Ben Powers appears to be one of the early winners in free agency, as the Ravens guard has agreed to a four-year, $52 million deal with the Denver Broncos, according to reports.
The deal cannot become official until March 15, the first day of the new league year, but after the best season of his career, Powers quickly drew interest during the league’s official “tampering window,” when potential free agents can negotiate deals.
Ravens tight end Josh Oliver is also on the move. The tight end parlayed a strong year with the Ravens into a reported three-year, $21 million agreement with the Minnesota Vikings, with more than $10 million guaranteed.
Of course, all eyes are on quarterback Lamar Jackson, who received the nonexclusive franchise tag, meaning he can negotiate with other teams. As a tagged player, the negotiating window for him does not begin until March 15.
Powers, 26, was a fourth-round pick out of Oklahoma in 2019 — the pick notably announced by Ravens superfan Mo Gaba. Powers had started 19 of 49 career games during his first three years, and he entered last season in what was believed to be an open competition for the left guard spot.
But Powers won the job and never let it go, playing every offensive snap in 2022. Pro Football Focus ranked Powers as the No. 2 overall pass blocking guard.
After the season, general manager Eric DeCosta said Powers had “probably improved as much as anybody on our team. He had a phenomenal season.”
DeCosta recognized that Powers had probably played his way out of Baltimore.
“My feeling is Ben is probably going to be sought after in free agency, based on the way he played this year,” DeCosta said.
Powers’ departure leaves a major hole at left guard, with Ben Cleveland the leading internal candidate to replace him.
Oliver, meanwhile, earned a nice payday after his best season as a pro. Oliver, who turns 26 this week, is a former third-round pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars whom the Ravens acquired in a modest trade in 2021, sending a seventh-round pick in return.
Oliver was viewed as a surprise inclusion on the team’s initial 53-man roster already heavy with tight ends, but he validated the decision and became the team’s top blocking tight end.
Former offensive coordinator Greg Roman said that the 6-foot-5, 249-pound Oliver “just flat out won a job” in training camp. “He made us put him on the team,” Roman added, saying Oliver’s blocking in one year had improved as much as any player Roman had seen.
Slotting into the depth chart behind All-Pro Mark Andrews and rookie Isaiah Likely, Oliver finished with 14 catches for 149 yards and two touchdowns, the first of his career. But with Andrews, Likely and Charlie Kolar — a rookie last year whose season was shortened by a preseason injury — all returning, and with an offensive shift likely in place with the departure of Roman, Oliver’s role in Baltimore going forward would have been unclear.
With Powers and Oliver off the board, the Ravens still have 14 unrestricted free agents, including veteran defensive end Calais Campbell, who was released March 13 in a cap-savings move.
Other free agents of note include cornerback Marcus Peters, outside linebacker Justin Houston, cornerback Kyle Fuller, wide receiver Demarcus Robinson and running back Justice Hill.
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