The NFL offseason is underway, and as the Ravens work to retool their roster for the 2024 season, it’s not too early for a look at a potential contract extension.
Baltimore has 11 unrestricted free agents scheduled for 2025, and extending several vital starters and contributors could create future cap space.
With the new league year fast approaching, we’re looking at seven early candidates to land a contract extension.
OL Patrick Mekari
Baltimore could move on from offensive tackles Ronnie Stanley and Morgan Moses. Extending Mekari would create $2,580,000 in salary cap space.
Mekari made seven starts between the right and left side filling in for Stanley and Moses, who dealt with knee and shoulder injuries.
RB Justice Hill
Hill set career highs in rushing attempts (84) and yards (387) for the second year in a row and finished with three rushing touchdowns. Hill also exceeded his combined career total in targets (39), receptions (28), and receiving yards (206) and scored his first career receiving touchdown in 16 games.
Lamar finds Justice Hill on the wheel route for six!
📺: #MIAvsBAL on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/sFjqko01pD pic.twitter.com/um1SQA7dm1— NFL (@NFL) December 31, 2023
CB Brandon Stephens
Stephens started 16 games at cornerback, and the converted safety logged two interceptions, and a 65.5 grade in coverage.
An extension would create $1,648,800 in cap space.
WR Tylan Wallace
Wallace could move up the depth chart and take over as the returner, and he offers solid playmaking skills as an outside receiver.
LB Odafe Oweh
Oweh recorded five sacks and a pair of forced fumbles in 13 games this past season. He continues to improve and should sign an extension.
WR Rashod Bateman
Bateman (32 catches, 367 yards, one touchdown) played a career high 16 games in 2023, and while Baltimore is still awaiting a breakout season, he’s a solid third or fourth option.
OL Ben Cleveland
Baltimore’s two starting guards, Kevin Zeitler and John Simpson, are free agents.
Between Ben Cleveland, Sala Aumavae-Laulu and Andrew Vorhees, the Ravens should be solid at offensive guard.