Five Ravens who might be cut to free up contract space before the 2025 NFL free agency
The Baltimore Ravens, one of the most storied franchises in the NFL, are known for their strong defense, hard-nosed playing style, and effective team-building strategies. However, as with every NFL team, managing the salary cap is an essential part of staying competitive year after year. With the 2025 NFL free agency period approaching, the Ravens could face some tough decisions regarding which players to keep, and which might be released in order to free up much-needed cap space.
Here, we’ll take a detailed look at five players who could be at risk of being cut or traded before the 2025 free agency period. These potential roster moves would allow the Ravens to manage their cap situation, retool their roster, and make a run at contending for championships in the near future.
1. Marcus Peters – Cornerback
Marcus Peters, a dynamic cornerback with an established track record, has been one of the most prominent members of the Ravens’ secondary since being traded to Baltimore in 2019. However, the 2025 season could signal the end of Peters’ tenure with the Ravens, largely due to his age, performance decline in recent years, and high cap hit.
Contract Situation and Cap Implications
Peters has one of the higher cap hits among the Ravens’ defensive backs. He is entering the final year of his contract in 2025, and his release or trade would save the team significant cap space. Given the emergence of younger, talented cornerbacks on the Ravens’ roster, including Marlon Humphrey and Jalen Armour-Davis, the team might decide to part ways with Peters to make room for a fresh, cheaper option.
Why He Could Be Cut
Despite his natural ability and ball skills, Peters has struggled with injuries over the past few seasons, including a major knee injury that sidelined him for the majority of the 2021 campaign. He has also seen his play dip in terms of consistency, particularly in coverage. At 31 years old by 2025, Peters may not fit into the Ravens’ long-term plans, especially if his production continues to slip.
Releasing Peters would give the Ravens more flexibility in terms of cap space, which they could use to address other needs, particularly on the offensive side of the ball. Furthermore, if the Ravens want to continue developing their younger cornerbacks, cutting Peters would open up more opportunities for them to see the field.
2. Patrick Ricard – Fullback/Tight End
Patrick Ricard has been one of the most unique and versatile players on the Ravens’ roster. As a fullback and defensive lineman-turned-tight end, Ricard has been an integral part of the Ravens’ run-heavy offense. He plays a critical role in blocking schemes, helping pave the way for the Ravens’ elite running game. However, Ricard’s future with the team may be in jeopardy in 2025, given his large contract and the emergence of other players who can fill similar roles.
Contract Situation and Cap Implications
Ricard’s contract, while not crippling, is still hefty for a fullback, particularly one who doesn’t have a major role in the passing game. His $5 million cap hit in 2025 is significant, and it’s possible that the Ravens could decide to cut him to save money, especially if they feel they have other players who can fill his role as a blocker. The team could also consider re-signing him to a more team-friendly deal, but that remains uncertain at this point.
Why He Could Be Cut
Ricard’s offensive role has been slightly diminished over the years, especially as the Ravens have shifted more toward a pass-heavy attack with Lamar Jackson at quarterback. As the Ravens’ offense continues to evolve, the team may decide that they no longer need a traditional fullback on the roster and could instead prioritize a more versatile tight end or H-back who can also contribute in the passing game. Additionally, given Ricard’s age (he will be 30 by 2025) and his specialized role, the Ravens may opt to move on from him in favor of a younger, cheaper alternative.
3. Ronnie Stanley – Left Tackle
Ronnie Stanley has long been regarded as one of the NFL’s top left tackles, and for good reason. His combination of size, athleticism, and technique has made him a fixture on the Ravens’ offensive line since being drafted in 2016. However, Stanley’s career has been marred by injuries in recent years, particularly a significant ankle injury that required surgery and kept him sidelined for most of the 2020 and 2021 seasons.
Contract Situation and Cap Implications
Stanley’s contract is one of the highest among offensive linemen, and his cap hit in 2025 will be substantial. The Ravens may face a difficult decision if Stanley’s injuries continue to hinder his performance. Releasing him could save the Ravens a considerable amount of cap space, which they could use to invest in a younger, healthier player who could potentially fill his role at a fraction of the cost.
Why He Could Be Cut
While Stanley is undoubtedly a talented left tackle when healthy, his recent injury history has made him an unpredictable asset. If Stanley continues to battle injuries and his play begins to decline further, the Ravens might have to make the tough decision to cut ties with him. The team has invested heavily in offensive line depth, and if a player like Stanley isn’t able to live up to his contract, the Ravens might choose to move on and look for a more affordable, durable replacement.
Stanley will be 30 years old in 2025, and if his play isn’t up to par, the Ravens could shift their focus toward protecting Lamar Jackson with a more dependable left tackle. Given the Ravens’ focus on improving their offensive line and surrounding Jackson with the best possible protection, the decision to release Stanley could be a difficult but necessary one for the team.
4. Calais Campbell – Defensive End
Calais Campbell has been one of the most dominant defensive players in the NFL for over a decade, and he’s been an important leader for the Ravens since joining the team in 2020. However, Campbell is nearing the end of his career, and at 39 years old by 2025, he may no longer be able to contribute at the level the Ravens need.
Contract Situation and Cap Implications
Campbell is entering the final year of his contract in 2025, and his cap hit is quite large for a player of his age. While the Ravens could bring Campbell back for one more season, it’s more likely that they would choose to part ways with him in order to free up cap space for younger, more promising players. Releasing Campbell would save the team a significant amount of money and allow them to focus on developing their younger defensive linemen.
Why He Could Be Cut
Campbell’s age is the most obvious factor in his potential release. While he’s still a valuable leader and role player on the Ravens’ defense, his productivity has waned in recent seasons. The Ravens have a deep defensive line rotation, and Campbell’s role is more of a situational player at this point in his career. The Ravens could opt to move forward with younger, more cost-effective options, which would allow them to invest in other areas of the team.
5. Sammy Watkins – Wide Receiver
Sammy Watkins, a former first-round pick, has never quite lived up to the immense expectations that came with his draft status. After bouncing around a few teams, Watkins joined the Ravens in 2021 but has struggled with injuries and consistency. In 2025, Watkins may find himself on the chopping block as the Ravens look to allocate cap space toward upgrading their receiving corps.
Contract Situation and Cap Implications
Watkins’ contract has been a major drain on the Ravens’ cap, and by 2025, he will likely have a cap hit that doesn’t justify his production. The team might decide to move on from Watkins to create room for younger, more dynamic receivers who can contribute to Lamar Jackson’s passing attack. Cutting Watkins would free up valuable cap space, especially if the team is looking to add a top-tier wide receiver in the 2025 draft or free agency.
Why He Could Be Cut
Watkins’ production has been inconsistent during his time with the Ravens, and the team may feel that his best years are behind him. With Jackson’s passing game evolving, the Ravens could look for younger, more explosive options at wide receiver, and cutting Watkins would be an easy decision to make if the team needs to create cap space. Additionally, Watkins’ injury history has made him less reliable, and the Ravens might opt for a fresher, more dependable option moving forward.
