Ravens Free Agency 'Fits': Lamar Jackson Help or Replacement?
The Baltimore Ravens are set to enter an offseason filled with questions, especially on the offense. The team must determine who's going to be catching passes and whether quarterback Lamar Jackson will be the one throwing to them.
The picture of Jackson will grow clearer sometime between now and March 7, the deadline to use the franchise tag. And whether the Ravens use the exclusive or non-exclusive tag will give a good indication of their plans with the former Most Valuable Player.
As things stand, the Ravens have $24.2 million in cap space, per Over The Cap, and 53 players on the roster; they'll likely add another 37 more to reach the 90-player mark for offseason programs.
But the primary focus for Baltimore in the coming weeks is adding veteran impact players, be it to help Jackson or overcome the loss of him.
So, who could the Ravens target during free agency?
ESPN recently named Baltimore as the "best fit" for Detroit Lions receiver D.J. Chark, rated as the No. 36 free agent on the market this spring.
"The Ravens would be adding a vertical stretch target on the perimeter for Jackson. Chark averaged 16.7 yards per reception in 11 games for Detroit last season, separating on deep balls and finding open voids on schemed in-breakers.
"In five pro seasons, he has caught 18 touchdowns, and at 6-foot-4, he could give the Ravens someone who can win on the boundary. Baltimore was last in the NFL last season in wide receiver yardage (1,517)." - Matthew Bowen
Chark, a second-round pick in 2018, has battled injuries but is an explosive presence when on the field. He's also not expected to break the bank, as Spotrac projects a three-year, $28.7 million contract worth $9.5 million per year.
But wait - there's more.
The Ravens' potential expenditures didn't stop with Chark, as ESPN also pegged Cleveland Browns defensive end Jadeveon Clowney as a fit in Baltimore.
"I'm putting Clowney with Baltimore on a one-year deal; I like the fit as a rotational sub-package defender in Mike Macdonald's defense.
"While his production declined in 2022 (two sacks), Clowney still has the physical tools of a straight-line power rusher who can win defined one-on-ones and set a hard edge against the run out of the Ravens' multiple fronts." - Matthew Bowen
Now 30 years old, Clowney's been around the block, spending time with four teams - the Browns, Titans, Seahawks, and Texans - and racked up 43 sacks across nine seasons.
The Ravens finished tied for fifth league-wide with 48 sacks this past season, so adding Clowney, the No. 48 free agent available, at the right price only figures to elevate an already stout area.
Also of note is that ESPN listed Baltimore as Jackson's best fit, claiming that the franchise tag should be a "starting point" for a multi-year contract.
Unsurprisingly, Jackson was the top free agent on the board. If the Ravens are able to secure the two-time Pro Bowler in addition to a pair of other talented pieces in Chark and Clowney, there's no reason to think they can't be back in postseason contention again next season.
You can follow Daniel Flick on Twitter at @DFlickDraft
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