With the start of the new league year only a week away, the Ravens gained nearly $12 million on their 2022 salary cap by bidding farewell to two veterans on Wednesday afternoon.
Baltimore announced the release of slot cornerback Tavon Young and the retirement of offensive tackle Alejandro Villanueva, two moves that will save $11.845 million in salary commitment for the coming season. Young was scheduled to make $5.845 million in base salary in the final year of a lucrative $25.8 million extension signed in 2019 that was derailed by multiple injuries. Villanueva was owed $6 million in the second year of a $14-million contract signed shortly after last year’s draft. Their departures leave just over $6.5 million in dead money on this year’s cap.
The Ravens also announced tenders for the following exclusive-rights free agents: quarterback Tyler Huntley, center Trystan Colon, long snapper Nick Moore, safety Geno Stone, inside linebacker Kristian Welch, running back Ty’Son Williams, and defensive tackle Aaron Crawford. Those tenders keep all of those players under contract for 2022 at the league minimum based on their respective time of service in the league.
A 2016 fourth-round pick out of Temple, Young appeared on his way to a prosperous Ravens career after a strong rookie campaign that included 11 starts, 53 tackles, two interceptions, and eight pass breakups. Unfortunately, those proved to be his career highs with Baltimore as knee and neck injuries forced the 5-foot-9, 185-pound Young to miss nearly three full seasons over the next four years. Having appeared in just two games over the previous two seasons combined, the 27-year-old did return to play in all 17 games in 2021, but he was still slowed by some nagging ailments and graded 72nd out of 116 qualified cornerbacks by Pro Football Focus. According to Sports Info Solutions, the Ravens ranked 31st in allowing 9.2 yards per target to slot receivers, which was frequently Young’s coverage assignment last year.
While not unexpected, Young’s departure leaves the Ravens even lighter at cornerback behind former Pro Bowl selections Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Peters, who will both be returning from season-ending injuries. The only other corners currently under contract for 2022 are Kevon Seymour, Robert Jackson, Kevin Toliver, and Iman Marshall with veterans Jimmy Smith and Anthony Averett scheduled to become unrestricted free agents next week. According to The Athletic, the Ravens will not tender restricted free agent Chris Westry, but they still hope to re-sign the 24-year-old at a cheaper rate than the $2.433 million low tender for the upcoming season.
Set to turn 34 in September, Villanueva was likely to be released had he not chosen to retire after seven NFL seasons. The former Army Ranger and Pittsburgh Steeler started all 17 games last year, but 16 were at left tackle after 2019 All-Pro selection Ronnie Stanley had to undergo another season-ending surgery on his left ankle, leaving the offensive line in rough shape for most of the season. Originally signed to play right tackle in place of the traded Orlando Brown, the 6-foot-9, 320-pound Villanueva was a mixed bag at best in the return to his old position with PFF grading him 54th out of 83 qualified offensive tackles and crediting him with surrendering 55 pressures.
Villanueva’s retirement all but guarantees the Ravens will make a substantial addition at offensive tackle this offseason with concerns persisting about Stanley’s health and veteran right tackle Ja’Wuan James having appeared in only three NFL games since the end of the 2018 season and none over the last two campaigns. Receiving a three-year extension in December, the versatile Patrick Mekari remains a viable option to start at right tackle, but the Ravens may need him to move back inside should starting center Bradley Bozeman leave as a free agent. The consensus is third-year lineman Tyre Phillips being better suited to compete for the left guard job after considerable struggles playing right tackle in each of the last two seasons.
Villanueva, a Pro Bowl selection for the Steelers in 2017 and 2018, was officially placed on the reserve-retired list on Wednesday.
