The Baltimore Ravens fell short of their ultimate aim of winning a Super Bowl, losing to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship game. However, they still have one of the league’s most talented cores, and they should challenge for the Super Bowl in 2024.
ESPN’s Aaron Schatz proposed the Ravens make a “bold move” by “cutting OT Ronnie Stanley.”
Schatz writes, “Once upon a time, Stanley was a first-team All-Pro and one of the league’s top left tackles. But that happened five years ago.”
Stanley has tragically devolved into a shell of the All-Pro player he was in 2019 and has failed to live up to the Ravens’ 5-year, $98.75 million contract extension in 2020.
“Stanley struggled last season for the Ravens, and they rotated him with Patrick Mekari,” Schatz went on to say. The rotation occurred near the end of the season and was intended to keep Stanley healthy, which had been a significant concern since he signed his deal.
Schatz went on to say, “Stanley hasn’t played a full season since that 2019 All-Pro year, and he ranked 38th in pass block win rate (87.2%) among tackles in 2023.” The veteran played 13 games this season, the most he’s played since 2019, yet he still missed games due to ailments.
In four seasons, the former All-Pro has played only 31 games. Moving on from Stanley would signal a change in the offense line make up.
Ronnie Stanley Provides Financial Wiggle Room
The Ravens got some good news on Friday, February 23, when the new salary cap was announced. Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network wrote, “The NFL announced today that the 2024 Salary Cap will be $255.4 million per club.”
OverTheCap reports that the Ravens now have $16.1 million in cap space as a result of this historic increase. They still need to address important free agents DT Justin Madubuike, LB Patrick Queen, and safety Geno Stone.
Cutting Stanley would give General Manager Eric DeCosta more resources to target those guys. Stanley now has the second-highest cap hit on the squad, trailing only quarterback Lamar Jackson.
Schatz stated, “Cutting Stanley before June 1 would save $8.3 million on the salary cap but would result in $17.8 million in dead money in 2024. A post-June 1 cut would save $15 million, with $11.2 million in dead money in 2024 and more dead money in 2025.”
A post-June 1 cut would create around $31 million in cap space. The Ravens also want to recruit a top-tier running back, so the increased financial freedom might make the difference.
Replacing Ronnie Stanley Could Be Obstacle
Ronnie Stanley was selected in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft to be the offensive line’s cornerstone left tackle, so replacing him is easier said than done.
“There is no obvious successor for Stanley on this roster. “Mekari is considered more of a swing tackle, a great backup but not a starter capable of protecting Lamar Jackson’s blind side for 17 games,” Schatz said.
The Ravens feature OT Morgan Moses, who has played both tackle positions and performed admirably this season for the team. However, he will be 33 years old when the 2024 season begins, and he will be approaching the final year of his contract.
According to Schatz, “The Ravens are probably going to need to find a replacement for Stanley this offseason, so they might as well get some cap relief while finding a more trustworthy left tackle.”
The Ravens could address the position during the draft. In his most recent mock draft, NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah predicted that the Ravens would select Georgia offensive tackle Amarius Mims.
Mims is a top tackle prospect, and if the Ravens can take him at No. 30, it will make the transition from Stanley much easier.
Ravens' current top-five cap hits for 2024 season
1. QB Lamar Jackson ($32.4M)
2. OT Ronnie Stanley ($26.2M)
3. CB Marlon Humphrey ($22.9M)
4. S Marcus Williams ($18.7M)
5. TE Mark Andrews ($16.9M) pic.twitter.com/VH5Ryq3CeL— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) February 21, 2024
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