05-06-2025
Ravens who are (probably) next in line following Rashod Bateman's extension
You have to give the Baltimore Ravens credit, even if you're a fan of an AFC North rival. It's hard to name teams that draft better. They've rewritten some of the rulebook. The torch was officially passed from the great Ozzie Newsome to Eric DeCosta, and the machine continues churning. The organization remains in competent hands.
The 2021-22 NFL season didn't quite turn out as we had hoped (an 8-9 record), but the dark cloud's silver lining was some new blood in what everyone hoped would be a stellar draft class. Four of the eight prospects taken are still on the roster. Fingers are still crossed for Ben Cleveland and Tylan Wallace. Things seem to be working out for the first two players taken.
Good news came for Rashod Bateman on the fifth day of OTAs. It appears he's going to be sticking around for a while.
Rashod Bateman signs his extension, and several other Ravens may be in line to earn theirs.
Bateman and Odafe Oweh were the 27th and 31st players taken during the 2021 NFL Draft. Baltimore had a fifth-year option on the latter, but Rashod wasn't eligible because he started the 2023 season on the Did Not Report list. That meant he didn't have enough accrued seasons to be eligible.
No worries... Baltimore determined they had seen enough and wanted to lock their young wide receiver down for the foreseeable future. He's been inked to an extension. His new deal covers three years and will pay him $36.75 million. Thanks to a three-year, $15 million extension he signed through the 2026 season on April 24, 2024, he's now eligible for free agency in 2030.
He may have also opened the door for a few of his teammates to ink deals of their own. Here are a few who may be next in line after seeing Rashod earn his payday.
Odafe Oweh, EDGE
The Baltimore Ravens picked up Oweh's fifth-year option. That guarantees him a salary of $13.25 million for the 2025 season. The organization likes him, and this decision buys them a little time to work out a long-term deal. There isn't a rush now, but a new deal may come at some point.
Isaiah Likely and/or Charlie Kolar, tight ends
Mark Andrews needed some help at the tight end position, so the Ravens drafted Charlie Kolar and Isaiah Likely during the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. They did so with picks 128 and 139, respectively. Time has flown by, and now both enter the final years of their rookie contracts.
This is also a contract season for Andrews. It's doubtful that the Ravens will shell out big money for three tight ends. Perhaps they'll stick with the younger guys. Likely is the better receiver. Kolar is the better blocker. We'll see what happens.
Travis Jones, interior defensive lineman
Another member of the Ravens' 2022 draft class, Travis, a third-rounder, was the 76th player taken. That decision has also worked out well. More responsibility was added to his plate last season. He started 15 of the 17 regular-season games, both postseason games, and played respectably.
The six-foot-four, 338-pounder has performed well as a stop-gap in the Ravens' defensive front. He turns 26 in October and still has some good football ahead of him.
Tyler Linderbaum, center
Are you noticing a theme here? You were warned that the Ravens draft well. How good has the 2022 class been? Tyler Linderbaum is the valedictorian and yet another example of how well Baltimore has stocked its roster with exceptional talent.
After his first three seasons, Linderbaum already has two Pro Bowl nods on his resume. More are coming, and it wouldn't be right if those nominations weren't earned in Baltimore. It's time to lock this young man up.
Patrick Ricard, fullback
Baltimore is one of the few NFL teams still housing a fullback, and boy, do they have a great one. A Second-Team All-Pro in 2023 and a First-Team All-Pro in 2024, Patrick Ricard has been named to five Pro Bowl rosters. He's a Raven through and through, and most would love to see his tenure continue.
Worth mentioning: Ar'Darius Washington
The Ravens have a talented group of safeties, don't they? Kyle Hamilton is one of the best in the business. Malaki Starks is the 2025 first-round draftee. What does that mean for Ar'Darius Washington in the coming season?
Baltimore shouldn't (and won't) break the bank for the third safety on the depth chart, but after seeing him perform well with new responsibility, a team-friendly deal might be the ammunition needed to start a conversation.
Don't be shocked if Washington returns in 2026. Don't be shocked if he doesn't.
