Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore is squeezed at $16.0M in current room but faces a projected shortfall of $26.0M next season, ranking 31st in the league, making cap management the most important franchise skill you will need.

18 contracts expiring

Madden Tools Analysis

Four starting spots have weak depth behind the starter.

Baltimore holds five picks this cycle, including three first-rounders, giving this roster a genuine rebuild-or-retool resource that softens the cap squeeze considerably.

• Traded away: Round 6 to 49ers, this draft
• Traded away: Round 7 to Eagles, this draft

The roster's clear strength is a defense headlined by four players rated 88 or higher, while the left defensive edge, ranked 29th in starter quality, is the most urgent weak spot on the entire depth chart.

• LEDGEhigh

  The left defensive edge is a glaring weakness, ranked 29th in starter quality, with Mike Green (76 overall) currently leading the depth chart ahead of Zion Young.

• FSlow

  Free safety starter quality ranks 20th but the depth is solid, and 22-year-old Malaki Starks (78 overall) is the starter with upside to grow into the role.

• 71Broderick Washington JrDTBroderick Washington Jr is a 71 overall backup DT whose release frees $4.0M against $1.9M in dead money, making him an attractive cap casualty in a crowded interior group.Frees $4.0M · $1.9M dead
• 71Andrew VorheesLGAndrew Vorhees is a 71 overall backup guard behind John Simpson on the LG depth chart, and cutting him frees $3.7M against just $20K in dead money for a nearly clean cap gain.Frees $3.7M · $20.0K dead
• 64Nick VannettTENick Vannett is a 64 overall tight end listed third on the FB depth chart and second on the TE depth chart, and his release frees $800K with zero dead money.Frees $800.0K · $0 dead
• 66Danny PinterCDanny Pinter is a 66 overall center sitting third on the depth chart behind Cam Jurgens and Ethan Pocic, and cutting him frees $1.5M against $1.3M in dead money.Frees $1.5M · $1.3M dead
• 64Skylar ThompsonQBSkylar Thompson is a 64 overall third-string quarterback whose release frees $1.1M with zero dead money, leaving Tyler Huntley as the clear backup to Lamar Jackson.Frees $1.1M · $0 dead

The Ravens are a legitimate contender built around Lamar Jackson, whose combination of rushing and passing ability keeps the offense dynamic, complemented by a defense anchored by Kyle Hamilton, Roquan Smith, and Nnamdi Madubuike. The run game benefits enormously from Derrick Henry, though he is firmly in the twilight of his career and a long-term replacement at halfback must be identified within the next season or two. On the edges of the offensive line, Ronnie Stanley provides elite protection at left tackle but is entering the later stage of his career, and the left defensive edge is genuinely thin, ranking 29th in the league at starter quality with Mike Green holding that spot. Zay Flowers at 25 gives the passing game a rising star at receiver, and Nate Wiggins at 23 is the young cornerback with Star development ready to grow into a CB1 role. The critical challenge is the cap, where the team carries $16.0M in current room but faces a projected shortfall of $26.0M heading into next season, meaning smart extensions and disciplined cuts are necessary to keep this contention window open.

The Ravens are technically an NFL expansion franchise born in 1996, though their origin is one of the most contentious relocations in league history. When Cleveland Browns owner Art Modell moved his organization to Baltimore for the 1996 season, the NFL brokered a settlement: the Browns' name, colors, and records stayed in Cleveland (to be revived in 1999), while Modell's players and personnel formed a 'new' Baltimore team officially recognized as an expansion club. Fans chose the name 'Ravens' in a poll of 33,288 voters, honoring Edgar Allan Poe, who lived, worked, and is buried in Baltimore. The franchise's first two draft picks, Jonathan Ogden (No. 4 overall) and Ray Lewis (No. 26) in 1996, both became Hall of Famers. After early growing pains under Ted Marchibroda, the Ravens hired Brian Billick in 1999 and broke through in 2000, when a historically dominant defense, which set a 16-game record for fewest points allowed (165) and pitched four shutouts, carried them to a 34-7 rout of the New York Giants in Super Bowl XXXV, with Ray Lewis named MVP. The 2000s featured Jamal Lewis's 2,066-yard rushing season in 2003. John Harbaugh took over in 2008 and, with quarterback Joe Flacco, reached the playoffs in each of his first five seasons, culminating in a 34-31 win over Jim Harbaugh's San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII (the 'Harbaugh Bowl,' famous for a 34-minute power outage). The drafting of Lamar Jackson in 2018 launched a new era of MVP-level, run-heavy offense and six AFC North titles, but repeated playoff disappointments and a drama-filled 8-9 2025 season ultimately ended Harbaugh's 18-year tenure in January 2026.