Analyzing the 5 richest Ravens contracts

Time to do ROI (Return on Investment) analysis on the Ravens’ current five $100,000,000 men

The famous words of rapper Birdman, “That cash, that 100 million dollar money,” now apply to another member of the Baltimore Ravens. This weekend, Justin Madubuike, Baltimore’s franchise-tagged Defensive Tackle, is the lead NFL story, as he just inked a five-year, $98 million deal.

He’s now the highest-paid DT in the NFL.

We’ve analyzed this deal, which is $24,500,000 per season with $75,500,000 guaranteed. Now it’s time to do an ROI (Return on Investment) analysis on the Ravens’ other four $100m (literally in a couple of cases, close enough in the other two) men.

(Salary figures via Spotrac)

Lamar Jackson, 5yrs, $260,000,000 total, $52,000,000 per, $185,000,000 guaranteed

Let’s get fiscal (not physical) by starting with the most expensive player (in terms of average annual salary and total contract amount) in NFL history. He’s only been in the league since 2018 and won two Most Valuable Player awards. In January 2019, then-Ravens QB1 Joe Flacco was given a 6-year, $120.6 million contract with $52 million guaranteed.

It was massive money then, but it seemed “cute” compared to Jackson’s payday. That’s just what MVP/franchise cornerstone QBs cost these days!

Roquan Smith, 5yrs, $100,000,000 total, $20,000,000 per, $60,000,000 guaranteed

Now that he’s away from the Chicago Bears and signed until 2028, we’ll see what this former Georgia Bulldog can do. The Bears are a very beleaguered and utterly inept franchise right now, so we think Smith will hit another gear and reach his full potential in Charm City.

Talk about the current inflation rate- $20 million annually is crazy money for an inside linebacker.

Ronnie Stanley, 5yrs, $98,750,000 total, $19,750,000 per,  $64,166,000 guaranteed

The Notre Dame product was drafted to be a franchise building block, and early on, he looked every bit the part. However, he’s been slowed by injuries and thus has dropped in form in recent years. Now, the Ravens might even be better served by letting him go. We explored that concept here.

Marlon Humphrey, CB, 5yrs, $97,500,000 total, $19,500,000 per, $67,324,566 guaranteed

In today’s NFL, passers, pass rushers, pass blockers, and pass defenders get paid the best (and are also made top priority positions in the draft). The salary scale then drops considerably for everyone else. Over the course of his seven-year career, Humphrey has one first-team All-Pro and three Pro Bowl seasons to credit.

However, a foot injury slowed him down this past season, and his pass break-up numbers have been down the past couple of seasons.

If all these earnings seem absurd to you, don’t hate the player; hate the game. Jackson’s deal was north of a quarter-billion, and his contract indicates how the first ever $1B player deal is not as far off as you might think.

Just embrace it when it happens because, as Jay-Z famously said, “What’s better than one billionaire? Two (Two), especially if they’re from the same hue as you.”

10 takeaways from the Ravens 2023 season

We’re looking at ten takeaways from the Baltimore Ravens 2023 NFL season

The Ravens have concluded their 2023 season, and the focus now shifts to what’s shaping up to be a franchise-altering offseason for general manager Eric DeCosta.

Baltimore is 20th in the NFL in cap space, with $5 million available, and there will be critical decisions regarding several vital contributors and two All-Pros. And they’re spending about $120+ million plus on the offensive side of the football.

With the NFL Combine set to begin, we’re looking at ten takeaways from the Ravens 13-4 regular season.

Breaking down the final 4 teams in the AFC playoff field

We’re breaking down all four AFC playoff teams left in the divisional round as the Ravens, Texans, Chiefs and Bills look to reach Championship Sunday

The divisional round matchups are set and ready to begin.

The Texans will travel to Baltimore to play the Ravens in the AFC, while the Chiefs will head to Buffalo to face the Bills. On the NFC side, the Packers will face the 49ers in San Francisco, and the Lions will host the Buccaneers after Tampa Bay beat Philadelphia on Monday night.

With the week of preparation completed, we can look ahead to the divisional round schedule, including the first postseason games for the Niners and the Ravens, who each had a bye.

We’re breaking down the final four teams in the AFC playoff field to prepare you for the Saturday and Sunday slate.

Ravens’ 10 most important players for the second half of the season

We’re looking at the Baltimore Ravens’ 10 most important players for the final five games of the 2023 regular season

The Ravens are 9-3 and sitting atop the AFC after a 20-10 win over the Chargers at SoFi Stadium in Week 12.

Quarterback Lamar Jackson was 18-32 passing, for 177 yards and one passing touchdown, while also logging 11 carries for 39 yards. Explosive rookie running back Keaton Mitchell led the group with 64 yards on nine carries, while Zay Flowers had two touchdowns and 62 total yards on the night.

The Ravens’ defense was dominant, holding the Chargers to 279 yards of offense on 69 plays.

With Baltimore’s much-needed bye week complete and the team set to return to the Under Armour Performance Center to begin preparation for the Rams, here are the Ravens’ 10 most important players for the season’s final five games.

Three Ravens players land on NFL Network’s Top 100 Players of 2022 list

The Ravens had three of their players make the NFL Network’s Top 100 Players of 2022 list

The Baltimore Ravens went through a rollercoaster over the course over the 2021 season. The team’s continuous ability to play in competitive games throughout the year after losing so many players due to injury showed why they are considered one of the best franchises in the NFL.

The NFL Network released its annual list of the top 100 players of 2022. This year’s version of the list saw three players on the Ravens ranked on the list, all of whom were expected to make an appearance While some believe they were their spots are too low, they made the list and deservingly so after putting up great performances during the 2021 season.

10 prospects Ravens could target in first round of 2022 NFL Draft

We preview ten prospects the Ravens could target in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft

The Baltimore Ravens are slated be on the clock Thursday at No. 14 in the 2022 NFL Draft. While things can change between now and then, the team currently finds itself picking near the middle of the first round, which is a rare thing for Baltimore, as they have usually picked around the 20s over the majority of their history.

There are plenty of talented players available in what is a very deep 2022 draft class pool. With Baltimore having many needs to fill, having a high-up selection in the first round should be able to net them a prospect that will be able to contribute immediately at a position they need production at.

Here, we preview who the Ravens could select with their first pick and if they will need to move up, move back or stay to bring them to Baltimore.

6 top free-agent WRs Ravens should target in free agency

With free agency right around the corner and the Baltimore Ravens needing help at wide receiver, these are the best options available.

One of the milestones of the offseason is the start of free agency. The “legal tampering” period begins on March 15, meaning teams can begin negotiating with free agents ahead of the start of the league year on March 17. The Baltimore Ravens, having more available salary-cap space than most of the league, could be among those signing deals in the first wave of free agency.

One of Baltimore’s top offseason needs is at wide receiver, something the Ravens will need to address either in the 2021 NFL draft or free agency. While Marquise Brown has managed to flash on some big plays over his two seasons in the league, he only recently became a more consistent weapon late last season and into the playoffs. With the team clearly needing to improve their passing attack, finding a top wide receiver to pair with Brown makes quite a bit of sense.

With money tight around the league, it’s expected that free agency will be flush with great options for Baltimore to choose from. Let’s take a look at six free-agent wide receivers that would fit well in the Ravens’ offense.

The best pick from each NFL draft class in Ravens history

We take a look back at each of the Baltimore Ravens’ drafts to find the best selection the team made.

The Baltimore Ravens have long been considered one of the best teams in the league when it comes to scouting, drafting, and developing players. The Ravens have been a part of 25 NFL drafts since being founded in 1996 and have earned their reputation by finding some real gems at a variety of rounds. In that time, Baltimore has drafted 31 players who have been to a Pro Bowl, 14 players who were named to the All-Pro team, and three players currently enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

However, not every pick or even draft year has been outstanding for the Ravens, with some selections having clearly been better than others. But instead of looking at which players were the best overall, we want to break it down year-by-year to find the best player Baltimore grabbed in every draft throughout franchise history.

Let’s kick it off with that inaugural 1996 season . . .