It seems that the Baltimore Ravens was waiting for the NFL to release the 2021 salary cap numbers before making many moves. With the NFL announcing that the salary cap for 2021 will be $ 182.5 million, the Ravens have started to make some moves.
According to Ravens team writer Ryan Mink, Baltimore has officially distributed proposals to three players – the running back Gus Edwards (RFA), the Trystan Colon-Castillo center (ERFA) and the linebacker Kristian Welch (ERFA).
Although the Ravens did not announce what proposals were given to each player, ESPN’s Adam Schefter Edwards reported that he received a second round proposal. With the 2021 salary cap finalized, a runoff bid will cost Baltimore $ 3.384 million for one season, according to Over The Cap. As a restricted free agent, Edwards can negotiate with other teams, but they will have to give the Ravens a choice in the second round if Baltimore does not match an offer sheet. Considering the value of running backs in the NFL in this era, Edwards is unlikely to attract much, if any, interest due to the bidding.
Just because Edwards is now imprisoned during the 2021 season under a restricted free agent contest, that doesn’t mean the Ravens finished him off. Given the limited capitalization space this season, signing a long-term contract with Edwards could reduce his capitalization in 2021, freeing up valuable funds to hire other players at the free agency. In his free pre-agency press conference, Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta noted that Edwards would be part of the team “in one way or another”, but seemed to indicate that they would like to close a deal, rather than having to tell with the contest.
As part of a three-headed backfield in Baltimore last season, Edwards did not present crazy statistics alone. Still, Edwards ran the ball 144 times, winning 723 yards and six touchdowns in the process, adding another 129 receiving yards to nine receptions. The 5.0-yard average per Edwards load in 2020 was tied for ninth place across the NFL, or seventh among just running backs.
With less than three seasons accumulated in the NFL and expired contracts, Colon-Castillo and Wech are agents free of exclusive rights. Like ERFAs, Baltimore can offer minimum one-year league contracts and players cannot negotiate with other teams. Both will likely earn $ 780,000 in 2021 before becoming restricted free agents in the next off-season.
Although the center is one of the positions that the Ravens are expected to address in this off-season, Colon-Castillo may also be in the mix, depending on what Baltimore does. Colon-Castillo started two games last season with the Ravens dealing with injuries, an outbreak of COVID-19 and a lackluster game in position.
Welch did not have much playing time in defense, seeing the field for just eight clicks. However, he received a bit of playing time on special teams, seeing 173 (41%) of special team sockets last season.
The Ravens still have a few other ERFAs and RFAs that have not yet been bid on. Punter Johnny Townsend (ERFA), linebacker Chris Board (RFA) and wide receiver Antoine Wesley (ERFA) were not yet among the contestants. Although Baltimore could still do that, the Ravens already have a bettor on Sam Koch and are likely to face the wide receiver in the free agency or the 2021 draft of the NFL. Unfortunately for the Council, his RFA status meant that he was unlikely to receive a proposal due to the higher cost in relation to the salary cap. However, if Baltimore wants to keep you around, they can try to sign you for a contract extension for less.