OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh is hoping to retain several key free agents.

That includes wide receiver Torrey Smith and running back Justin Forsett.

Smith prefers to sign a new contract before free agency starts. Smith caught just 49 passes for a career-low 767 yards while catching a career-high 11 touchdowns this season.

“I love Torrey,” Harbaugh said. “He’s been a huge part of what we’ve done since he got here — great part of the community, all those things, made a ton of plays for us.

“I think I speak for everybody when I say we like Torrey a lot. We’d like to have him back. So, we’ll just have to see how it plays out.”

Forsett rushed for a career-high 1,266 yards and eight touchdowns as the replacement for Ray Rice.

“I would like Justin Forsett back,” Harbaugh said. “I don’t think I’m speaking out of hand here. That doesn’t mean we’re not going to try to bring more backs in here, either.

“Justin will compete just like he always has. I would never count him out for a lead-back type role, not for one second. He proved that.”

Meanwhile, defensive tackle Haloti Ngata has one year remaining on his five-year, $61 million contract. He also has a hefty $16 million salary-cap figure and an $8.5 million salary for next season.

“I think everybody knows the answer to that,” Harbaugh said when asked if the team hopes to hammer out a deal with Ngata. “I don’t really want to get into too many specific situations right now until we come back with a plan, but we all know the answer to that question.”

NOTES: The Ravens accepted the NFL’s request that it coach one of the two Pro Bowl squads. The Dallas Cowboys’ coaches and the Ravens’ staff will coach the Pro Bowl teams Jan. 25 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Arizona. OLB Elvis Dumervil, rookie LB C.J. Mosley and RG Marshal Yanda will represent the Ravens, who also have five first alternates. … CB Rashaan Melvin will undergo a surgical procedure to repair damage to his shoulder.