The one thing that could completely change the Baltimore Ravens’ offseason plans is whether guard Marshal Yanda will retire or not. Though interior offensive line is one of the Ravens’ needs this offseason regardless, Yanda’s retirement would make it the most pressing need for a run-heavy offense like Baltimore’s.
Yet with the NFL Combine currently underway, the Ravens still don’t know if Yanda will return or not. According to The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec, general manager Eric DeCosta said he expected to talk to Yanda about his decision in the next month or so, which would put it around the start of free agency.
If Yanda were to retire, Baltimore would have to make a critical decision on how they replace him.
They selected guard Ben Powers in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft and also have Bradley Bozeman, Patrick Mekari and James Hurst as potential replacements already on the roster. Free agency could see a handful of potential stop-gap replacements hit the market as value options thanks to salary-cap cuts or there are few pending free agents that will likely command top dollar as long-term options. Of course, the 2020 NFL Draft will likely see the Ravens grab at least one guard but Yanda’s decision could force them to make that a first- or second-round pick.
In spite of playing his 13th season in the league, Yanda remained one of the best offensive linemen in the NFL last year. He’s built up a legitimate Hall of Fame resume and would go down as one of the best linemen Baltimore has ever had. Yanda earned his eighth Pro Bowl nod last season and was on Pro Football Focus’ list of the top-101 players from the 2019 season.
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