2018 Ravens Free Agency discussion

[BigPlayReceiver]

Stepping into that time of year that we both love and hate at the same time.

Important dates
Tue, March 6: Prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time, deadline for clubs to designate Franchise or Transition Players
Mon, March 12 - Wed, March 14: Clubs are permitted to contact, and enter into contract negotiations with, the certified agents of players who will become Unrestricted Free Agents
Wed, March 14: All option years and RFA contracts must be settled, and all 2017 player contracts will expire at 4:00 p.m. eastern


Current UFAs:
Mike Wallace
Ryan Mallett
Ryan Jensen
Terrance West

Ben Watson
James Hurst
Mike Campanaro
Steven Johnson

Brandon Boykin
Crockett Gillmore
Brent Urban
Sheldon Price

Luke Bowanko


Note: There's a separate thread to discuss and track league-wide free agency movement.

[BigPlayReceiver]

Looking at our positions of greatest need (at the moment).
The grouping is for ease of reading.


WRs
Jarvis Landry (25) -- Franchise Tagged by MIA
Allen Robinson (24)
Sammy Watkins (24)
Marqise Lee (26)

Paul Richardson (25)
Terrelle Pryor (28)
Mike Wallace (31)
Jordan Matthews (25)

John Brown (27)
Kendall Wright (28)
Albert Wilson (25)
Eric Decker (31)

Donte Moncrief (24)
Danny Amendola (32)
Taylor Gabriel (27)
Bruce Ellington (26)

Brice Butler (28)
Cody Latimer (25)
Jaron Brown (28)
Michael Floyd (28)

Brian Quick (28)
Tavarres King (27)
Michael Campanaro (27)
Deonte Thompson (29)

Dontrelle Inman (29)
Jeff Janis (26)
Ryan Grant (27)
T.J. Jones (25)

Louis Murphy (30)
De’Anthony Thomas (25)
Justin Hunter (26)
Andre Roberts (30)

Kamar Aiken (28)
Brenton Bersin (27)
Arrelious Benn (29)
Brandon Tate (30)

Jeremy Butler (26)
Brittan Golden (29)
Harry Douglas (33)


Tight Ends
Jimmy Graham (31)
Tyler Eifert (27)
Austin Seferian-Jenkins (25)
Trey Burton (26)

Virgil Green (29)
Niles Paul (28)
Luke Willson (28)
Ben Watson (37)

Antonio Gates (37)
Ed Dickson (30)
Troy Niklas (25)
Mychal Rivera (27)

Chris Gragg (27)
Darren Fells (31)
Richard Rodgers (26)
Lee Smith (30)

Anthony Fasano (33)
Jeff Cumberland (30)
Derek Carrier (27)
Brandon Williams (30)

Clay Harbor (30)
Zach Miller (33)
Logan Paulsen (31)


Inside Linebackers
Navorro Bowman (29)
Avery Williamson (26)
Zach Brown (28)
Todd Davis (25)

Preston Brown (25)
Demario Davis (29)
Anthony Hitchens (25)
Jerrell Freeman (31)

Jon Bostic (26)
Paul Posluszny (33)
Mason Foster (29) -- Re-signed 2-year, $4M deal with WAS
Christian Jones (27)

Korey Toomer (29)
Kevin Minter (27)
Karlos Dansby (36)
Brian Cushing (31)

Gerald Hodges (27)
Dannell Ellerbe (32)
Josh Bynes (28)
Corey Nelson (25)

Will Compton (28)
Derrick Johnson (35)
Michael Wilhoite (31)
Steven Johnson (30)

Nick Bellore (28)
Julian Stanford (27)
Tank Carder (29)
Sean Spence (27)

Andrew Gachkar (29)
Kelvin Sheppard (30)
Mark Herzlich (30)
Rey Maualuga (31)

[wickedsolo]

WRs
Jarvis Landry (25) -- Franchise Tagged by MIA - Baltimore is apparently in trade talks with Miami, which indicates they've agreed in principal on a longterm deal with Landry. We'll see how it goes.
Allen Robinson (24) - I like A-Rob a lot. He's got height, speed, and production. Durability is a concern though. He'll be expensive.
Sammy Watkins (24) - I'm not as big on Watkins as a lot of folks are. He's got speed, but he's got durability issues and he's never put it all together. He has the makings of a stud though. My guess is he'll be the most expensive WR on the market.
Marqise Lee (26) - Slot guy with nice wheels and route ability. I dont like his durability issues though.

Paul Richardson (25) - Could be a nice sleeper. Nice routes, he's got speed. I'd be interested in him for sure.
Terrelle Pryor (28) - I was a big proponent of him last year. He's got size and speed. Not sure why he fell out of favor in DC.
Mike Wallace (31) - See previous post.
Jordan Matthews (25) - This is the guy I'd go after. He's a big slot. He seems to be very professional about everything. I also recall there being some interest in him during the draft.

John Brown (27) - Not sure what happened to him. His production fell off a cliff. He is a nice deep threat though.
Kendall Wright (28) - He's another guy I wanted last year. I'd take a flier on him for a low cost deal. He provides depth as a return specialist too.
Albert Wilson (25) - He's going to be in demand. He's a good slot receiver with returner ability. He's pretty durable and he's coming off a solid season.
Eric Decker (31) - Maybe? I dont know. He looked pretty done last year.

Donte Moncrief (24) - He could be another sleeper guy. He's big (6'2" 220lbs) and he's young. I also don't think he'll cost much. If the Ravens pay up for Landry, MOncrief might be another guy to bring in as well.
Danny Amendola (32) - Nah. He's old and has a history of injuries.
Taylor Gabriel (27) - Very interesting right player, right price guy. Tons of speed and quickness. Potential return specialist.
Bruce Ellington (26) - Similar to Taylor Gabriel.

Brice Butler (28) - This is a guy that I have interest in. He's a H/W/S guy, but he's not a bad option as a #2. I also don't think he'll be very expensive.
Cody Latimer (25) - Not interested. He's never developed into much even though he is athletic as hell at 6'2" 215lbs.
Jaron Brown (28) - Possibly, but at best, he's a 3/4 on any team.
Michael Floyd (28) - Nah. Ravens had the opportunity to bring him in previously and didn't.

Brian Quick (28) - Another right player, right price guy. However, I'm not sure he's very good. He's shown flashes.
Tavarres King (27) - Camp body?
Michael Campanaro (27) - See previous post.
Deonte Thompson (29) - Been there, done that.

Dontrelle Inman (29) - Interesting possibility for a right player, right price set up. Like his size (6'3" 210lbs).
Jeff Janis (26) - I thought Janis could be a decent player. He's been on a Packers team with Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, and Davante Adams, so he hasn't had a whole lot of opportunities. When he has, he's shown to at least be able to make some things happen. Can also return kicks/punts.
Ryan Grant (27) - This is a guy that I'd love to target. He's a true route guy with solid hands.
T.J. Jones (25) - I'm unsure about this guy.

Louis Murphy (30) - Nah.
De’Anthony Thomas (25) - Maybe as a return specialist?
Justin Hunter (26) - What a bust. He has all of the athleticism in the world to go along with a 6'4" frame.
Andre Roberts (30) - Nah.

Kamar Aiken (28) - Nah. I doubt he'd come back here anyway. He seemed pretty miffed when we didn't give him a big contract offer.
Brenton Bersin (27) - ST's player only.
Arrelious Benn (29) - Talk about a guy I really thought could turn into a good player. He's been injured damn near every year!
Brandon Tate (30) - Maybe as a ST's return guy.

Jeremy Butler (26) - Best UDFA EVER.
Brittan Golden (29) - Could compete as a return specialist, depth receiver.
Harry Douglas (33) - Nah.


Tight Ends
Jimmy Graham (31) - Yes please. Red zone monster.
Tyler Eifert (27) - Injuries would scare me off, but when he's healthy, he's very good.
Austin Seferian-Jenkins (25) - He's intriguing as a receiving TE. I like that he's only 25 also.
Trey Burton (26) - This is a guy I think could be interesting for the Ravens. He's a WR/TE hybrid.

Virgil Green (29) - Nah.
Niles Paul (28) - Nah.
Luke Willson (28) - Nah.
Ben Watson (37) - See previous post.

Antonio Gates (37) - HOF Player...but he's 37 years old. Let's get younger. Not older.
Ed Dickson (30) - No.
Troy Niklas (25) - I don't see him as any different/better than Nick Boyle or Maxx Williams.
Mychal Rivera (27) - Nah.

Chris Gragg (27) - Not a bad option as a depth TE.
Darren Fells (31) - Nah.
Richard Rodgers (26) - Could be an interesting Right Player/Right Price scenario. He's only 26, but he never caught on in Green Bay.
Lee Smith (30) - Blocking TE.

Anthony Fasano (33) - Blocking TE only.
Jeff Cumberland (30) - Ehh...maybe as depth?
Derek Carrier (27) - I would kick the tires on him. He'll be cheap.
Brandon Williams (30) - Has never done much.

Clay Harbor (30) - Could be a cheap depth TE option.
Zach Miller (33) - Will be lucky if he ever walks normally again, let alone play in the NFL. He's done.
Logan Paulsen (31) - Blocking TE.


Inside Linebackers
Navorro Bowman (29) - Will be expensive and I think Oakland is going to try and keep him.
Avery Williamson (26) - This would be one of the FA ILB's I'd target to start beside Mosley.
Zach Brown (28) - I wanted Brown 2 years ago, but after a good season in Buffalo and another good season in Washington, I think he'll be too expensive.
Todd Davis (25) - I'd be interested in Davis. At worst, he's just as good as Peanut with more size.

Preston Brown (25) - If Avery Williamson isn't available, I'd also be intrigued by Preston Brown. He's more of a thumper than Mosley is, but he wouldn't get pushed around.
Demario Davis (29) - Probably one of the top coverage linebackers in the NFL. This may be one of his last contracts, so he could try to cash in. Ravens may not want to spend for him.
Anthony Hitchens (25) - I like Hitchens. He's a solid linebacker.
Jerrell Freeman (31) - Again, he's a good player, but he's hurt a lot.

Jon Bostic (26) - Ravens were interested in Bostic as well a few years ago. I'm not sure what's up with him, but he can hit.
Paul Posluszny (33) - He's still productive, but at 33...ehh....
Mason Foster (29) -- Re-signed 2-year, $4M deal with WAS
Christian Jones (27) - Another athletic linebacker I'd be interested in.

Korey Toomer (29) - Nah.
Kevin Minter (27) - Right Player, Right Price?
Karlos Dansby (36) - Nah.
Brian Cushing (31) - Nah.

Gerald Hodges (27) - Nah.
Dannell Ellerbe (32) - Nah.
Josh Bynes (28) - Nah.
Corey Nelson (25) - Nah,

Will Compton (28) - Tackling machine, but awful in coverage.
Derrick Johnson (35) - Nah. Too old.
Michael Wilhoite (31) - Nah, too old.
Steven Johnson (30) - See previous post.

Nick Bellore (28) - also doubles as a FB. Nope.
Julian Stanford (27) - Nope.
Tank Carder (29) - ST's only.
Sean Spence (27) - ST'er with some starting ability.

Andrew Gachkar (29)- Nah.
Kelvin Sheppard (30) - I'd be interested in him for depth.
Mark Herzlich (30) - I'd be interested in him for depth.
Rey Maualuga (31) - Didn't he get arrested for assault or something? He won't be a Raven.

[Jamal55]

How would you guys feel about a Josh Byrnes return? I haven’t really followed him since he left but if he can be a decent coverage LB who will be cheap, why not?

[trailhiker85]

How would you guys feel about a Josh Byrnes return? I haven’t really followed him since he left but if he can be a decent coverage LB who will be cheap, why not?

I assume you mean Josh Bynes. I've always liked him (and will forever remember him as the guy who made the last tackle in SB 47) but I'm not sure he's what we need next to Mosely at this point.

[esmd]

I just found this little tidbit. One of the guys does have us signing Jimmy Graham, so we'll see. I'd be okay with it if the money is reasonable.

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/2...-signings-cuts

"Where will tight end Jimmy Graham land in free agency?

Dan Graziano, national NFL writer: Baltimore. The Ravens need all kinds of pass-catchers, including one at tight end. I say they make a play for Graham as they try to put more playmakers around Joe Flacco to see whether he can help them make one more run before it's all over."

Graham and Landry would definitely give us a chance to remake the offense.

[BcRaven]

I assume you mean Josh Bynes. I've always liked him (and will forever remember him as the guy who made the last tackle in SB 47) but I'm not sure he's what we need next to Mosely at this point.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcZRmcuwzSU

Will we Ravens fans ever see another tackle like that where we win another Super Bowl?
Hope so... Bc

[trailhiker85]

Kamar Aiken, Deonte Thompson and Jeremy Butler are all UFA's?

Woo hoo! We can have a "Heroes of the Preseason" reunion. Well, I guess Aiken actually did some regular season stuff.

On a serious note, I'd be OK to re-upping Wallace but NOT overpaying him. At his age, I'm not sure what he can expect on the open market. Then again, maybe a true "reset" might be best at the WR position. I like Paul Richardson if he's not too pricey.

[Culex]

As far as our own players go.. resign Jensen if not too pricey and the rest of those clowns can kick rocks.

I would personally make Trey Burton a priority signing and rebuild our receiving unit through the draft.

[WNCRavensFan]

My opinion of who the Ravens should target hasn't changed much.

Incumbents - Urban is fine I guess if the price is low... but the only guy I really want to resign is Jensen. Maybe Mike Wallace if you twist my arm.

WRs - sign two, stay young and don't overpay. Also draft two, one early and one mid-late.

Donte Moncrief (24)
Allen Robinson (24)
Sammy Watkins (24)
T.J. Jones (25)
Jordan Matthews (25)
Albert Wilson (25)
Bruce Ellington (26)
Marqise Lee (26)
Paul Richardson (26)
John Brown (27)
Taylor Gabriel (27)
Ryan Grant (27)

TE - sign one and draft one. Spend on Jimmy Graham if you can -- otherwise, go young again and don't overspend.

Austin Seferian-Jenkins (25)
Troy Niklas (25)
Trey Burton (26)
Richard Rodgers (26)
Jimmy Graham (31)

ILB: #1 target is Preston Brown. But again, no need to go old and/or expensive.

Preston Brown (25)
Anthony Hitchens (25)
Avery Williamson (25)
Christian Jones (27)

[WNCRavensFan]

Here's the list of guys I do NOT want the Ravens to get.

WR
Jarvis Landry - not after signing the franchise tag.
Cody Latimer - I want them to go young but there's a limit on lack of productivity.
Kendall Wright - this guy's mediocre and there are too many younger mediocre options who could still improve.
Danny Amendola - this guy screams drop-off if he leaves New England. Let him stay their hero.
Anyone else age 30+ - except maybe Mike Wallace since he has in-house experience and can actually catch.

TE
Tyler Eifert - don't need yet another oft-injured tight end especially if he demands a significant contract.
Antonio Gates - superb season for a 37 year old. Just unsure if he can do it again.
Ben Watson - same as Gates. He was perhaps the Ravens best pass catcher last season. Thanks, but bye

ILB
Zach Brown - I suspect this will be one of the biggest overpays this off season.
Brian Cushing - don't even think about it.
John Bostic - just not that good.
Kevin Minter -also just not that good.
Ray Maualuga - nothing to offer for what the Ravens need to compliment CJ Mosley.
Derrick Johnson - is he retiring?
Karlos Dansby - is HE retiring?

[BigPlayReceiver]

Here's the list of guys I do NOT want the Ravens to get.

WR
Jarvis Landry - not after signing the franchise tag.
Cody Latimer - I want them to go young but there's a limit on lack of productivity.
Kendall Wright - this guy's mediocre and there are too many younger mediocre options who could still improve.
Danny Amendola - this guy screams drop-off if he leaves New England. Let him stay their hero.
Anyone else age 30+ - except maybe Mike Wallace since he has in-house experience and can actually catch.

TE
Tyler Eifert - don't need yet another oft-injured tight end especially if he demands a significant contract.
Antonio Gates - superb season for a 37 year old. Just unsure if he can do it again.
Ben Watson - same as Gates. He was perhaps the Ravens best pass catcher last season. Thanks, but bye

ILB
Zach Brown - I suspect this will be one of the biggest overpays this off season.
Brian Cushing - don't even think about it.
John Bostic - just not that good.
Kevin Minter -also just not that good.
Ray Maualuga - nothing to offer for what the Ravens need to compliment CJ Mosley.
Derrick Johnson - is he retiring?
Karlos Dansby - is HE retiring?

Lol...this is pretty solid IMO.