The Ravens’ defense was a major factor in the team’s run to the AFC title game in 2023. The unit has already seen a number of departures on the sidelines, and several key players are set to reach free agency. Baltimore is prepared to pay considerable attention to the other side of the ball, however.
Both starting guards from this past season – Kevin Zeitler and John Simpson – are on track to reach free agency. Right tackle Morgan Moses is a potential cut candidate, and the same could also be true of left tackle Ronnie Stanley. As The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec details, therefore, additions along the offensive line will be a top priority for the Ravens (subscription required). 
Zeitler was in talks with the team earlier this month on a new contract, and an agreement could still be reached at any time. However, the 33-year-old’s contract was among those which voided recently, creating a 2024 dead cap charge of $4.27MM regardless of if a new pact is worked out or he departs in free agency. Zeitler earned a Pro Bowl nod for the first time in 2023, and he has proven to be a dependable RG contributor over his three years in Baltimore.
Moses is under contract for 2024 at a cap hit of just under $7MM. Releasing him would create $5.5MM in cap space, though, financial resources which could be applied to retaining the team’s group of pending free agents.
Moving on from Stanley, a former first-team All-Pro, would be a more notable move but one which would likewise produce cap savings. A post-June 1 release would provide $15MM in savings against $11.17MM in dead cap charges. Stanley, who is entering his age-30 campaign and has not played more than 13 games in a season since 2019, is set to carry cap hits of more than $26MM in 2024 and ’25. The former first-rounder does not have any guaranteed salary remaining on his pact, but he is due a $4MM roster bonus on March 18. More clarity on his future could arrive by that deadline, but in any event there will likely be new faces up front for Baltimore.
As Zrebiec notes, swing tackle Patrick Mekari and reserve guard Ben Cleveland could be in line for full-time starting gigs. 2022 fourth-rounder Daniel Faalele, along with 2023 draftees Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu and Andrew Vorhees could also see playing time moving forward. Of that trio, only Faalele has seen regular season action to date, however. Moves in both free agency and the draft should be expected as Baltimore aims to protect Lamar Jackson and maintain its league-leading run game from last year.
“Obviously, this year, we’re going to have, probably, some change on the offensive line in different ways,” general manager Eric DeCosta said at the Combine. “It remains to be seen exactly what that looks like. We will have a plan. Fortunately, this is a deep draft class, as well, so we’ll have a lot of different options in different rounds, players that we like at the offensive line position.”
The Ravens currently have $16.6MM in cap space, a figure which will change dramatically once D-tackle Justin Madubuike signs a new deal or receives the franchise tag. Resources will also be diverted to the offensive line, though, and the plan the team implements on that front will be worth watching as the offseason takes shape.