar's offensive line looks come Week 1.
"Starting tackles Ronnie Stanley and Morgan Moses missed a combined seven games in 2023, but the more pressing issue is in the interior, where incumbent guards John Simpson and Kevin Zeitler are set to hit the open market," NFL.com writes.
Then there's the defense.
With Mike Macdonald now head coach in Seattle, the Ravens now have Zach Orr in charge and the defense is likely going to lose star linebacker Patrick Queen, Geno Stone and potentially pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney as all are set to hit the open market.
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That brings up the idea that Baltimore needs to plug in those gaps on defense as that is a lot of star power set to walk out the door.
"The Ravens have been the gold standard at handling defensive turnover, but the prospect of losing coordinator Mike Macdonald as well as their 2023 pressure leader in Jadeveon Clowney (71 pressures), linebacker Patrick Queen and safety Geno Stone is daunting," NFL.com continued. "The decision to franchise tag DT Justin Madubuike will help smooth the transition, as he led the league with 38 pressures from a 3-technique alignment last season."
As we can see, the Ravens have glaring needs on both sides of the ball, and general manager Eric DeCosta and head coach John Harbaugh will need to figure out which way the franchise will go in free agency and then the NFL Draft.
With Baltimore having one of the best rosters in football last season, with key pieces set to move on, the Ravens could look vastly different in 2024. But the franchise is known for picking up bargain deals and getting players who seemingly were on the way out back to their career-best form.
Which way will the Ravens go? Build more around Jackson or inject further firepower into Orr's defense?
We're about to find out.
