The Baltimore Ravens are far from done with their postseason.
Personally, I tend to lean on them as being the Super Bowl favorite right now. So, the following conversation won't become a reality for a few weeks, yet.
But, as we look ahead to the offseason (while many other teams are already in offseason mode), it's important to note some of the key players coming up on free agency. The Ravens have a few, in particular, that probably won't be back for the 2024 season.
Who are they, and why won't they return?
1. Odell Beckham Jr., WR
It was a fun story. It was great to see Odell Beckham Jr. return to the football field and play (mostly) a full season. However, with Beckham at age 31 and the Ravens desperately needing to figure out their receiving core behind Zay Flowers, it simply wouldn't be smart to bring him back, especially at his asking price.
Beckham made $15 million this year and ended with 35 receptions for 565 yards and three touchdowns. Let's say he agreed to come back for half of that price. Even then, $7.5 million for mediocre production might be too much, but I wouldn't be opposed.
The Ravens have to find some stability here. Flowers has been very good and looks like a cornerstone, but the team still doesn't have that true WR1. We thought maybe Beckham could be that guy, but he just isn't anymore.
2. Gus Edwards, RB
Running back Gus Edwards is another free agent the Ravens will have to make a decision on in the coming weeks.
He has been a steady constant for five years now, but I truly believe the Ravens will opt to move on this offseason. Why would they move on from Edwards after a career-high 13 touchdowns?
Although Edwards ended the season with a career-high in rushing yards (810) as well as touchdowns, he also ended the year with career-lows with 4.1 yards per carry and only a 54 percent rush success rate. Therefore, his efficiency has taken a dip. Sure, he's been a solid short yardage back. But, beyond that, Edwards has been nothing more than average.
These Ravens are contenders, as we've already established. In the offseason, it would not surprise me to see them go after a guy like Derrick Henry in free agency while leaning on Justice Hill, who has proved to be a nice change-of-pace back and also a factor in the passing game. Edwards is about to turn 29, while Hill turned 26 in November. Those are three huge years between the two of them.
I also realize Henry is 30 years old, but he's a different breed. That man doesn't plan on retiring anytime soon.
3. Patrick Queen, LB
Prior to the season, the Ravens declined linebacker Patrick Queen's fifth-year option. This obviously didn't sit well with him, but of course was also a motivating factor for him during what will be his final season with the team. He ended the year with a career-high 133 total tackles, including 84 solo. Queen made his first Pro Bowl team as well as earning All Pro Second Team honors.
In December, Spotrac projected Queen to sign a 4-year deal worth $67 million in the offseason. Queen disagreed with those numbers, which tells me two things. First of all, the Ravens likely wouldn't pay that type of money to Queen after paying Roquan Smith. Secondly, it simply tells me that Queen is as good as gone and will test free agency, likely signing elsewhere.
The Ravens also drafted Queen's probable replacement in the 2023 NFL Draft, in third-round pick Trenton Simpson. This last season, Queen played mostly on special teams. However, once Queen is gone, Simpson should be the one who steps into that role comfortably.
4. Nelson Agholor, WR
Veteran wide receiver Nelson Agholor is coming off his age-30 season and will turn 31 in May. Like Beckham, Agholor is at an age where he doesn't present the Ravens with an WR1 upside. Although he has been serviceable for the Ravens, Baltimore needs to go in a younger direction and find some stability, long-term, at the position.
Agholor certainly had his moments for the Ravens and had a couple of games over 60 yards receiving. He also caught four touchdowns on the year. But, his production was far too inconsistent to warrant bringing him back. On the season, Agholor caught 35 passes for 381 yards and four scores. I will say that he posted a career-high 77.8 catch percentage and a career-best success rate of 55.6 percent.
That proves he can be effective, but again, the Ravens need to focus more attention on finding a true no. 1 wide receiver.
I could see Baltimore re-signing one of their impending free agents at the position, but in all likelihood, they will try to get younger and more talented, there. If Agholor was, in fact, brought back, I don't think fans would complain. Like I said, he was serviceable, but he wasn't necessarily a factor game-in and game-out for this offense.