Baltimore Ravens: Who Needs a Contract Extension More?
Baltimore Ravens’ guard Marshal Yanda (73) enters the last year of his contract. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
The Baltimore Ravens have not reported any holdouts for their organized team activities or OTAs, which often occurs at this point in the year. The team has several key players who are on the last year of their contract.
The two biggest names that stand out are Marshal Yanda and Justin Tucker. They are key parts to the offense in their own way.
Next March, they will be free agents if the Ravens do not give them contract extensions. Other players are in need of new contracts, though not all of them are priorities.
Marshal Yanda: He is a staple in the offensive line, which gave way to Justin Forsett’s impressive season at running back. The 30-year-old guard is arguably the most durable player in Baltimore.
He constantly plays through injuries without losing any skill on the field. He adds eight years of experience to the offensive line, which is something that cannot be overlooked. He has not shown any sign of tiring, so the Ravens should look to extend his deal this offseason.
More from Baltimore Ravens
- Baltimore Ravens: Will this be Breshad Perriman’s last game as a Raven?
- Baltimore Ravens: Why RG3 Will Not Make the Ravens’ 53-Man Roster
- Baltimore Ravens have to make a decision on resting key offensive players
- Baltimore Ravens Cornerback Situation With Jimmy Smith Likely Suspended
- Top 5 Baltimore Ravens to Get on Your Fantasy Football Team
Justin Tucker: With the change in the extra point rule, an accurate kicker is more important than ever. According to ProFootballReference.com, Tucker is the most accurate kicker in NFL history, who barely beats out Dallas Cowboy’s kicker Dan Bailey.
With 97 field goals made out of 108 in his career, the team can use the almost guarantee when it comes to three points in a game. He is perfect from inside 37 yards, which makes him a very important and consistent piece to the offense.
With the need of accurate kickers now, the front office needs to give him a new deal before he becomes a free agent. I doubt he will remain a free agent for long next year if his contract runs out in Baltimore.
Kelechi Osemele: After the first two receive extensions, the next up has to be Yanda’s teammate on the offensive line. The four-year player out of Iowa State played nearly every game in 2014 and proved to be an important piece in the run game.
He has made less than a million dollars per year on his first contract. He has never experienced free agency, which could be a deciding factor if the Ravens let his contract run out before discussing a new deal. He has played well enough to earn more money, and without his long connection to Baltimore, he could very easily leave in free agency.
Osemele could very easily leave in free agency.
Therefore, if Yanda cannot be given an extension this offseason, Osemele needs to be a priority. With eight years in the purple and black, he might have more incentive to work out a deal next offseason rather than just running off to another team in free agency.
More Ravens are in need of contract extensions, but they are not priorities and could wait until next offseason. Some of those names include Marlon Brown, Sam Koch, Courtney Upshaw and Asa Jackson.