2016 NFL Free Agency Profile: Marshal Yanda

Oct 12, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA;Baltimore Ravens guard Marshal Yanda (73) against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Baltimore Ravens defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 48-17. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Guards may not make the big bucks like tackles do but they can have just as big an impact on games. Marshal Yanda stands among the very best in the league, which should help his cause in 2016 NFL free agency.

Age: 30
+43.4 overall rating (PFF)
1 sack allowed
4 hits allowed
10 pressures allowed
4 penalties in 1,012 snaps
4x Pro Bowler
Super Bowl champion

The Baltimore Ravens really have a dilemma building on their hands. They have a lot of players set to become free agents in 2016 and by last count may only have just over $21 million in salary cap space. That means there’s a good chance they won’t be able to re-sign everybody. Yanda is perhaps their biggest question mark. Not because he hasn’t earned a new contract but because other starting guard, Kelechi Osemele is a free agent as well.

While he doesn’t have the Pro Bowls to his credit, Osemele is still a quality guard who is coming off his best season (+21.6 rating). The advantage he has over Yanda is being five years younger. Common practice in the NFL is if one has two really good players who need new contracts and it’s not possible to pay both, go with the younger option.

Ozzie Newsome is one of the best GMs in the business and has been for a long time. He may yet find a creative way to keep Marshal Yanda in place without sacrificing Osemele, or the other way around. It won’t be easy as some hard decisions lay ahead in Baltimore.

Likeliest Outcome: Hits the open market

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