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Why Ryan Jensen is the top free agent for the Ravens to re-sign

By Chris Schisler

BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 3: Center Ryan Jensen #66 of the Baltimore Ravens takes the field prior to the game against the Detroit Lions at M&T Bank Stadium on December 3, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 3: Center Ryan Jensen #66 of the Baltimore Ravens takes the field prior to the game against the Detroit Lions at M&T Bank Stadium on December 3, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Getty Images) /
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The Baltimore Ravens should be very interested in re-signing Ryan Jensen this offseason.

Ryan Jensen is a key free agent that the Baltimore Ravens must retain this offseason. The Ravens have a chance to have a great offensive line. Ronnie Stanley, Alex Lewis, Jensen, Marshall Yanda and Austin Howard would be a powerful starting five. If the purple and black retain Jensen, the offensive line will be locked up for next season.

The offensive line showed some impressive depth this season. James Hurst (another free-agent) and Matt Skura proved to be at least capable fill ins at the guard positions. Jermaine Eluemunor got some key snaps as well. With Lewis and Yanda returning and Nico Siragusa getting his “real” rookie season, the offensive line has plenty of tools moving forward.

The key here is that the Ravens bring back Jensen. The Ravens have players who can play guard or tackle, but Jensen is their one true center. Before the season there was speculation that Lewis or Siragusa could be moved to the center position. While a transition like that is possible, it doesn’t mean it is easy. If Jensen was snatched up by another team, Ozzie Newsome would be wise to bring in a center.

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The franchise tag isn’t an option for the center position. The franchise tag pays a player one year with a top five salary for his position. While centers don’t make the money that that offensive tackles do, there is just one offensive lineman tag. Secondly, Jensen is not a top five center. He is good but that would pay him like he’s elite.

One could argue that Mike Wallace is the top free agent. However he is a receiver in his 30’s and he is much more replaceable. The Ravens need to overhaul the wide receiver position. Wallace can be a part of the the new look offense but he can’t be the top target going forward. Bringing back Jensen eliminates a problem.

Bringing him back would be a nice change of pace:

The Ravens are used to being priced out of the sweepstakes for their own offensive linemen. In recent memory, Ben Grubbs, Kelechi Osemele and Rick Wagner have all left for ridiculously lucrative deals. Jensen is a young player who played well in his only year as a full time starter. Hopefully teams will see him as an unproven player. What they will more likely see, is a promising player entering his prime with little wear and tear.

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History would dictate that the Ravens will have to say goodbye to Jensen. However with Jensen, the Ravens could change that pattern. Baltimore desperately needs to add to their play-making positions and securing the offensive line, early into the offseason, would free them up to do so. Re-signing Jensen is the first thing on the to do list. Baltimore cannot over pay to do it but they have to try. It would be a nice change of pace to bring back a free agent offensive lineman.

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