Ebony Bird
FanSided

Who is next in line: Ronnie Stanley or Marlon Humphrey

By Chris Schisler

ORCHARD PARK, NY - DECEMBER 8: Ronnie Stanley #79 of the Baltimore Ravens looks to make a block for Mark Ingram #21 as he runs the ball during the second half against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field on December 8, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. Baltimore beats Buffalo 24 to 17. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY - DECEMBER 8: Ronnie Stanley #79 of the Baltimore Ravens looks to make a block for Mark Ingram #21 as he runs the ball during the second half against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field on December 8, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. Baltimore beats Buffalo 24 to 17. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 3
Next
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 03: Cornerback Marlon Humphrey #44 of the Baltimore Ravens scores a 70 yard turnover touchdown after wide receiver Julian Edelman #11 of the New England Patriots (not pictured) fumbled during the third quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on November 3, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 03: Cornerback Marlon Humphrey #44 of the Baltimore Ravens scores a 70 yard turnover touchdown after wide receiver Julian Edelman #11 of the New England Patriots (not pictured) fumbled during the third quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on November 3, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /

The moral of the story:

The thing you have to takeaway from this conversation is that the Ravens have to keep Marlon Humphrey and Ronnie Stanley for the long run. Both players are incredibly important pieces to the story. If the Ravens extend Stanley they are securing the best possible future for their MVP quarterback and the offense. If the Ravens lock Humphrey down with a long-term deal, they are taking care of their best defensive player since Ray Lewis and Ed Reed departed after the 2012 season.

Do the Ravens have to add talent to their team this offseason? Yes. With that being said, they have to do it with the understanding that they have to make deals with Stanley and Humphrey. Being proactive is the best thing they can do. If DeCosta had his way, he may want to get a deal done with Stanley the most. Stanley could end up being the highest paid player in Ravens history, that contract is going to take a ton of work. Humphrey is going to be paid in line with the top-tier cornerbacks. Stanley is probably going to be paid more than any left tackle in the game, at least when he signs on the bottom line of the contract.

Next. 4 potential roster cuts for the Ravens to keep an eye on. dark

The Ravens went 14-2 in 2019. They had the best regular season in franchise history. They have to be aggressive in looking for the missing pieces, yet none of that matters if they don’t build around elite players. Keeping Stanley and Humphrey for a long time is just as important as adding pass rush and finding a receiver. The Ravens have to find the player or players that will help them win a championship now; at the same time the Ravens have to keep their championship window open as long as possible by keeping their two most valuable pieces to the Jackson era.

Home/Ravens News