Barring a surprising turn of events, the Baltimore Ravens won't be able to keep free agent Rick Wagner and will need to fill his starting spot at right tackle.
The best two options right now are two former first-round picks: D.J. Fluker, who was cut by the Los Angeles Chargers on Tuesday, and Riley Reiff, who will become a free agent Thursday after spending five years with the Detroit Lions.
Neither Fluker nor Reiff is at the level of Wagner, who is considered the top right tackle in free agency. But they could be better values. Fluker and Reiff might sign a deal that averages $5 million per season, which could be close to $2 million less per year than Wagner.
Fluker, who will turn 26 next week, was the No. 11 overall pick who started at right tackle in his first two seasons before switching to right guard for the past two years. He would be intriguing to the Ravens for several reasons. He previously starred at Alabama (a school that general manager Ozzie Newsome has an affinity for), he won't count against compensatory pick formula because he was cut, and he has a connection with Baltimore offensive line coach Joe D'Alessandris, who coached Fluker for three seasons in San Diego.
But Fluker would be a risky signing. He has given up 20 sacks and committed 35 penalties in four seasons, according to Pro Football Focus. Fluker also allowed seven sacks in each of his two seasons at guard, and he's battled through injuries (including a couple of concussions).
The better candidate would be Reiff, who could cost more than Fluker and would count against a comp pick (which is big if Baltimore loses Wagner, nose tackle Brandon Williams, fullback Kyle Juszczyk and wide receiver Kamar Aiken) because he is an unrestricted free agent.
Reiff, 28, was the No. 23 overall pick of the 2012 draft who started four years at left tackle before moving to the right side in his contract year. He is considered a top-10 right tackle in the NFL who excels at run blocking. The problem is Reiff could market himself as a left tackle in free agency, which would price him out of the Ravens' range.
Another option is Sebastian Vollmer, who was released Friday by the New England Patriots with a failed physical designation (hip issue). Vollmer has started 80 regular-season games and 10 postseason contests over eight seasons for the Patriots. He has been an above-average right tackle when healthy, but his age (32) and durability (27 games missed over past four seasons) are concerns. There was a report earlier this month that Vollmer was contemplating retirement.
The Ravens need to look elsewhere to replace Wagner because they don't have anyone currently on the roster who can fill that spot. Alex Lewis can play right tackle, but Baltimore believes his best position is left guard.
Baltimore was hoping to retain Wagner, a fifth-round pick in 2013 who developed into a three-year starter. Wagner, though, is expected to draw heavy interest in free agency and could become the second-highest paid right tackle. He has been projected to make close to $7 million per season.
One of the reasons why teams will pursue Wagner is because the right tackle market isn't a deep one. Carolina's Mike Remmers is serviceable. Oakland's Menelik Watson has yet to stay healthy for a full season. The New York Giants' Marshall Newhouse and Buffalo's Jordan Mills have both struggled mightily at times.
That's why the Ravens need to get either Reiff or Fluker in free agency or look in the draft to replace Wagner.