Redskins receiver Pierre Garcon would be a quality free agent pickup for the Ravens, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com argues. The Ravens have a history of success with 30-something WRs (Derrick Mason, Anquan Boldin and Steve Smith Sr.) and Garcon could nicely complement the speed of Mike Wallace and Breshad Perriman. Recently, GM Ozzie Newsome talked about his desire to add a receiver with experience and Garcon fits the bill.
“Some of the success that we have had here is going out — whether it is by trade or free agency or cap casualty — and getting a veteran receiver that still has some juice left, that still has the ability to play at a high level,” Newsome said. “When I was talking about getting a complementary receiver, that is what I was referring to. It does not necessarily have to come through the draft, but it can come through other means. We definitely will be pursuing that this year.”
Here’s more out of the AFC North:
- In his latest mailbag, a reader asks Tony Grossi of ESPN.com why Jimmy Garoppolo has seemingly been anointed as the Browns’ best choice at quarterback. In Grossi’s view, Garoppolo is an instant starter and it’s not clear if anyone in his year’s draft fits the bill. With three years as an NFL backup, the Pats signal caller already knows the NFL routine and the speed of the pro game. The Patriots believe that Tom Brady still has lots of football left in him, so they’re willing to trade Garoppolo this offseason. In addition to the Browns, the 49ers and Bears are said to have him on the radar.
- Justin Gilbert was released by the Steelers on Monday and one former teammate says the former No. 8 overall pick hasn’t put in the necessary work to succeed in the NFL. “If you don’t like football, it doesn’t matter how talented you are, your star will burn out quick,” Browns left tackle Joe Thomas tweeted. Former Cleveland teammates Donte Whitner and Karlos Dansby have made similar comments about Gilbert in the past.
- The Steelers and Antonio Brown started extension talks last week. Brown is fresh off his fourth straight 100-catch campaign and could now push to become the NFL’s highest-paid receiver.