Ravens' lack of cap space could hurt defense
Cap-strapped Baltimore could lose several key players on defense this week.
Marcus Peters, Justin Houston, and Jason Pierre-Paul will be able to agree in principle to go to new teams by the end of the day.
Legal tampering begins today in the NFL, which means that several defensive starters for Baltimore will be allowed to talk to other teams and pursue a deal.
After putting the non-exclusive franchise tag on QB Lamar Jackson, the team is not only limited to what kind of players they can bring in, but which starters they can bring back.
Baltimore's defense played a key role in their postseason push in 2022. The Ravens allowed the third least points in the league in 2022 according to Pro Football Reference. In the absence of Jackson through the final stretch of their season, the Ravens' defense held all of their opponents under 20 points.
The Ravens have already had several cap casualties, including safety Chuck Clark, who was traded to the Jets, and defensive end Calais Campbell, who was released.
Baltimore will be limited on signing players from outside the organization because of Jackson's looming contract extension. If Jackson gets extended, the Ravens will have to clear even more space than they have for his franchise tag hit.
The team will also need to reckon with having only five picks in the 2023 NFL Draft. With limited options in free agency and the draft, Baltimore must pick up starters on the cheap.
Peters is the name that is most likely to depart per The Athletic. The former two-time All-Pro is coming off a season hampered by a knee injury.
Peters leads the league in interceptions at 32 since coming into the league in 2015. He is, however, 30 with an injury history. Baltimore will have to decide if it is worth it to bring Peters back if he is even in their price range.
Houston and Pierre-Paul are in the twilight of their careers but provided good veteran value for Baltimore in 2022. Both players could likely be re-signed at a discount and would help fill the Ravens' hole at edge rusher until they can draft a suitable starter at pass rusher.
By re-signing players like Houston and Pierre-Paul the Ravens can limit the positions they need to fill in the draft and free agency. They may be old and prone to regression, but that could be better for the short term than bringing in rookies or fresh-faced free agents.
Baltimore's best bet will be to re-sign as many of their veterans on cheap deals to stay competitive now. With only five draft picks in the upcoming draft, building the team with veterans seems like the best bet.
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