Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta has said he wants to build a team that can compete for a Super Bowl over the long term.
So, he does walk a delicate balance of putting together a roster that is a mix of veteran and young players.
With Lamar Jackson as the franchise quarterback in the fold, the Ravens should be able to contend for a Super Bowl over the next several years. That was the consensus of ESPN analysts that projected teams that could contend for a title for the next three seasons based on their quarterback, overall roster, front office, drafting ability, and coaching.
The Ravens ranked third behind the top-rated Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Baltimore ranked first among all teams with its ability to draft playmakers and the efficiency of the front office.
“The Ravens are masters of perpetually doing good football business: quality drafting, shrewd free-agent signings and knowing when to extend a player and when to allow him to test free agency,” ESPN’s Field Yates wrote. “With a quarterback in Lamar Jackson whose apex is literally the unanimous MVP of the league in any given year, the Ravens have a chance to challenge in the AFC over each of the next three seasons.”
However, the Ravens do face challenges with their roster after this season.
The Ravens have 19 unrestricted free agents after this season, adding more pressure to a deep playoff run.
Several of these players have key roles with the team, including center Bradley Bozeman, tight end Mark Andrews, defensive end Calais Campbell, safety DeShon Elliott, fullback Pat Ricard and nose tackle Brandon Williams.
That’s a lot of talent to replace if these players test the free-agent market.
The Ravens also want to reach a contract extension with Jackson, and that could cost them $40 million annually.
As a result, there won’t be as much money for other free agents.
“It will change the way that we do contracts, potentially,” DeCosta said earlier this offseason. “We will have to be probably a little bit more careful about which players we sign and which players we don’t sign. We may lose some good, young players.
“That’s unfortunately just the salary cap age that we’re in, and it happens to every single team. So, we’ll be aggressive, if possible. I think the Draft will continue and will always remain the lifeblood of this organization when it comes to building this team and building the roster, and Draft picks will be more important than ever.”
The priority is signing Jackson to the long-term deal. Then, DeCosta can turn his attention to some of the other players.
However, the Ravens have consistently drafted well and that helps them replenish the ranks when players leave.
That strategy is not going to change as DeCosta places an emphasis on drafting players that can make an almost immediate impact.
The team is focused on winning a Super Bowl this season.
The future will take care of itself.
“I’m focused on getting a Super Bowl. I’m focused on getting better,” Jackson said. “I’m focused on working with my teammates right now. … Like I said before, I’m focused on winning right now. I’m trying to bring a Super Bowl here.”
