The Baltimore Ravens have more than 20 players, including names like Kevin Zeitler and Justin Madubuike, scheduled to hit free agency. Eric DeCosta has said that his main focus this offseason will be on continuity and keeping most of the pieces from an AFC finalist together.
Baltimore will also use this as an opportunity to thin the herd just a bit, figuring out which players from last year either don't fit in with what DeCosta and John Harbaugh are trying to build or looking at those who simply don't have the baseline talent needed to last in the NFL for much longer.
Even though 2023 MVP Lamar Jackson is entering his prime, the Ravens have a fairly old roster that could use a fresh injection of new blood the 2024 NFL Draft might be able to provide. This could spell the end for a few players who were already on the back nine of their professional careers.
These three Ravens not only face challenges when it comes to returning to the Ravens, but they could find it very difficult to sign with a team. Their age, performance, and past history could cause some teams to doubt the validity of giving any one of these players a bigger deal.
3 Baltimore Ravens free agents who could be forced into retirement
3. WR Laquon Treadwell
The Ravens became the fifth team in five years to try to make Treadwell work, but the success the former Ole Miss star and first-round pick had in college never translated to the pros. The Ravens rolled the dice, and he rewarded them with all of one catch in his limited opportunities.
Treadwell always had great size and physicality for the position, but he never picked up the long speed or separation at the line of scrimmage needed to succeed in the NFL. With Jackson and the Ravens clamoring for a physical X receiver who can win 50/50 balls on the outside, Treadwell didn't utilize his path to limited playing time.
Laquon Treadwell could be done after leaving the Baltimore Ravens
The former Vikings first-round draft pick is now 28 years old, has only topped 400 yards in a season once (Urban Meyer Jaguars), and has been cast aside by five different teams. The writing is on the wall, even if Treadwell may not see it yet.
While certainly not a part of Balitmore's long-term plans, Treadwell was unsuccessful in his attempt to convince a team that he is worth rolling the dice on. Unless he is willing to give the UFL league a try, Treadwell may have played his last NFL game in what was an underwhelming career.
2. DE Brent Urban
Urban came to the Ravens as a seldom-known fourth-round pick in 2014, and he has since built a very strong career in Baltimore for six of his nine professional seasons. Urban picked up a career-best three sacks last year and amassed 22 tackles as a rotational defensive lineman.
Bringing Urban back in the same offseason where Baltimore's top three sack-masters from 2023 in Madubuike, Jadeveon Clowney, and Kyle Van Noy are all hitting free agency seems unlikely. Given his limited pass rush upside and his trademark run-stuffing taking a minor step backward, Urban isn't the most attractive free agent out there.
Baltimore Ravens DE Brent Urban might find it hard to sign in 2024
Urban's best chance at finding one last chance to chase a ring is to look around the league for coaches that run a similar scheme to what Baltimore has. Perhaps Mike Macdonald in Seattle will be interested? Without that, a quality career that very few expected would come to fruition may come to an end.
Someone out there should sign Urban, as having a versatile veteran on the defensive line can be invaluable for a team that has young studs who need mentoring and fine-tuning. As it pertains to the Ravens, fans should be surprised (albeit pleasantly) if he returns to Baltimore next season.
1. WR Odell Beckham Jr.
Beckham is absolutely good enough to be on an NFL roster next year. At this stage of his career, he's a quality No. 3 wide receiver for a passing offense that has more established studs ahead of him. There are two main factors working against the immensely talented veteran as a 2024 free agent.
His price tag was well north of eight figures last year, and his solid play didn't live up to the price. Beckham will likely need to take a big pay cut in 2024 to sign, which it is unknown if he will do. His durability is a question as well. Beckham will be 32 years old, had injuries in the past, and hasn't played 16 games in a season since 2019 with the Cleveland Browns.
Will the Baltimore Ravens sign Odell Beckham Jr?
The Ravens have declared they intend to pursue a reunion with Beckham, but they could change their minds if they either are unable to meet his asking price or select a young player with some aplomb in the 2024 NFL Draft. Both of thee scenarios are veyr realistic.
Beckham's market would then be limited to contenders who both need a third wide receiver and are willing to give him a big lump sum to do so. Even if the show-stopping alien we saw early in his career is gone, this reworked version of Beckham may not be a lock to return to a contender next year.