FAs to Consider: WRs and TEs

[Pirate88]

I don't even think Torrey is a #2 WR. He is very one dimensional. He on occasion makes a nice deep catch. Problem with Steve Smith is he is 36 next year and counting on himhim as a top WR is a big gamble. Andre Johnson clearly declined and next year will be slower and older. Campanaro if he puts work in with Flacco this off season like Brady and Edelman do I'm confident can be a great slot that also has deep speed and play making athleticism. Brown is no garuntee to surpass Torrey in production and that would be a real necessity with The other Smith turning 36 and as we seenbwith many players they hit the wall in the NFL unexpected and it really hurts the team.

The ravens FO and coaching will have to be resourceful getting Joe some ammo. That's why I bring up trying to trade for Blackmon or Gordon and reaching out to them. Or sign Colt Lyerla as he will cost nothing As in put them in our winning tradition and attitude type of structure and let our vets like Smith Pitta and Daniels mentor him and coach him up. Gresham is a talented and undervalued player with something to prove to the bungals. Signing him won't be expensive either. Like I said before however Colt is a very rare athlete and football player and his former teammates know he will be better than Gronk and not just best TE but one of the best players period in the NFL. That's if Ravens want to try and sign him. Blackmon I hear is doing better and should be worth considering. The Browns figure to draft a WR and will listen to offers for Gordon. if ravens can get a true #1 WR for a #2 pick or less or Gronk type talent at TE for practically nothing it would be hugehuge. Would give Joe a true #1 target while leaving us with our #1 pick to draft a Corner Safety or edge rusher.Just my opinion but Ravens should at least look into and talk with Colt and the others. We saw the advantage Brady had over Joe having a true #1 on the field that commanded attention and double coverage.Gresham is a great pickup and far more talented and physical than Dickson but maybe not that #1 target.

If Ravens don't want to go that route of Colt or Blackmon Gresham is stI'll a big start and just needs to be coupled with a better end #2 who borders a #1 like Sanu or Hartline if he is cut. If we had drafted Abbrederis late or Allen Hurns we would be set adding Gresham. Lots of scenerios. Reason I bring up troubled players like Gordon Blackmon Lyerla is I know we are near the cap and need some targets for Joe or at least one LEGIT TARGET, but lots of reshuffling on the cap can be made like with Ngata restructuring and they may trade Monroe.I Dont think Mcphee is worth a $25-30 million contract and is replaceable.

Right now only thing we can count on as a concrete possibility is Gresham. However just my opinion another move is needed cuz we cant count on Steve Smith repeating his year and at times he disappeared in games this year and he will be a year older. Brown did not make a stride and Torrey is only a #2-3 at best.

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

I always throw Gresham's name out there because the FO loved him coming out of Oklahoma. It's been 5-6 years since then but he could still be productive. You're right, he's Ed Dickson with better hands but he did have some nagging injuries.

 

yea the injuries scare me especially since if we picked him up it would likely be as the fallback to pitta, but i get this gut feeling that with a qb he can be a good TE.

[Pirate88]

I usually take most of January off from the gym and watch college WR highlights. The 2014 draft was the best ever for WRs and 2015 is even deeper! All these talented WRs hitting the NFL should devalue the elite level #2 WRs who borderline a true #1. Anybody not named Dez or Demaryius or Julio or AJ could be devalued on the open market if teams realize they can get an equal or better WR in the draft. Rashad Greene lacks wow traits but has everything Maclin has. And he probably won't get drafted til Rd 3-4. He is practically a slightly more athletic Abbrederis or more fearless and intelligent Brandon Lloyd. Could lower$$ free agents get or open some teams up to trade WRs needing a fresh start or better QB and winning environment like SanuSanu, Marshall, Hurns, Lee or Abbrederis. Or give a great opportunity for the Ravens to finally draft a legit big time weapon at WR maybe even in Round2.

[BmoreBird22]

The issue is what is the free agent market actually going to be. I'd say theres about a 1% chance Dez leaves Dallas, Andre will be 34 and had his lowest Yards per catch average since 2005, Fitz is also getting older plus both him and Andre are under contract and even if they are cut probably wouldnt take what the Ravens are willing to pay unless they believe in Kubiak and want the chance to win a championship. Julius is likely to get paid above what Ozzie would pay for a TE. That really leaves Maclin, who I am thinking will get a decent contract after that year and Cobb is not exactly the guy the fans have been calling for. He's a great WR but not really that big physical guy that people have wanted. As of right now I dont have a ton of confidence the Ravens go out and sign a wide receiver especially if they resign Torrey

I'm not actually an advocate for Cobb, just saying I don't think it's out of the realm of possibility if the Ravens really wanted it to happen. Personally, I don't think Thomas, Thomas, Maclin, or Bryant will be even on the Ravens radar even as a slight entertainment of exploring all options. I think what the Ravens can best hope for is that Fitz gets cut because that is an Ozzie signing all the way. He's about to be 32 at the start of the season and coming off two less than impressive seasons, due to obviously poor quarterback play because he was playing well when Palmer was active. However, this would be the signing Joe would love. A big, physically gifted receiver with an enormous catch radius and possibly the best hands in the NFL. He'd be a huge signing and due to age, it could be done.

the only way I'd like going for Cobb is if the Ravens drafted Jaelen Strong

[Pirate88]

I like Fitz but at this point I think he needs somebody to be the #1 to create space for him. He really hasn't been elite for last 3-4 seasons. In his prime even he wasn't that fast and struggled separating and made his $$ climbing ladders and making circus catches. Hands are good but nowhere near the same athlete.

At this point a cool pickup we can afford is Gresham. He will seriously breakout in our offense with Joe Cool 2.0 After that all bets are off which direction they will go with WRs.

[FlocksGottaFeed]

Sign Torrey and call it a day.

[ravensnick]

Maclin and Shorts would be the top I'd look at. But Maclin may be too much $$$. 

[ravensnick]

I like Fitz but at this point I think he needs somebody to be the #1 to create space for him. He really hasn't been elite for last 3-4 seasons. In his prime even he wasn't that fast and struggled separating and made his $$ climbing ladders and making circus catches. Hands are good but nowhere near the same athlete.

At this point a cool pickup we can afford is Gresham. He will seriously breakout in our offense with Joe Cool 2.0 After that all bets are off which direction they will go with WRs.

I like the Gresham idea. Kubiak's offense has always been TE oriented. With Eifert, I doubt the Bengals want Gresham and he would be pretty cheap. Only 26 years old. One of the best TEs in college football history. 

[baltimorefan328]

the only way I'd like going for Cobb is if the Ravens drafted Jaelen Strong

Now thats a couple moves I could get behind. Would that be including the resigning of Torrey or do you think in that scenario we would have to let torrey walk?

[juanman7]

I don't think people realize that Ozzie Newsome told Steve Smith to take his time and really think about whether he is physically and mentally prepared to come back for another long 16 game season. And with Torrey Smith set for free agency, I think Ozzie and the front office realize that the team really needs to add some playmakers at receiver and tight end. Even if Steve Smith comes back, there is no guarantee he will be the same guy he was early in this past season. Even if Torrey gets resigned, the inconsistencies and the uncertainty behind Steve Smith will likely be enough to push the front office to make some big moves. I'm not sure adding a guy like Larry Fitzgerald would be the best considering he might be like Steve Smith and have his uncertainties. I remember the end of the season press conference by Ozzie last year, he said he would add some UFA guys if he had to and felt like it would make the team better. This could be the year that some cap space is created and some big guy could be added. And if not, I am sure the draft will address the receiver position fairly early within the first two rounds. Exciting times if you ask me!!

[HomeoftheBRAVENS]

I'm just not really sure I'm willing to trust Davis and would rather sign a younger tight end or a guy who will have less salary cap. Theres some other decent to good receiving tight ends in this years free agency who I think Kubiak could really work with because we already have our blocking tight end. Davis has drop and concentration problems sometimes and yes he had an amazing 2013, but he had a terrible last season in 14 games and his 2012 season is something I think we could definitely get out of someone else. 

 

2012 Davis: 41 catches, 548 yards, 5 TDs

2014 Owen Daniels: 48 catches, 527 yards, 4 TDs

 

So I'm not saying I wouldnt take Davis if it was for very cheap trade, but I think we could draft or sign a solid receiving tight end threat that could give us similar production in a Kubiak style offense. Also I wouldn't sleep on Gilmore, he's not a huge receiving threat but he's got great hands and is a solid secondary receiving target to compliment a good, but not amazing, receiving tight end

 

 

Vernon Davis might have had a season on par with Daniels but his impact on an offense is bigger than stats.Teams still fear him and have to game plan for his skill set in ways that you wouldnt have to with a guy like Daniels.What you did with that comparison would be like looking at Steve Smiths 2014 numbers and comparing them with Megatrons and saying (what's the difference between these two players?).The difference in both cases is one player adds a big play/splash play element and the other doesn't.Davis is still more than capable of taking a slant or a crossing route 60 - 70 yards for a TD.Plus you have to look at the QB play from both of their teams.I predict that if Davis was to come here he would see a major jump in production like Golden Tate did last year.People called Seattle's WR's appetizers while Tate was there but he was capable of a 2014 like season all along.His problem was that he was playing with a running QB who wasn't allowing him to be as productive as he could be and the same thing can be said for Vernon Davis.

[PurpleCity5]

Vernon Davis might have had a season on par with Daniels but his impact on an offense is bigger than stats.Teams still fear him and have to game plan for his skill set in ways that you wouldnt have to with a guy like Daniels.What you did with that comparison would be like looking at Steve Smiths 2014 numbers and comparing them with Megatrons and saying (what's the difference between these two players?).The difference in both cases is one player adds a big play/splash play element and the other doesn't.Davis is still more than capable of taking a slant or a crossing route 60 - 70 yards for a TD.Plus you have to look at the QB play from both of their teams.I predict that if Davis was to come here he would see a major jump in production like Golden Tate did last year.People called Seattle's WR's appetizers while Tate was there but he was capable of a 2014 like season all along.His problem was that he was playing with a running QB who wasn't allowing him to be as productive as he could be and the same thing can be said for Vernon Davis.

I'm not saying that Owen Daniels skill wise isn't Vernon Davis, but Vernon Davis is deadly, I agree, If Davis came to Baltimore he would be a star, I personally think it will be out of the price range though. 

[BmoreBird22]

Now thats a couple moves I could get behind. Would that be including the resigning of Torrey or do you think in that scenario we would have to let torrey walk?

That depends on what Steve wants to do. If Steve came back, Cobb would be the replacement to Torrey and if Steve hung it up, I'd try to get Torrey back

[PurpleCity5]

Josh Gordon could part way with the Browns, if cut, I wouldn't mind seeing him here. Then again, trade is possible for that venue and Cleveland wouldn't do it. They despise the Ravens, even more so than Pittsburgh. If he's a FA, I wouldn't be shocked if Ozzie pursued, he's young and talented. They also suspended Gordon to prevent him from becoming a FA so the rumors of him parting ways with the Browns are false. 

[Tenacious Faulker]

Heere's a name:

 

Eddie Royal.

 

Not the most popular choice, I know, but here is what I see in him:

• He's a Steve Smith-sized homerun receiver
• underutilized and underrated like Justin Forsett
• Still ony 28 y/o - in his prime
• 5'10/185#
• sub-4.4 sec 40 time
• good hands and route running - caught 68.1% of targeted passes, 15th among WRs and 3rd in this FA class with 20 or more catches (Marlon and Kamar are over 70%), and ONLY 2 fumbles lost in career.
• lines up as X, Y, and Z WR.
• Nose for end zone - 15 TD receps in 2 years
• Nearly had 1000 yards his rookie year 
• Won't count against comp picks
• will not be consieded a bank-buster as a free agent
• local kid - Alexandria, VA and Virg Tech
• good KR/PR

Think of him as an up grade over Jacoby Jones.  Jones cost $875k to cut after June 1st.

[GrimCoconut]

Yeah I wouldn't mind Royal at all.

[baltimorefan328]

That depends on what Steve wants to do. If Steve came back, Cobb would be the replacement to Torrey and if Steve hung it up, I'd try to get Torrey back

Well let me just say if Steve smith left and we drafted Strong and signed Cobb and Torrey...that would be a receiving corp that might instill some fear

[Pirate88]

Im going to throw some bargain names out there Rob Housler TE over 6'5 250 lbs with 4.5 speed. Had big games before Carson Palmer got hurt. Has learned from Fitzgerald and would be a real weapon in our offense with Flacco. He had huge games with Palmer whose arm is very weak compared to early in his career and more of a game manager. There is also Kenny Britt who had some explosive games with terrible QBs this season. Then there is Gresham but Housler will be slightly cheaper and could have even more upside.

[BmoreBird22]

Well let me just say if Steve smith left and we drafted Strong and signed Cobb and Torrey...that would be a receiving corp that might instill some fear

I would finally be very happy with the receivers the Ravens had. Torrey, Cobb, Strong, Pitta, Gilmore? I could really get behind that

[PerpetuallyBored74]

Fitz or Andre would be ideal #2 WRs in our WCO.

Better than Torrey, though we'd still need that #1 WR.

And with our cap being as tight as it is, forget finding him in FA, unless you want to gamble on Gordon or Blackmon.

Personally, I hope we finally draft him, just so we can have that #1 guy for at least 5 seasons with Joe.

So sick of watching our post seasons end on WRs not getting it done at key moments.

[BMPunk]

No matter what we do in free agency we need to draft a true #1 of the present and future. In today's NFL wrs come out of college NFL-ready...cheaper, younger, faster.

[Pirate88]

Justin Blackmon is the most talented WR on the planet! He is the guy I would gamble on first then Colt Lyerla. Funny Dez and Blackmon are from the same school. They have similar skills but Blackmon is a smart dude. Yeah he made some bad decisions but he is as crafty/instinctful a route runner as anybody. He would be good with just average ability. That's what separates him from Dez Bryant. I could watch Blackmons games every day. He is the most extraordinary player I ever watched! Even more so than Ray Lewis. At 6'1 he plays like he is 6'4. INCREDIBLE WR!!

He is well worth sending a #3 or even #2 pick to get him. All picks are a gamble to bust and we won't get a justin Blackmon with a #3 or #2 pick. So its a huge reward and small risk. Its not like he does crack its Mary J which I believe is bout to become legal anyways. Even then he has cleaned up and ready to play. The Ravens are not Jacksonville. We have structure and a winning environment and motivation. We have great coaching and team veteran leadership to guide a player like Blackmon. Jimmy Johnson who came close to 4 straight superbowl titles had he not been run out of town once said Elite difference makers are rare. And if you have a chance for a great player you take it because you can't replace him. Its about winning football and great players help you win. Johnson said a troubled smart player can be led straight with good leadership and a strong winning environment and winning spirit motivates players. And a smart troubled player who made bad decisions can be reasoned with when you have structure. And Blackmon and Colt are both smart guys.

[GrimCoconut]

Blackmon is an alcoholic, which is extremely challenging to overcome.

[DomMcRaven]

No matter what we do in free agency we need to draft a true #1 of the present and future. In today's NFL wrs come out of college NFL-ready...cheaper, younger, faster.

YES! Preferably in the first round.....

[Pirate88]

Heere's a name:

 

Eddie Royal.

 

Not the most popular choice, I know, but here is what I see in him:

• He's a Steve Smith-sized homerun receiver
• underutilized and underrated like Justin Forsett
• Still ony 28 y/o - in his prime
• 5'10/185#
• sub-4.4 sec 40 time
• good hands and route running - caught 68.1% of targeted passes, 15th among WRs and 3rd in this FA class with 20 or more catches (Marlon and Kamar are over 70%), and ONLY 2 fumbles lost in career.
• lines up as X, Y, and Z WR.
• Nose for end zone - 15 TD receps in 2 years
• Nearly had 1000 yards his rookie year 
• Won't count against comp picks
• will not be consieded a bank-buster as a free agent
• local kid - Alexandria, VA and Virg Tech
• good KR/PR

Think of him as an up grade over Jacoby Jones.  Jones cost $875k to cut after June 1st.

I Always liked Royal. Great underrated slot. However he and Campanaro have identical skill sets and Royal is almost 30. Campanaro is not the limited slot like Welker and Edelman. He needs to clean up the fine points of route running and timing like Brady and Edelman does. Edelman wouldn't even be NFL caliber if not for working so hard on the details of route running and timing and being in flawless Sync with Brady. That is not Campanaro! He ia faster and a more agile acrobatic playmaker and can make plays on pure ability. He has run 4.38 40s before and can jump and contort to make catches. If Campanaro works hard like Edelman on route detail and timing to go with his talent he is going to be a great slot who can also get deep from the slot and make the bigger plays like Cobb does. Campanaro is closer to Cobb than Edelman!! If he works as hard as Edelman, Campanaro could be as good of a slot in Kubiaks west coast/spread offense as Cobb!!

As for free agent bargains. I like Rob Housler and Gresham and even Davis could end up a bargain. Housler and Gresham we could get really cheap and both would have breakout seasons in our offense catching passes from a good QB for a change. And Davis may cost more but could rival Gronk as the best TE in Kubiaks offense catching from Joe Flacco.

As for WRs Kenny Britt showed some nice route running and big play ability this season even with garbage QBs throwing to him. He would be a bargain and have a career year with the Ravens. He plays fast and attacks the football and lays crushing blocks. He is Boldin with more speed! Other than Britt a bargain WR would have to come from a trade like Justin Blackmon Sanu or offer The packers enough to part with Abbrederis. If the jags don't trade Blackmon and he returns then they could trade Marquise Lee who similar or more talent than Odell Beckham. He just had some injuries and a rookie QB who I think is overrated as a thrower so far in Bortles. However I think they would trade Blackmon first. They wouldn't part with Lee til Blackmon returned. There's always trading up in the draft for White or parker but I would really prefer a young speed rusher in round1 and find an upgrade to Torrey Smith in FA or a trade or Round2 although Round2 isn't as sure to yield an NFL ready weapon unless we traded back up Round2 or late Round1 for Rashad Green or Beckham.

[Tenacious Faulker]

Royal is not just a slot guy - he can line up anywhere.  He's actually closer to Steve smith, just 8 years younger.  The older he gets though the tougher he plays.

 

I really would hate to see Britt or Blackmon here though.  Britt is an injury risk.  Blackmon is a suspension risk.  You can say the same thing about Josh Gordon too - great talent, but I wouldn't touch his butt with a 10' pole unless he came at about $1M/yr.

 

I think that Gilmore and Daniels will be the core of the TEs for 2015.  Gilmore showed us something good his rookie year - lots of potential and he's huge.  Housler is an interesting candidate though if Daniels is not back.  He could still develop into a goto guy.

[Pirate88]

Britt's injuries were contributed by poor QB play. And he would come fairly cheap. He is an elite talent who has matured

I really believe he would have a breakout career year in our offense with Joe. He is far more talented than Torrey Smith and SS at his age

Its exciting the breakout he could have with Joe Throwing to him. He showed some great skill this season with some of the worst QB play in the NFL. Then we just need to find a bargain TE that will breakout in our offense with the benefit of a good QB like Gresham or Rob Housler. They may even consider Davis if they can get him at a good price and he could rival Gronk with Joe throwing to him. With our OLine Britt Davis and Campanaro would make quite an arsenal of weapons that could feature some double TE sets with Davis and Gilmore or even Gresham or Houser with Gilmore.

[Pirate88]

After watching some games Housler is our guy. Has learned from Fitz who is one of best mentors to young guys. Housler attacks the ball and is as fast and elusive as a WR after the catch. He is 6'5 1/2 and 255 lbs. He has become a decent blocker after bulking up. He is almost as big as Gronk but a little faster and FAR MORE ELUSIVE AFTER THE CATCH. HE is terribly underrated due to pathetic Qb play and would be a bargain. I wouldn't mind Gresham or Davisceither but Housler is extremely talented and underrated. Owen will be 34. Housler and Gilmore would be lethal in dual TE sets. Draft a receiving back and Housler Campanaro Britt and Crabtree with Gilmore in the 2 TE sets would be a top3 offense with our Online and Joe. The good WRs will be gone by 26

I would rather sign some TE and WR talents and draft some defense. BTW Britt and Crabtree would be bargains as well due to bad qb play. I like their talent better than any WR in the draft outside Cooper White and Parker and maybe Strong but I don't like Strong's RAC or speed so far. He will probably go top 20 anyways.

[stampedehero]

Brian Hartline (6'2, 200 lbs, Age 28, Miami) is a potential cap casualty with a cap figure of about $6M. He was phased out of their offence this year, primarily due to the emergence of Jarvis Landry. Prior to this down year, he produced two 1,000+ yard seasons. He isn't a burner - but is extremely reliable in the intermediate part of the field. This signing also fits the MO of not counting towards comp picks.

Thats good intel  My son is a Dolphins fan and a Ravens fan by default when they are irrelevent.  Hartline is a good prospect.  I have seen his work and I think he would be a great Team player  

[stampedehero]

I Always liked Royal. Great underrated slot. However he and Campanaro have identical skill sets and Royal is almost 30. Campanaro is not the limited slot like Welker and Edelman. He needs to clean up the fine points of route running and timing like Brady and Edelman does. Edelman wouldn't even be NFL caliber if not for working so hard on the details of route running and timing and being in flawless Sync with Brady. That is not Campanaro! He ia faster and a more agile acrobatic playmaker and can make plays on pure ability. He has run 4.38 40s before and can jump and contort to make catches. If Campanaro works hard like Edelman on route detail and timing to go with his talent he is going to be a great slot who can also get deep from the slot and make the bigger plays like Cobb does. Campanaro is closer to Cobb than Edelman!! If he works as hard as Edelman, Campanaro could be as good of a slot in Kubiaks west coast/spread offense as Cobb!!

As for free agent bargains. I like Rob Housler and Gresham and even Davis could end up a bargain. Housler and Gresham we could get really cheap and both would have breakout seasons in our offense catching passes from a good QB for a change. And Davis may cost more but could rival Gronk as the best TE in Kubiaks offense catching from Joe Flacco.

As for WRs Kenny Britt showed some nice route running and big play ability this season even with garbage QBs throwing to him. He would be a bargain and have a career year with the Ravens. He plays fast and attacks the football and lays crushing blocks. He is Boldin with more speed! Other than Britt a bargain WR would have to come from a trade like Justin Blackmon Sanu or offer The packers enough to part with Abbrederis. If the jags don't trade Blackmon and he returns then they could trade Marquise Lee who similar or more talent than Odell Beckham. He just had some injuries and a rookie QB who I think is overrated as a thrower so far in Bortles. However I think they would trade Blackmon first. They wouldn't part with Lee til Blackmon returned. There's always trading up in the draft for White or parker but I would really prefer a young speed rusher in round1 and find an upgrade to Torrey Smith in FA or a trade or Round2 although Round2 isn't as sure to yield an NFL ready weapon unless we traded back up Round2 or late Round1 for Rashad Green or Beckham.

I saw a vid special on Edelmen and his work ethic is star.  He compliments Brady which is the exact reciever we have to interview and test with Joe.  I'm leaning towards Hartline.