The Baltimore Ravens aren’t in a terrible spot as free agency begins next month.
Most of the team’s best players are under contract for 2025, so the team should mainly be able to focus on making outside additions. However, one key player is set to test free agency and the Ravens may not be able to keep him in town.
Ronnie Stanley had a great season in 2024 after battling injury in recent years. The left tackle earned a 71.0 overall Pro Football Focus grade and allowed just two sacks all season. This performance earned Stanley his second-career Pro Bowl selection.
Stanley’s first Pro Bowl selection came in 2019. After that season, Stanley also earned a first-team All-Pro selection and allowed just six pressures in 14 games.
Mason Cameron of Pro Football Focus identified one ideal free agent each NFL team should sign. For the New England Patriots, Cameron selected Stanley.
Regarding Stanley’s fit in New England, Cameron offered the following:
As PFF’s Zoltan Buday pointed out when identifying the potential landing spots for the top offensive lineman in this free-agency cycle, The Patriots have the cap space ($119 million) to sign any lineman, and the need extends across the entire unit, so there is no reason they shouldn’t pursue the top options. Adding both Smith and Stanley would check that box and give New England’s front-five a facelift overnight.
As Cameron mentioned, the Patriots will have enough money to not only pursue Stanley, the top tackle, but also Trey Smith, the top guard.
Per Over the Cap, the Patriots are projected to have a league-leading $128 million in cap space this offseason. Spotrac projects Stanley to land a two-year deal worth $20.1 million annually.
Stanley likely made himself a substantial amount of money by playing in 17 games for the first time in his career in 2024. The tackle missed the majority of the 2020 and 2021 seasons due to injury and played in 13 games in 2023.
The Patriots allowed 52 sacks in 2024, which was the fifth-most of any team. Protecting Drake Maye has to be a priority going forward after the rookie showed promise in his debut campaign. Adding Stanley would be a great start to improving the unit.
Vederian Lowe was the team’s primary left tackle in 2024. Lowe struggled, earning a 54.0 overall grade and being dinged for 13 penalties and five sacks.
