Ranking AFC teams after 2023 NFL free agency first wave: Aaron Rodgers’ ‘intention’ propels Jets up to third – Jordan Dajani
Key addition: N/A
The Ravens are another team that hasn’t done too much in free agency, which is fine. They’ve re-signed a few players such as running back Justice Hill and cornerback Trayvon Mullen. The headline of course is Lamar Jackson, who received the non-exclusive franchise tag. Originally, I was concerned about whether this was the right call, but there was not as much initial interest in the 2019 NFL MVP as I thought there would be. There has to be one or two teams that approach Jackson to talk this offseason, but either way, this placement of the tag did nothing to help Baltimore’s relationship with its quarterback. Also, it doesn’t look good that the Ravens were reportedly looking into Baker Mayfield and Jacoby Brissett in free agency.
The Ravens are a playoff team with Jackson under center, and I’m fascinated to see how Todd Monken changes the offense. Baltimore needs to go out and get a receiver, but more importantly, find a way to mend fences with Jackson.
Ravens have been quiet in free agent market; possibilities at receiver and cornerback still available – Brian Wacker
Agholor, meanwhile, would certainly be a cheaper option for the Ravens, with the 29-year-old expected to fetch a one-year deal in the $3 million range. He’s coming off an uneven 2022 season in which he was on the field for just 45% of the Patriots’ snaps, catching 31 passes for 362 yards and two touchdowns.
Ya-Sin, however, remains one of the best players at any position still available on the free agent market. The 26-year-old, who spent his first three years with the Indianapolis Colts before being traded to the Las Vegas Raiders last March, rates as the fifth-best shutdown corner in the league, according to the NFL’s Next Gen Stats. His projected annual value is also about $10.8 million, per Spotrac.
Another potential move: Baltimore could re-sign Marcus Peters, whose market value is expected to be around $6.4 million.
With not a lot of top-end free agent cornerbacks available, it’s expected the Ravens will also look to the draft. Maryland’s Deonte Banks, Georgia’s Kelee Ringo and South Carolina’s Cam Smith are among those who could be available when the Ravens draft at No. 22 overall in the first round.
Daniel Jeremiah: Boston College’s Zay Flowers Reminiscent Of This Veteran Wide Receiver – Luke Jackson
Jeremiah also said both fit what he looks for in receivers coming out of college: polished route runners. The three best route runners in the class, according to Jeremiah, are Addison, Flowers and Ohio State’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who missed almost all of the 2022 season due to a hamstring injury.
“Now, they came in all different sizes and speeds, but it was kind of the craftsman and true route runners that translated really well” to the NFL throughout the past decade, Jeremiah said on Glenn Clark Radio March 16. “Some of the height-weight-speed guys that were raw, there’s a pile of busts in that in that group with that skill set who just didn’t have any route polish.”
“For those that haven’t seen him at Boston College, if you’ve seen Tyler Lockett and what he does for the Seahawks, I think Zay Flowers would do the exact same thing,” Jeremiah said. “I think he would be an excellent fit. They’re darn near identical when you look at all their workout numbers and all that stuff, it’s identical.”
“You don’t need Lamar to beat you up 5 yards at a time through the air. He should be able to get explosives through the air just because you can run the ball so well,” Jeremiah said. “… You’ve got to have guys who can go out there and get it. I think speed is a nice complement to what they have on the ground. To me, a possession receiver doesn’t really do anything for me in this offense at this point in time.”
2023 NFL Draft: 10 small-school sleepers – Trevor Sikkema
WR JADAKIS BONDS, HAMPTON
Bonds was the go-to option in Hampton’s passing game this past season. The 6-foot-2 and 200-pound receiver recorded an 80.6 receiving grade thanks to 863 yards on 51 receptions and 10 touchdowns. His 29.0% wide receiver usage mark shows how often this team went to him through the air. Though he’s a little high-waisted, which creates some stiffness when changing directions, he just looked like a better athlete and football player than his competition. Hampton also used him on the left and right side of the field and both inside and out – which enables him to display his versatile skill set.
FB HUNTER LUEPKE, NORTH DAKOTA STATE
We had to get some fullback love in here for the final name on the list. NDSU is a powerhouse FCS program, and it takes the “power” part literally as a smashmouth football team, which includes its use of Luepke. Last season, he played 148 snaps in the backfield and 110 inline as a tight end, where he was solid all-around with a 78.0 pass-blocking grade, a 72.7 run-blocking grade, a 79.1 rushing grade and a 70.7 receiving grade. He even took some snaps at wildcat QB. At 6-foot-1 and 230 pounds, he’s a do-it-all kind of FB/RB/TE hybrid.
Highest-paid NFL players: Tracking most money guaranteed, per year at every position
Tight end
Total guaranteed money:
1. George Kittle, $40 million
Signed: August 2020 (contract ends in 2026)
2. Mark Andrews (BAL), $37.6 million
3. Dallas Goedert (PHI), $34.8 million
Offensive line
Total guaranteed money:
1. Ronnie Stanley, $64.1 million
Signed: October 2020 (contract ends in 2025)
2. Chris Lindstrom (ATL), $62.7 million
3. Ryan Ramczyk (NO), $60.2 million
Cornerback
Total guaranteed money:
1. Denzel Ward, $71.25 million
Signed: April 2022 (contract ends in 2027)
2. Jalen Ramsey (MIA), $71.2 million
3. Marlon Humphrey (BAL), $66.9 million
Off-ball linebacker
Total guaranteed money:
1. Roquan Smith, $60 million
Signed: January 2023 (contract ends 2027)
2. Shaquille Leonard (IND), $52.5 million
3. C.J. Mosley (NYJ), $51 million
Kicker
Total guaranteed money:
1. Justin Tucker, $17.5 million
Signed: August 2022 (contract ends in 2027)
2. Matt Gay (IND), $13 million
2. Chris Boswell (PIT), $12.5 million
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