Baltimore Ravens: 5 players who won’t be back in 2022
By Justin Fried
3. Anthony Averett, CB, Ravens
This is probably the trickiest player on this list. Anthony Averett is a good player, and he’s proved this season that he can handle a starting role in the NFL.
The Ravens always like to have a deep and talented secondary and they would certainly love to retain Averett this offseason. Unfortunately, doing so might be a challenge.
Averett is one of a number of Ravens players on expiring contracts this offseason. Mark Andrews already received his extension, but after him, the likes of Bradley Bozeman and DeShon Elliott seem likely to receive new deals.
There’s also the impending extension for Lamar Jackson that will take precedence over all.
The Ravens will likely want Averett back, but it might be tricky to make the financials work. On top of that, there’s no guarantee that Averett will want to re-sign anyway.
The former Alabama star has proved that he’s a starting-caliber cornerback in the absence of Marcus Peters. The cornerback position is at a premium in today’s NFL and there will likely be teams out there willing to pay top dollar for Averett’s services on the open market.
Certainly more than the Ravens can and will be able to afford.
Averett will have his options, and the Ravens won’t be able to offer him the financial reward or the playing time that he deserves.
The Ravens would love to re-sign Anthony Averett. But sometimes, these things just don’t work out.