Will the Ravens Pick Up Ronnie Stanley's Fifth-Year Option?

By Joe Schiller

Lost in translation of the NFL Draft and a busy offseason is an important date.

May 3 is the deadline for teams to exercise the fifth-year option for their 2016 first-round picks. The Baltimore Ravens will have a decision to make regarding offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley.

Stanley, the No. 6 pick in the draft and first tackle off the board, has quietly developed into one of the top young left tackles in football.

Stanley ranked as the 17th best tackle last season, according to Pro Football Focus and helped anchor an offensive line that paved the way for the NFL's second-leading rushing attack.

Lowest percentage of negatively-graded run blocks among NFL offensive tackles @PFFTerron Armstead, SaintsRyan Ramczyk, SaintsAndrew Whitworth, RamsTyron Smith, CowboysRonnie Stanley, Ravens

After starting 12 games his rookie season, Stanley has started at least 15 games over the past two seasons. It's an impressive feat, considering the injuries he's battled through.

The Miami Dolphins recently picked up Laremy Tunsil's fifth-year option and it's a no-brainer that the Ravens would do the same to keep Stanley in Baltimore through the 2020 season.

Aside from 34-year-old Marshal Yanda, Stanley is the most experienced starter on a relatively young offensive line.

General Manager Eric DeCosta declined to speak about picking up Stanley's fifth-year-option back in February.

Eric DeCosta on whether Ravens will pick up 5th-year option on LT Ronnie Stanley: "I don't want to talk about that right now. We have a lot of different options. I think he's playing extremely well. I loved the way he finished the season." Deadline to exercise option is early May

If the deadline passes and the Ravens decline Stanley's fifth-year-option, it's not time to panic. The two sides could work out a long-term deal before Stanley's impending free agency.

There's a lot of time left.