The Ravens were able to go 10-7 and make the playoffs during the 2022 season despite former MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson missing five games due to injury. Tyler Huntley started four games for the team including the playoff loss to the Bengals. Questions loom in the offseason. Here is what you need to know about Baltimore Ravens free agency for 2023.
Baltimore Ravens 2023 NFL Free Agents Overview
All eyes are on quarterback Lamar Jackson. The Ravens used the non-exclusive franchise tag on the quarterback. The former NFL MVP will now earn $32.4 million next season if he and the Ravens or any other team can’t reach a contract agreement. If Jackson signs with another team, the Ravens would be free to match the offer, or if they decline they would be entitled to draft compensation.
Running back Kenyan Drake enters the market after rushing for 482 yards and a team-high four touchdowns. He was third on the team in rushing. Justice Hill is also a free agent. He had 49 carries for 262 yards in 2022.
On the offensive line, left guard Ben Powers could end up costing too much money for the team. He’s set to be hitting the open market after starting all 17 games last year.
On defense, there are some key players departing including cornerback Marcus Peters and Justin Houston. Houston lead the team with 9.5 sacks in 14 games and added 21 tackles. Peters had 47 tackles and an interception in 13 games for the team.
Unrestricted Baltimore Ravens Free Agents
To be an unrestricted free agent, there are a couple of qualifications. One is four years of NFL experience. Also, the player’s contract has to have expired or been voided. They can negotiate with any team without any restrictions or draft-choice compensation. Here are the 2023 free agents for the Ravens who are unrestricted.
Quarterbacks
Lamar Jackson – QB (now franchise tagged)
Running Backs
Kenyan Drake – RB
Justice Hill – RB
Wide Receivers and Tight Ends
Sammy Watkins – WR
Josh Oliver – TE
Demarcus Robinson – WR
Centers, Guards, and Tackles
Ja’Wuan James – RT
Ben Powers – G
Defensive Tackles, Defensive Ends, and Edge Rushers
Justin Houston – DE
Jason Pierre-Paul – DE
Steven Means – DE
Linebackers
Vince Biegel – OLB
Cornerbacks and Safeties
Kyle Fuller – CB
Marcus Peters – CB
Trayvon Mullen – CB
Kevon Seymour – CB
Restricted Free Agents
A restricted free agent is a player who has played for three or fewer accrued seasons and has an expiring contract. The team can assign a tender to the player, which allows them to match any offer the player receives from other teams. The team receives draft compensation if the player signs elsewhere.
2023 NFL restricted free agents for the Ravens:
Trystan Colon-Castillo – C
Kristian Welch – LB
Geno Stone – S
Tyler Huntley – QB
Nick Moore – LS (exclusive rights free agent)
Del’Shawn Phillips – LB
Salary Cap and Roster
Projections have the Ravens finding quite a bit of cap room this offseason. The NFL salary cap for the 2023 season is $224.8 million. A big part of what happens next is all about Lamar Jackson. Baltimore used the franchise tag on the quarterback to give themselves more time to reach a long-term extension.
After Jackson, the team has Ronnie Stanley as its biggest cap hit next season. It’s for $23.7 million. Cornerback Marlon Humphrey is second on the team at $19.9 million. The Ravens have the 23rd pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. It’s a crucial 2023 Ravens free agency and draft period for the team.
Ravens Free Agency 2023 FAQs
NFL free agency will commence on March 15, 2023. It begins at 4 p.m. eastern time. The date signifies the start of the new league year and the end of all player contracts. Many players are set to hit the market and gain free agency status.
An unrestricted free agent is a player whose contract has expired, and they have no ties to their former team. Starting on March 15, they are free to negotiate with any team in the league without restrictions.
A restricted free agent can be extended what is called a qualifying offer. If offered, they are still allowed to negotiate with other teams around the league. Their current team is allowed to match any offer.
There is a “legal tampering” period that begins on March 13. Teams can talk to certified agents but no signings can be made until free agency is official.