With free agency fast approaching, the Baltimore Ravens will have some tough decisions to make. They’re expected to have nearly $20 million in cap space, and while extending quarterback Lamar Jackson and diminishing his $74.5 million cap hit will free up cash, they’ll also watch money vanish as they look to extend their pending free agents. It’s going to get busy.
Ultimately, the Ravens are going to have to get smart. They should get aggressive to improve their roster after a dumpster fire 2025 season, but they may have to cheap out in select areas. It’s all about getting the best bang for your buck.
Former Miami Dolphins offensive lineman James Daniels hit free agency after recently being released. Daniels played just five games over the past two years due to injuries. If the Ravens were to go after him, it’d be a gamble, but given the Iowa product’s consistency, the reward could pay off.
Ravens could take a gamble on James Daniels in free agency
It goes without saying that the Ravens need significant help on the interior offensive line. Assuming offensive guard Daniel Faalele departs in free agency, there will be a vacancy at the right guard spot. Yes, Daniels suffered back-to-back season-ending injuries: an Achilles tear in Week 4 in 2024 and a pectoral tear in Week 1 in 2025; that’s a red flag. But risks are meant to be taken.
Daniels has been a solid blocker since the moment he was drafted in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft. According to Pro Football Focus, he has turned in a grade of 65.8 or better in six of his eight seasons. That’s the kind of consistency that Baltimore needs, especially with 2025 third-round pick Emery Jones Jr. likely taking over the left guard spot in 2026. They need a proven veteran like Daniels.
The former Hawkeye standout also wouldn’t take too much out of the Ravens’ pockets. According to Spotrac, Daniels is expected to sign for a one-year, $6.8 million contract in free agency. The rough injury history should keep his price on the lower end, and Baltimore could bank on the potential upside with a prove-it deal this offseason.
In the eyes of the Ravens fanbase, Daniels would probably be a bit of an underwhelming addition. He’s nothing spectacular; he’s earned no All-Pro or Pro Bowl honors across his eight-year career. However, he’s always been a solid starter. For Baltimore, even just above-average would be a drastic improvement from the play of guard Andrew Vorhees in 2025 and the play of Faalele for the last two years.
It’ll all depend on where the Ravens choose to spend their money. At the NFL Combine, general manager Eric DeCosta mentioned they’ve offered a market-setting contract to center Tyler Linderbaum. If Linderbaum signs that, the front office may not want to invest a lot more at the guard position. That’s where a player like Daniels could come in.
In that case, they may need a backup plan in the 2026 NFL Draft with the injury worries, but Daniels would be a step up from where they were a year ago.