When it comes to navigating free agency and constructing a roster to field a perennially competitive team, the Ravens have a seemingly simple philosophy.

“You guys know the Ravens,” general manager Eric DeCosta said at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis two weeks ago. “Right player, right price.”

It is, of course, much more nuanced than that, but there is a telling construct within the words.

Said DeCosta: “We’re not a team that’s going to make a lot of splashes, generally speaking.”

With around a projected $12 million in salary cap space, per Russell Street Report, as the NFL’s legal tampering period officially opens Monday at noon with contracts able to be executed beginning Wednesday at 4 p.m., Baltimore simply can’t afford to. Still, there are several moves that can be made to clear up more space through extensions, restructures and releases, some likely bargains to be had on the market and the matter of keeping some of their own free agents, of which there are 18 unrestricted.

With needs at several positions — edge rusher, defensive line, cornerback, safety, wide receiver among them — and only so much wiggle room, DeCosta and vice president of football administration Nick Matteo will have to chart their path, as usual, tightly. A $23.8 million increase to bring the league’s salary cap to $279.2 million helps, but that’s true for every team.

Here are six things to keep an eye on with the Ravens as the free agency frenzy begins.

Offensive line again a big focus: If this feels like a perennial need, that’s because it often is.Two offseasons ago, guard Ben Powers bolted for the Denver Broncos in free agency. Last offseason, guards Kevin Zeitler and John Simpson departed similarly and right tackle Morgan Moses was traded.

This year, left tackle Ronnie Stanley was due to hit free agency, but the Ravens signed him to a three-year, $60 million extension on Saturday.

Brining back Stanley was a priority. It also likely spells the end of Mekari’s time in Baltimore because he might be unaffordable.

If Mekari departs, the expectation is Andrew Vorhees, who started at left guard last season before suffering an ankle injury and ultimately losing out to Mekari, would start again. But the Ravens still need help among their reserves, so between free agency and the draft they will bolster that group.

Cornerbacks wanted: Baltimore has Marlon Humphrey, Nate Wiggins, Jalyn Armour-Davis and T.J. Tampa. But with Brandon Stephens, Tre’Davious White, Trayvon Mullen all unrestricted free agents, Christian Matthew a restricted free agent and Arthur Maulet a possible salary cap casualty, the Ravens will also be in the market.

Again, if it seems as if they always are, it’s because the organization’s belief is that it can never have enough cornerbacks.

But don’t expect any big splashes here. Instead, look for Baltimore to potentially bring back White and rely on the draft and the veteran free agent market to fill its needs, particularly at outside corner.

What about edge rusher and/or defensive line?: Beyond Kyle Van Noy, who will turn 34 later this month, and Odafe Oweh, the Ravens are light on edge defenders who have proven they can get to the quarterback.

There are some notable names available, including Khalil Mack, Joey Bosa, Josh Sweat, Haason Reddick, Malcolm Koonce, Dayo Odeyingbo, Chase Young and Harold Landry. But all of them are probably out of the price range.

Look for them to then instead add through the draft and potentially turn to a veteran free agent down the line as they have in the past, though it’s not a deep group at the salary they would likely be looking at.

Help needed at safety: Marcus Williams is expected to be released, Ar’Darius Washington is a restricted free agent and unproven Sanoussi Kane and Beau Brade are the only other safeties on the roster besides Pro Bowl selection Kyle Hamilton.

What happens with Washington will be worth watching (more on that below), but even if he’s back, it would not be surprising to see Baltimore look to free agency to bolster the group. They’d have options.

The Las Vegas Raiders’ Tre’von Moehrig is one player that has been mentioned (which probably means he won’t end up in Baltimore), and he would be a solid addition. Over the past two seasons, he’s had five interceptions and 18 pass breakups to go with three sacks and five quarterback hits. But at a projected four years and $15 million per season, per Pro Football Focus, can Baltimore really afford him given the likely top of market coming Hamilton’s way?

Cheaper veteran and short-term options, meanwhile, could perhaps include Justin Simmons or Andre Cisco.

Other looming decisions: The Ravens would obviously like to bring back Washington, who had easily his best year (64 tackles and two interceptions) in what was his fourth season since signing as an undrafted free agent out of TCU in 2021. But as an undrafted free agent with three accrued seasons, they also have a choice to make.

They could use a second-round tender (worth $5.35 million) or a right of first refusal tender (worth $3.26 million).

Under the first option, if Washington gets an offer from another team and Baltimore decides not to match, it would receive a second-round draft pick. With the second, cheaper option, there is no draft pick compensation if the Ravens decide not to match another team’s offer.

An extension takes all of that off the table and keeps Washington with the Ravens longer.

Baltimore also faces a choice with center Tyler Linderbaum, who, like Hamilton, is entering the final year of his rookie contract.

As a two-time Pro Bowl selection and a 2022 first-round pick, Linderbaum would have a fifth-year option at the cost of $23.4 million.

That’s very close to what the franchise tag would be next offseason if Baltimore simply declined the fifth-year option and tagged him a year from now.

The key part of the latter: The tag, which can be used to extend the negotiating window for an extension, can be pulled, allowing the player to become a free agent. Teams have until May 2 to exercise the fifth-year option.

What Ravens could return?: Despite a large free agent class and a desire to often keep their own players, only a handful or so of this year’s group seems likely to return.

In addition to Stanley, fullback/tight end Patrick Ricard has the potential to be back. Only around half of the teams in the NFL utilize a fullback, while the All-Pro would like to retire as a Raven after he was an integral part of a historic offense last season.

With an average annual value of $3.75 million when he re-signed with Baltimore in 2022, he’s already the third-highest paid fullback in the league with only $800,000 separating him from the top spot occupied by 49ers star and former Raven Kyle Juszccyk.

Meanwhile, linebackers Malik Harrison and Chris Board check all the boxes the Ravens like: relative low cost, versatility (including on special teams) and experience.

Likewise, White provides depth to the cornerback rotation. Tylan Wallace does the same for a thin wide receiver group with the added bonus of being a significant contributor on special teams and well-liked locker room presence.

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