Ravens’ $98 Million 1st-Round Pick Named Potential 2024 Cut Candidate’

Ravens’ $98 Million 1st-Round Pick Named Potential 2024 Cut Candidate

Following the Baltimore Ravens’ dismal season-ending loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship game,

general manager Eric DeCosta will be charged with bolstering a championship core.

However, DeCosta will be constrained by the team’s present cap predicament unless he makes some difficult personnel changes.

Glenn Erby, a columnist for USA Today’s Ravens Wire, recommended one of the moves,

stating that the Ravens “Post June 1 Cut Marlon Humphrey.”

The CB will be only 28 years old for the following season, so removing him could be a dramatic move.

According to Erby, removing Humphrey after June 1 would save the Ravens $11.75 million in cap space while only incurring a dead cap charge of $11.12 million.

According to OverTheCap, the savings would raise the Ravens’ already available cap space of $7.3 million.

“Humphrey signed a 5-year contract extension with the Ravens in 2020 worth $97.5 million in new money with $40.3 million in full guarantees at signing,” Erby noted in an email.

According to Spotrac, the veteran cornerback presently carries the team’s third-highest cap hit. Erby went on to say,

“The Ravens converted $9.42 million of salary to a bonus in 2023, creating $7.536 million in cap room.”

DeCosta might approach Humphrey again about adjusting his contract, but this may just be kicking the can down the road.

However, the freedom this would give the Ravens during free agency cannot be overlooked.

Marlon Humphrey Coming Off Difficult Season.

Humphrey was selected in the first round by the Ravens in the 2017 draft and has been an excellent member of their defensive teams.

In his seven-year career, the cornerback has earned All-Pro First Team honors and three Pro Bowl appearances.

However, this season was markedly different for the corner. Humphrey achieved career lows in a number of statistical categories this season.

Humphrey only played in 10 regular-season games due to chronic injuries,

and he missed the Divisional Round battle against the Houston Texans.

Erby said, “[Humphrey] missed a career-high eight games this season with foot, hamstring and calf injuries.”

“He had 26 tackles, five passes defensed, and one interception,” Erby explained.

Despite Humphrey’s absence for a prolonged length of time,

the Ravens had the top-ranked defense in terms of points allowed (Pro Football Reference).

Much of this is due to the Ravens having three of the league’s top 55 cornerbacks, according to Pro Football Focus. Ronald Darby (No. 36),

Brandon Stephens (No. 49), and Arthur Maulet (No. 51) stepped up to fill in for the All-Pro Humphrey.

Humphrey had a 65.3 (No. 60) grade in the games he was able to play.

The Ravens might replace Humphrey through the draft.

If the Ravens parted ways with Humphrey, many would be surprised, and Erby says, “It’s unlikely to happen.”

However, ESPN’s Field Yates revealed his mock selection, and the Ravens took an unusual option.

Yates recommended that the Ravens select “Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia” with the 30th choice in the draft.

According to Yates, “The Ravens did a remarkable job defensively last season with an injury-impacted cornerback room,

but counting on repeating that effort would be a challenge.”

“Lassiter is confident in man coverage and welcomes the challenge of sticking on opposing top-flight wideouts,” Yates told reporters.

According to Tankathon’s 2024 CB rankings, Lassiter is the seventh best CB in the class.

Coming from a premier defense like the Bulldogs, he might easily transfer to the Ravens.

According to Yates, “Baltimore has several major free agents on defense this offseason,

so turnover is expected. Lassiter, who intercepted eight passes in 2023, may help.

Get more related news https://sportviewers.com