The sting of the Ravens’ turnover-filled divisional round playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills still undoubtedly lingers. The troubling allegations against kicker Justin Tucker have cast a dark cloud over one of the franchise’s most recognizable faces and the organization itself.

From a football standpoint, the operation moves forward concurrently.

There have been assistant coaching changes. Baltimore has signed 11 players to reserve/future contracts. There are scouting and player personnel discussions and decisions. There’s the scouting combine this month, free agency in March and the draft in April.

Among the many tasks for general manager Eric DeCosta and coach John Harbaugh are figuring out which of their free agents they would like to — and can afford to — keep.

In all, Baltimore has 23 free agents of some kind, with nearly 20 of them set to be unrestricted. But with currently just over $5.8 million in salary cap space — a number that will increase after cuts and restructuring contracts — the Ravens likely won’t be big players on the open market and will have to be selective with their free agents as well. They are also slated to have 11 draft picks, further limiting what they can do in the open market.

Though DeCosta made it clear that much of the nucleus of the team will remain intact and thus he doesn’t face “as many tough decisions” as a year ago or after next season, choices of who stays and who goes will have to be made.

With that in mind, here’s an attempt to rank who the Ravens’ top 10 free agents will be:

1. Left tackle Ronnie Stanley

Stanley, who will turn 31 in March, is easily the Ravens’ top free agent and would be one of the top players available on the open market. After an injury-hampered 2023 season that included a significant step back in his performance, he rebounded. The 2016 sixth overall draft pick didn’t miss a game, allowed just two sacks and ranked 12th in pass-rush win rate among tackles, per ESPN analytics.

Translation: He’ll get a healthy raise in 2025.

Last season, Stanley was the 16th-highest-paid left tackle in the NFL, according to Over The Cap, after taking a pay cut and earning $7.5 million. By comparison, the top 10 highest-paid left tackles all earned at least $18 million last season.

And even if Stanley were to fall outside that range, he could be prohibitively expensive. The next highest-paid left tackle above Stanley was the Miami Dolphins’ Terron Armstead, who made more than $12.8 million.

Simply put, Stanley could be let go, particularly with the progress right tackle Roger Rosengarten made his rookie year and with what the team feels is the ability to play either tackle spot.

2. Fullback Patrick Ricard

Ricard is a five-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time All-Pro, including this past season. He has also been an integral and versatile part of the offense, playing fullback, tight end and essentially offensive line.

The good news for Baltimore is that only about half the teams in the league even roster a fullback, so that limits his market value.

The bad news is that he is still a pricey luxury.

Last season, Ricard made $4 million and was the third-highest-paid fullback in the league. He said that he’d like to spend his career in Baltimore and retire a Raven. He’ll also turn 31 in May.

3. Offensive lineman Patrick Mekari

Speaking of versatility, Mekari has played everywhere on the Ravens’ offensive line. That included at left guard this past season, where he became a full-time starter a month into the season and settled in as a mostly solid performer for much of the year, especially as a pass blocker.

While he was less effective as a run blocker, the 27-year-old still helped pave the way for the NFL’s top rushing attack. He also allowed just one sack and played all 17 regular-season games for the second straight year after dealing with a back injury earlier in his career.

After making $4.85 million in 2024, Mekari will be in line for a bump.

4. Linebacker Malik Harrison

Harrison took a small step back in 2024 after a solid 2023, particularly in his pass coverage. Still, he had some standout performances, most notably with his career-high 13 tackles against the Los Angeles Chargers in November.

The 2020 third-round pick also can play inside or outside linebacker and is a core special teamer.

Harrison won’t have a big market, though, and is the kind of low-cost, versatile player the Ravens like. He turns 27 in March.

5. Cornerback Brandon Stephens

In 2023, Stephens moved from safety to starting cornerback and blossomed. Last season, teams were targeting him (and having success).

Coaches lauded the 2021 third-round pick for being sticky but acknowledged that he struggled to locate the ball in coverage — and that was a problem.

Although Stephens, 27, was once considered an extension candidate before the end of his rookie deal, Tre’Davious White was eating into his snaps by the end of the season. DeCosta said that Stephens will have a chance to test the open market. Put another way, it’s uncertain he’ll be back.

6. Cornerback Tre’Davious White

A trade deadline day acquisition that cost basically nothing, White was a solid depth piece and Band-Aid to Stephens’ struggles.

The 30-year-old veteran played just 152 snaps on defense (34%) and had 10 tackles and three pass breakups and could return if the cost is right.

7. Quarterback Josh Johnson

The Ravens won’t be spending any significant money on a backup, so that could mean that Johnson, who will turn 39 in May, could be back.

Importantly, he’s also something of a big brother and a second set of eyes for Lamar Jackson. There isn’t going to be much of a market for him, either.

8. Defensive lineman Brent Urban

A respected veteran who provides dependable depth to the Ravens’ defensive line rotation, Urban has said that he’d like to return for what would be his 11th season.

Coming off a one-year deal in which he made just over $1.34 million, the 33-year-old is the kind of low-cost contributor the Ravens like to have around.

9. Wide receiver Tylan Wallace

Wallace lost his punt return job after a game-winning return in 2023, but on offense, he also filled in nicely and made some clutch catches.

The 2021 fourth-round pick played 275 snaps on offense — which was more than his first three years combined — and finished with 11 catches for 193 yards and a touchdown. The 25-year-old also contributed 268 snaps on special teams.

It would not be surprising to see him return and perhaps even get another crack at punt returns.

10. Offensive lineman Josh Jones

Jones provided veteran depth along the offensive line, usually as a sixth or seventh man. The 27-year-old also contributed some on special teams.

While he was never really in the mix for any of the three openings going into training camp last summer, his return could help given some potential turnover up front this year.

Other unrestricted free agents:

11. Wide receiver Nelson Agholor

12. Linebacker Chris Board

13. Linebacker Kristian Welch

14. Offensive lineman Ben Cleveland

15. Wide receiver/returner Deonte Harty

16. Wide receiver/returner Steven Sims

17. Cornerback Trayvon Mullen

18. Wide receiver Diontae Johnson

19. Safety Marcus Williams

Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1.