3 Mistakes the Baltimore Ravens Can't Afford to Make This Offseason

After a promising 2014 season, the Baltimore Ravens are on the verge of becoming a Super Bowl contender again.

After winning it all in 2012, Baltimore endured a rebuilding 2013 season that saw it go 8-8 and miss the playoffs. The Ravens rebounded to go 10-6 and make the playoffs this past season.

From there, Baltimore whipped the Steelers in Pittsburgh before narrowly losing at New England in the divisional round. 

The Ravens looked like a championship contender in both games, and they could become one in 2015 if they avoid making several potential mistakes this offseason. 

Here's a look at the biggest items Baltimore cannot afford to miss on.

Not Re-Signing Torrey Smith

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The majority of Baltimore's roster is still under contract next year. If the Ravens can avoid losing their key free agents, they will be a Super Bowl contender next season.

Torrey Smith is one guy Baltimore cannot afford to lose as he hits free agency for the first time in his NFL career. 

Smith is a great No. 1 receiver when he's at his best, and keeping him will prove difficult this offseason. In four seasons, he has caught 213 passes for 3,591 yards (16.9 YPC) and a franchise-record 30 touchdowns.

Smith endured an up-and-down 2014 campaign, finishing with 49 catches for 767 yards (15.7 YPC), but he did record a career-high 11 scores.

He stretches the field and opens up the run game while also providing Joe Flacco with the only legitimate deep threat Baltimore has had since Smith was drafted in the second round of the 2011 NFL draft. 

Losing him would be a damaging blow to Baltimore's offense, and it could prevent the team from becoming a title contender in 2015. 

Not Re-Signing Justin Forsett

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When the Ravens signed free-agent running back Justin Forsett in 2014, they did so thinking the career backup would be fighting for a roster spot.

Forsett spent the 2013 NFL season with the Jacksonville Jaguars, and in seven NFL seasons, he had rushed just 347 times for 1,692 yards and eight scores.

However, after he made the final 53-man roster, starter Ray Rice was suspended and cut. That allowed Forsett to surge into the No. 1 NFL running back role.

He went on to finish fifth in rushing yards with 1,266 yards, along with 44 catches for 263 yards. Forsett signed just a one-year contract this past offseason, and after being a journeyman to this point, he is looking for his first big payday.

According to Kevin Patra of NFL.com, Forsett is planning on being back with the Ravens in 2015.  "That is the plan, they gave me my shot, they trusted me and believed in me enough to give me that shot so I'd like to stay," Forsett said. "They expressed that they want me back. I want to be back, so we'll see what happens."

Forsett is a No. 1 running back, and he'll be paid as such this offseason. Baltimore needs to make it's the one rewarding him for his hard work.

Not Getting a New Deal for Haloti Ngata

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While this year's free agents are the main focus for Baltimore, its biggest free agent for either 2015 or 2016 is All-Pro defensive lineman Haloti Ngata. 

What makes him so special is his ability to play defensive tackle, defensive end and nose tackle in Baltimore's 3-4 defense—and play all three spots at a high level.

This past season, Ngata was moved to defensive end and finished the year No. 9 out of 47 qualified defensive ends, via Pro Football Focus. 

Simply put, he is one of the best players, if not the best, on this roster. Losing him would be a crushing loss, and the closer we get to the 2016 offseason, the likelier it becomes this is Ngata's final year in Baltimore. 

He's set to become a free agent in 2016, and his cap hit this year is $16 million, per Spotrac. That number will hinder Baltimore's ability to re-sign free agents like Justin Forsett and Torrey Smith. 

The Ravens should make every attempt to either restructure Ngata's contract and lower his cap hit or sign him to a new deal that lowers his 2016 cap hit while adding years to his contract. 

If Baltimore does this, it will go a long way in helping the team to re-sign its key free agents and contend for the Super Bowl next season.