Baltimore Ravens should let Justin Forsett walk

By Freddie Boston | Feb 22, 2015

Justin Forsett was a star in the Baltimore Ravens’ offense in 2014, rushing for 1,266 yards from 235 carries and scoring eight touchdowns. However, he is set to become a free agent and the Ravens will be best off letting him walk.

Nov 9, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Justin Forsett (29) celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the third quarter against the Tennessee Titans at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

The Ravens currently sit around $5.7 million under the 2015 salary cap, per Over The Cap; they have a lot of key decisions to make in order to save money.

Defensive tackle Haloti Ngata is set to account for a team-high $16 million on next year’s cap, and a decision is yet to be made on his future. According to the official Baltimore Ravens website, cutting him would create $8.5 million in cap space. They may also attempt to sign Ngata to a long-term deal, which could significantly reduce his 2015 cap hit.

Cornerback Lardarius Webb, guard Marshal Yanda and wide receiver Jacoby Jones can all create cap space should they be cut.

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Even if the Ravens are able to free up around $20 million in cap space, Justin Forsett will command top dollar, and rightfully so. After signing a modest one-year, $730,000 deal and only accounting for $570,000 on the 2014 cap, Forsett played a career-best season, surpassing 1,000 yards for the first time.

It’s fair to say that he will be earning more than that in 2015, but it remains to be seen where he will be getting paid. Per ESPN’s Vaughn McClure, the Atlanta Falcons have strong interest in signing Forsett.

The Falcons will have approximately $25.93 million in cap space available, so they will have room to maneuver in the market.

Forsett’s 30th birthday falls early in the 2015 season, so offering him a lucrative long-term deal would be a risky move for the Ravens. He won’t have the same ‘wear and tear’ that comes with running backs at his age due to the fact he’s only had 582 carries in his entire NFL career.

With interest likely to swarm in from a number of teams around the NFL, the Ravens will have to pay up or let him walk. With a number of other pressing issues regarding their own free agents, the Ravens may simply not be in a position to pay Forsett.

Options

Jan 1, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Melvin Gordon (25) runs the ball against the Auburn Tigers during the first half in the 2015 Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

Thankfully for Baltimore, they are presented with a number of options in this year’s draft due to a deep pool of talented running backs.

With the 26th-overall selection, the Ravens will be spoilt for choice should they wish to address the running back position with their first.

Georgia’s Todd Gurley and Wisconsin’s Melvin Gordon are two standout names in an impressive class.

Gurley, standing at 6’1″ and weighing 222 pounds, adds a rare combination of speed and power to the backfield. He is tough to bring down and is excellent after initial contact, not too dissimilar from Seahawks’ star Marshawn Lynch.

Of similar build, at 6’1″ and 215 pounds is Melvin Gordon. Gordon is dangerous when he reaches full speed and he is able to run over tackles. He excels in the open field, but will need to continue developing his pass-catching ability to become a three-down back in the NFL.

A running back with pass-catching abilities could appeal to the Ravens, as this is a strength of Forsett’s. An option would be Miami’s Duke Johnson. Johnson is an explosive back and has great speed. At 5’9″ and 207 pounds, he is of similar build to Forsett.

Johnson rushed for 1,652 yards and ten touchdowns in 2014 and caught 38 passes for 421 yards and three scores.

His pass-catching ability will help him become a three-down player for the Ravens, as long as he develops his protection skills. He could play a similar role to that of Forsett in 2015.

For the Ravens, allowing Justin Forsett to walk would be a bold decision after such an impressive debut year in Baltimore. Football is a game of replacement, however, and the Ravens may be wise to avoid breaking the bank and swapping an aging star for a hot young prospect.

Next: How can the Ravens overtake the Patriots in 2015?

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