Ravens Face Major WR Concerns
Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome is widely regarded as one of the best executives in the NFL. He has overseen two Super Bowl titles, a handful of division titles, and since John Harbaugh was hired and Joe Flacco was drafted in 2008, Baltimore has made the playoffs six times, advanced to the AFC Championship on three occasions, and captured one Lombardi Trophy.
But even the best general managers have their Achilles’ heel, and Newsome’s biggest weakness is his ability to draft a capable wide receiver. Torrey Smith was easily the best receiver Newsome has drafted, and although Smith certainly was a key contributor to the Ravens’ recent success, he is far from a No. 1 target. Baltimore’s willingness to let Smith walk in free agency this year speaks volumes about the team’s faith in him–though the Ravens’ tight salary cap situation was also a major factor in that decision–and very few of the receivers the team has drafted have gone on to become impact players.
As a result, the Ravens have increasingly turned to veterans like Derrick Mason, Anquan Boldin, and Steve Smith, Sr. to fill the void. Given the quality performances of those players, many believed that the Ravens would pursue another veteran this offseason. But the team probably could not have afforded first-tier options like Jeremy Maclin and Randall Cobb, and it has shown little to no interest in the next tier of free agents, which includes players like Michael Crabtree and Hakeem Nicks (though the Ravens reportedly were interested in Mike Wallace if the Dolphins had released him).
Baltimore therefore looks prepared to head into the draft with a capable but aged Steve Smith and a host of talented but largely unproven players like Michael Campanaro, Kamar Aiken, and Marlon Brown. All of those players, Smith included, are possession receivers and do not really have the ability to stretch a defense like Torrey Smith, or even Jacoby Jones, did.
But as Mike Preston of The Baltimore Sun points out, there will most likely be big-play talent on the board when the Ravens are on the clock with their No. 26 overall selection. Indeed, players like Jaelen Strong, Devin Smith, and Dorial Green-Beckham may all be on the board. The problem is that Newsome’s track record as it pertains to wide receivers works against him, and his strict adherence to the best player available approach suggests the team may not even take a wideout in the first several rounds. The front office, in addition to hyping the players already on the roster, has noted that this year’s class is a deep one, with a lot of talent available throughout the draft.
Those words may not be reassuring to Ravens fans, who vividly remember the team trading Boldin after winning the Super Bowl in 2012 and going into 2013 with Torrey Smith and a lot of question marks. In addition to poor offensive line play, the lack of receiving depth doomed the 2013 campaign and led to the Ravens’ missing the playoffs for the only time in the Harbaugh/Flacco era.
Newsome, who spoke about learning from his past mistakes in terms of drafting receiving talent, has assuredly learned from his 2013 missteps as well. As such, if the Ravens do not land one of the top receivers in this year’s draft, one would think that the team would target one of the remaining free agent options, or perhaps try to trade for someone like Pierre Garcon. But until that happens, the Ravens’ lack of proven receiving talent–the team also has major question marks at tight end, given that Crockett Gillmore is currently at the top of the depth chart–represents one of the few glaring holes on an otherwise talented roster. And Newsome will have to buck past trends in order to fill that hole.
More Mailbags: Draft, G. Johnson, Pagano
There are an increasing number of mailbags as we get closer to the draft, so let’s round up a few more:
- ESPN’s Jeff Dickerson looks at two top defensive line prospects the Bears could target in the first round of the draft, Shane Ray and Danny Shelton. Dickerson believes that Shelton, who is more of a two-down player, would be a good choice for the Bears if they were to trade back in the draft, but Chicago would be reaching if it took him with the No. 7 overall pick. Although Ray would need to adjust to playing outside linebacker after lining up primarily as a 4-3 defensive end in college, Dickerson believes the Bears would do well to add the elite pass rusher with their first selection.
- A number of publications have mocked Florida State offensive lineman Cameron Erving to the Browns, and Tony Grossi of ESPNCleveland.com–who did the same thing in his own mock draft–says there’s a good reason for that. Erving is the best center in the draft, and he also projects favorably at guard. Grossi writes that Erving is the only offensive lineman the Browns should consider in the first two rounds.
- The Lions also have big needs on the offensive and defensive lines, and Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com writes that it would not be a surprise to see the team address those areas in the early rounds of the draft. In a separate mailbag, Rothestein believes the team should let George Johnson leave for the Buccaneers, who recently signed the defensive lineman to an offer sheet.
- David Newton of ESPN.com believes that Washington’s Shaq Thompson, one of the best athletes in this year’s draft class, would be the ideal player for the Panthers to groom as an outside linebacker behind Thomas Davis. Speaking of Davis, Newton reiterates his belief that Carolina will get an extension done with the 32-year-old before the season begins, which, along with the planned long-term deal for Cam Newton, would require the team to somehow lower Charles Johnson‘s $20MM+ cap number.
- Mike Wells of ESPN.com examines whether or not the Colts will–or should–offer a long-term extension to head coach Chuck Pagano.
AFC East Notes: Albert, Jets, Pats
Branden Albert played in just nine games last year, his first in a Dolphins uniform after signing a five-year, $47MM free-agent contract with the club last March. He tore his ACL in a November matchup against the Lions, but as Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald notes, Albert is already in “two-a-day mode” as he fights to return from his injury.
Beasley writes, “Most days, [Albert] wakes up early and either rehabs with the Dolphins’ medical staff or lifts with personal trainer Manning Sumner at Legacy Fit in Miami.” After that, Albert heads into the boxing ring for intense training sessions with Matt Baiamonte, a Wynwood-based boxing trainer. When Albert suffered the ACL tear, the original prognosis was that he would be sidelined for nine to 12 months. But although he will not join the team for on-field activities this spring, he has not had any complications in his recovery thus far, and he plans to suit up for Miami in Week 1.
Albert believes he was at the top of his game before his injury, and if he can get back to that level, the Dolphins, who have a real shot at being playoff contenders in 2015, will have a much-needed anchor on an offensive line that figures to include young guards Dallas Thomas and Billy Turner.
Let’s take a look at some more notes from the AFC East:
- Confirming what we have heard over the past few days, Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News tweets that Kevin White, Bryce Petty, and Dante Fowler, Jr. will be visiting with the Jets on Monday and Tuesday.
- Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com believes Jets GM Mike Maccagnan has done a nice job of infusing the team with new talent, but he also thinks that Maccagnan has spent too much time shopping in the Older/Injured Players aisle. As Cimini writes, eight of the team’s 16 new players will be at least 30 when the season opens, and six of the sixteen ended 2014 on IR.
- In the same piece, Cimini examines the motivation behind the Jets‘ recent decision to exercise the fifth-year option for Quinton Coples.
- Despite the presence of Tom Brady under center, the Patriots have drafted more quarterbacks–eight–than all but four teams since Bill Belichick took over prior to the 2000 season. Christopher Price of WEEI.com looks at the reasons behind New England’s decision to consistently add signal-callers despite their enviable quarterback situation.
Sunday Roundup: Panthers, Thomas, Levy
Let’s take a look at some notes from around the league on this Sunday afternoon:
- David Newton of ESPN.com passes along a couple of Panthers items. He believes an extension for Cam Newton will get done before the season begins, but both sides will wait until Russell Wilson signs his new deal before really moving forward. The ESPN scribe also expects an extension for Thomas Davis to happen at some point, but there is no real rush to get it done immediately.
- Although the Broncos have to seriously consider taking a quarterback with one of their ten draft picks, Mike Kiszla of The Denver Post does not see any of this year’s crops of signal-callers outside of Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota as a legitimate heir to Peyton Manning.
- Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com writes that Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians plans to give second-year quarterback Logan Thomas “a ton of work” this offseason. Most of Thomas’ reps will come with the second unit, but given that Carson Palmer and Drew Stanton are coming off injury, there should be opportunities with the first team as well.
- Michael C. Wright of ESPN.com believes the Bears will look to the draft for a wide receiver to complement Alshon Jeffery, and they will only turn to the free agent pool if they are unable to adequately address their needs with a rookie or two.
- Now that Ndamukong Suh is gone, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com believes DeAndre Levy might be the player to build around as the cornerstone of the Lions‘ defense.
- If Jimmy Smith were to hit the open market next offseason, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com believes he would be the best cornerback in the free agent class. But Hensley thinks the Ravens will either lock Smith up with a long-term extension or else put the franchise tag on him, as he is too valuable for the team to let go. Byron Maxwell‘s new six-year deal with the Eagles, which includes $25.5MM guaranteed and has an AAV of $10.5MM, would be a good benchmark for a Smith extension.
- David Moore of The Dallas Morning News says it is unlikely that Adrian Peterson will end up with the Cowboys, but given the unpredictability of owner Jerry Jones, it is too soon to dismiss the possibility altogether.
Brian Dixon Arrested
Saints cornerback Brian Dixon was arrested in Miami Beach early this morning for resisting arrest, reports Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. As Florio writes, Dixon is charged only with resisting arrest, so it is unclear why he was being arrested in the first place. Dixon was pulled over while driving a moped.
The Northwest Missouri State product caught on with the Saints as an undrafted free agent last year, seeing action in all 16 games and recording 18 total tackles with one pass defensed and one forced fumble.
Dixon tweeted the following about an hour ago: “It hurts to know that I wasn’t causing no trouble and was fully cooperating.”
Bucs Notes: Carter, QBs, Clemmings
After their splashy acquisitions largely failed to live up to expectations in the past several seasons, the Buccaneers took a different approach to the offseason this year. Rather than swinging for the fences, as they did with players like Anthony Collins and Michael Johnson, Tampa Bay instead focused on solid players who might not have come with a big price tag, but who nonetheless have a familiarity with the Tampa 2 scheme and who can serve as capable building blocks for the team’s roster.
As Roy Cummings of The Tampa Tribune writes, new acquisitions Henry Melton, Chris Conte, Bruce Carter, and Sterling Moore all either played under head coach Lovie Smith in Chicago or are otherwise familiar with the Tampa 2 system. The Bucs hope that Carter in particular can become the driving force behind a rejuvenated defense, as he provides the coverage ability and play-making potential from the inside linebacker position that is often necessary for a Tampa 2 unit to thrive.
Let’s take a look at a few more notes from Tampa Bay:
- Pat Yasinskas of ESPN.com offers a few predictions regarding the 2015 draft. He notes that the Bucs have done “an enormous amount of homework” on Jameis Winston, but they will not take Winston with the first overall pick unless they feel his off-field issues are completely behind him. Yasinskas says Marcus Mariota is still in play, and he would be a nice alternative if the club still has reservations about Winston.
- In the same piece, Yasinskas notes that Tampa Bay almost has to take an offensive lineman or defensive end with its second pick in the draft after it takes a signal-caller with its first overall choice. The needs at those positions are simply too great to ignore, Yasinskas believes. He thinks the Bucs will still sign a free agent offensive lineman and add another in the early rounds of the draft.
- Gil Brandt of NFL.com tweets that Mariota will work out for the Bucs next Tuesday, April 7, one week after Winston’s pro day.
- As Yasinskas pointed out, the Bucs may not draft Winston if they are not convinced his non-football problems are a thing of the past. But Rick Stroud of The Tampa Bay Times writes that Smith is a big believer in giving second chances to players who have had off-field problems, and he would therefore not shy away from Winston. In the past year, the Bucs have strongly considered acquiring Richie Incognito, Greg Hardy, and Adrian Peterson, and when Smith was head coach of the Bears, he drafted Cedric Benson with the fourth overall pick in the 2005 draft and stood by Tank Johnson following Johnson’s legal troubles in 2006.
- Joe Kania of Buccaneers.com tweets that the Bucs are one of the teams with whom Pittsburgh OT T.J. Clemmings has had a private workout.
Erin Henderson To Visit Jets
Free-agent linebacker Erin Henderson will visit the Jets, according to Brian Costello of the New York Post (via Twitter). The 28-year-old Maryland product looked as if he was prepared to establish himself as one of the better linebackers in the league in 2013, when he posted 112 tackles, four sacks, and two interceptions for the Vikings in just 14 games. He also graded out as the 19th-best inside linebacker out of 55 qualifiers in 2013, according to Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required). Henderson struggled in pass coverage but was evaluated as an above-average performer in ever other facet of the game, turning in a particularly strong showing against the run.
However, as our Luke Adams wrote last week, Henderson has been arrested multiple times for DUI-related incidents, and he did not play at all in 2014 after his latest bout of legal issues. But his upside is still intriguing, and he has garnered recent interest from the 49ers and worked out for the Chiefs back in January.
He had a private workout in Arizona last weekend separate from the inaugural veterans combine, and representatives from a number of teams attended those workouts. It seems, then, that Henderson will get another chance to prove himself in the league, the only question is which club will be willing to take that chance. The Jets can now be counted as a potential destination.
East Notes: Ridley, Jets, Garcon
The Patriots under Bill Belichick have frequently utilized a merry-go-round of sorts at the running back position, leading to matchup confusion for opposing defenses and perennial consternation for fantasy owners. But out of all the backs to come and go over the years, Stevan Ridley is one of the more intriguing talents. Ridley had a breakout campaign in 2012, compiling 1,263 yards on 290 attempts (4.4 YPC) and crossing the goal line 12 times. He received fewer opportunities in 2013 but still played well, but in 2014 his season was cut short by a torn ACL and MCL that he sustained in early October.
The 26-year-old free agent therefore enters the free agent market as something of an unknown commodity, albeit one with a great deal of upside. As Christopher Price of WEEI.com writes, Ridley will likely have to accept a one-year deal to reestablish his value, but he could represent a steal for a team looking to plug a hole in its backfield. As we learned several days ago, Ridley is not likely to return to New England, and the Vikings and Cowboys have been rumored as potential fits. He is expected to make his first free agent visits this week, and he could simply be waiting for the Adrian Peterson situation to be resolved before choosing his next home.
Let’s have a look at a few more notes from the league’s east divisions:
- Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com passes along news on Patriots linemen on both sides of the ball. Although he does not hear that there is any long-term concern about Chandler Jones‘ health, the fact that Jones is still walking with the aid of crutches and is on more of a rehab track than a regular offseason workout track is worthy of note. Reiss also says that free agent guard Dan Connolly has not received a ton of interest from other clubs, so he and the Patriots–who were willing to let Connolly establish his value on the open market–are in a holding pattern. Without Connolly, though, New England’s guard depth looks fairly thin.
- Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com believes new Jets head coach Todd Bowles is sending mixed messages with his statements regarding the team’s quarterback situation. While Bowles has said that it’s hard to get a feel for Geno Smith, he added that Smith will get the majority of first-team reps when training camp opens. Cimini believes it should be an open competition between Smith and Ryan Fitzpatrick.
- Rich Tandler of CSNWashington.com takes a look at whether there are players other than Marcus Mariota who would make Washington‘s No. 5 overall pick a hot commodity. Tandler believes Kevin White or one of the draft’s premier edge rushers could garner some interest from other teams looking to trade up.
- On the topic of young wideouts, Tandler believes that if Washington selects Kevin White or Amari Cooper with their No. 5 pick, the team could look to deal Pierre Garcon to a receiver-needy club either during the draft or in training camp.
Steelers Re-Sign James Harrison
3:28pm: Harrison’s two-year deal is worth $2.75MM, and includes a $500K signing bonus, tweets Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
12:45pm: The team has officially announced the deal (via Twitter). Kaboly says the fact that it is a two-year contract does not mean much (Twitter link). He notes that there is surely no guaranteed money beyond the first year of the deal, so the team could easily move on next season with no salary cap repercussions.
11:32am: James Harrison has decided to return to the Steelers, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports, who reports that the two sides have agreed to terms. We learned yesterday that the five-time Pro Bowler and 2008 Defensive Player of the Year was deciding between the Steelers and Titans, and he has apparently chosen to remain in Pittsburgh. Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review tweets that it is a two-year deal.
Harrison played the 2013 season in Cincinnati, but after an underwhelming stint with the Bengals, Harrison decided to call it a career. His retirement lasted for all of 18 days before his old teammates convinced him to rejoin their ranks. The 36-year-old, who entered the league as an undrafted free agent and even spent time on Baltimore’s roster in the early stages of his career, collected 5.5 sacks in 11 games for the Steelers last season.
Harrison has piled up a total of 71.5 sacks during his illustrious career, including a career-high 16 in that terrific 2008 campaign, which culminated in the Steelers’ sixth Super Bowl championship. He has also earned a reputation for being one of the dirtier players in the league, thanks to the number of illegal hits he has delivered over the course of his career. Harrison is no longer the feared pass rusher he once was, but he can still be useful in a limited role in clear passing downs. He will provide depth to a unit that has struggled to get to the quarterback in recent seasons.
Sunday Roundup: Big Ben, Bradford, Borland
As most of the sports world is fixated on the third round of the NCAA tournament, let’s take a look at a few notes from around the NFL:
- Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writes that Ben Roethlisberger‘s new contract will not prevent the Steelers from making necessary signings over the life of the deal.
- Bears head coach John Fox is enthusiastic about the team’s recent signings, but he admits that his club has a lot of needs to address. As Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune writes, Fox prefers to be more active in the second wave of free agency rather than the first wave, when teams frequently overpay for a splash acquisition. Biggs expects the team to add at least one wide receiver, but that addition could come via the draft rather than the dwindling free agent market.
- Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com looks at where the Lions stand vis-a-vis their own free agents two weeks into the free agency period.
- Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com believes Sam Bradford will be the Eagles‘ quarterback in 2015, and possibly beyond.
- The Dolphins lead the league in dead money, according to James Walker of ESPN.com. The team has $23.7MM of this year’s cap allocated to players who will not help them this season.
- Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com looks at a few of the names the Chargers could target in the draft as they look to bolster their pass rush.
- The NFL is hosting the inaugural Veteran Combine today, which is “designated to showcase players who have already left college and many who have already played in the NFL to teams in an effort to be signed as free agents.” Although a number of prominent front office executives, like Steelers GM Kevin Colbert, are skeptical of the Combine’s value, all 32 teams are nonetheless doing their due diligence at the event. Kevin Bowen of Colts.com writes that the Combine has the Colts‘ interest, and Conor Orr of NFL.com tweets that Rick Spielman, Reggie McKenzie, and John Dorsey are among the top executives on hand.
- Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com looks at the true value of all of the contracts signed in the second week of free agency.