The Ravens will sign Willie Snead to a one-year, $6MM extension, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The sum of the pact is fully-guaranteed, so it represents a solid payday for the wide receiver.
The 2014 undrafted free agent out of Ball State bounced between the Browns and Panthers before landing with the Saints. The wideout turned into one of Drew Brees‘ top targets, compiling 141 receptions, 1,879 yards, and seven touchdowns between the 2016 and 2017 seasons. However, he fell off a bit during his final season in New Orleans, and the Ravens landed Snead as a restricted free agent in 2018.
The 27-year-old was dependable during his first year in Baltimore, hauling in 62 receptions for 651 yards. In seven games this season, Snead has 15 catches for 223 yards and two touchdowns.
Snead was set to his unrestricted free agency this summer. The wideout would have joined a relatively deep free agent pool that includes the likes of Amari Cooper, A.J. Green, Emmanuel Sanders, Robby Anderson, and Nelson Agholor. As Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic tweets, this transaction could also clear up some cap space for a trade addition.
Is my math off, but 2 catches a game for around 30 yards equals $6m?
Fully guaranteed, too. Phenomenal work by his agent.
Maybe not in fantasy, but in real life football, WRs are asked to do more than just make receptions. $6M is a reflection of how he is valued as an overall football player for the Ravens, who are predominantly a running team, and Snead is a fantastic blocker as a WR.
If you look at his stats from last year, or even more, from his years on the Saints, you can see where when asked to do more in the passing game than what he he has this year, he can.
His extension also frees up space for the Ravens to pursue a pass rusher or other player via trade, before the deadline. Again, additional value to the team beyond receptions.
To go along with this, his cap hit will be 40th (WR2 money) and will likely go lower once others are (re)signed.
i would have cut him today!