Baltimore Ravens Star Ronnie Stanley Could Become NFL's Highest-Paid Offensive Lineman

Ronnie Stanley was an instrumental part of the Baltimore Ravens' success in 2019, helping them win 14 games, thanks to the efforts of league MVP Lamar Jackson.

Stanley was a major contributor on one of the NFL's best offensve lines of 2019. Jackson was only sacked 23 times, and he recorded 1,206 rushing yards - the most ever by a quarterback in a rookie season.

The Ravens also led the NFL with 3,296 rushing yards in 2019 - the most ever in a single season - and they averaged an impressive 206 yards on the ground per game. Without Stanley's efforts, the Ravens wouldn't have reached those impressive totals.

Add it all up, and Stanley is certainly deserving of a long-term extension. ESPN's Jamison Hensley reports "the expectation is that Stanley will become the NFL's highest-paid lineman." The 2019 Pro Bowler and First-Team All-Pro also emphasize that he wants to get paid what he's worth.

"I felt in my heart of hearts this position is one of the top two, three hardest on the field," Stanley said, per Hensley. "For (Laremy Tunsil) to get respect like that with how much he got paid made me feel very happy for him, because he deserved it."

Last month, the Houston Texans awarded Tunsil a four-year, $66 million extension that made him the highest-paid offensive lineman in the league. The market for top-tier lineman has gone up rapidly over the past year, so Stanley's new deal is coming at the perfect time.

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The 26-year-old didn't give up a single sack last season (per Pro Football Focus), and with franchise legend and eight-time Pro Bowl guard Marshal Yanda now retired, the Ravens will lean more on Stanley in 2019.

The Ravens will eventually have to sign Jackson and Stanley to lucrative long-term deals, but general manager Eric DeCosta has quickly become one of the NFL's best at managing the salary cap. There's no doubt that he'll eventually agree to contracts with both stars.

Despite leading the NFL with a 14-2 record last year, the Ravens were upset by the Tennessee Titans in the AFC Divisional Round. DeCosta added more talent to the roster by acquiring veteran pass rushing star Calais Campbell in a trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Patrick Queen, J.K. Dobbins and Devin Duvernay selections could pay major dividends, too.

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