Saints WR Willie Snead Visiting Ravens
Saints restricted free agent wide receiver Willie Snead will visit the Ravens on Wednesday, a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The Saints used the lowest tender on Snead, which grants them the right of first refusal on any offer sheet. However, the Ravens would not have to forfeit any draft compensation in the event of an unmatched offer sheet. 
Snead, 26 in October, wasn’t much of a factor in the Saints’ offense last year and missed the first three games of the season with a suspension. However, he averaged 70 catches for 940 yards and four touchdowns between 2015 and 2016.
The Ravens have upgraded their wide receiver stable by adding Michael Crabtree and John Brown this month. Neither Chris Moore nor Breshad Perriman did a whole lot last season, so the Ravens are looking to provide Joe Flacco with another weapon.
John Brown On Sickle Cell Trait
- New Ravens wide receiver John Brown was diagnosed with the sickle cell trait back in 2016, but he claims that’s not impacting his health. “I’m healthy. I’m feeling good,” said Brown, who signed a one-year, $5MM deal with Baltimore (link via Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com). “Sickle cell was never part of the problem.” Brown set career highs with 65 receptions for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns for Arizona in 2015, but has not reprised that performance in the last two years. Brown will team with fellow free agent addition Michael Crabtree to give Baltimore a new-look wide receiver corps in 2018.
AFC Contract Details: Crabtree, Williamson
Here are figures on some of the recent contracts signed around the NFL, with all links going to Twitter unless noted otherwise.
- Michael Crabtree, WR (Ravens): Three years, $21MM. $11MM guaranteed, $8MM guaranteed in 2018. $7MM signing bonus, $2.5MM performance-based incentives. $2MM roster bonus due in March 2019 (via Pelissero and NFL reporter Howard Balzer).
- Avery Williamson, LB (Jets): Three years, $22.5MM. $16MM fully guaranteed, $6MM signing bonus. Base salaries of $4MM, $6MM, $6.25MM, with the 2018, ’19 amounts being fully guaranteed. Cap charges: $6MM (2018), $8MM (’19), $8.5MM in 2020 (per Balzer and ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini).
- Matt Barkley, QB (Bengals): Two years, $3.35MM (via Ian Rapoport of NFL.com).
- Preston Brown, LB (Bengals): One year, $4MM. $2MM signing bonus, $1MM workout bonus (via Rapoport and Balzer).
- Tyler Eifert, TE (Bengals): One year, $5.5MM (via Rapoport).
- Donte Moncrief, WR (Jaguars): One-year, $9.6MM. Fully guaranteed plus $2MM in incentives (via Adam Schefter of ESPN.com).
- Caleb Sturgis, K (Chargers): Two years, $4.45MM. $1MM signing bonus (via Rapoport and Balzer).
- Johnson Bademosi, CB (Texans): Two years, $6.25MM. $3.25MM guaranteed, $1MM roster bonus. Fully guaranteed $1.25MM base salary in 2018, non-guaranteed $2.25M base in 2019, per Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle).
- Jarvis Jenkins, DL (Chiefs): One year, $880K. $500K guaranteed, $90K signing bonus (per Balzer).
- Travaris Cadet, RB (Bills): One year, $880K. $45K signing bonus, $790K base salary (via Wilson).
- Andrew DePaola, LS (Raiders): Four years, $4.27MM. $875K guaranteed, $580K roster bonus (per Balzer).
Ravens Notes: Crabtree, Ryan Grant, Free Agency
Baltimore made a big splash in free agency on Friday, signing veteran receiver Michael Crabtree a day after his release from the Raiders. The move potentially gives the team a go-to, possession receiver that it hasn’t had in a number of years.
Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome said as much after the completion of the three-year deal worth up to $21MM. According to the Baltimore Sun’s Jeff Zrebiec (Twitter link): “Michael has played very well against the Ravens, so we know firsthand the attributes he brings to the game. He is a smart, tough, physical receiver who battles for the ball.”
Newsome remembers well, as Crabtree has topped 80 yards in three out of four regular-season meetings with the Ravens and has posted five touchdowns. That included a three-score outing vs. the typically stingy defense in 2016.
Known for utilizing his big arm early in his career, quarterback Joe Flacco has worked closer to the line of scrimmage in recent years and has posted at least a 64% completion rate in each season in 2015. That is likely to continue with a reliable option like Crabtree joining the hold.
Here’s more from Baltimore:
- Despite signing both John Brown and Crabtree, Newsome hasn’t ruled out a return to the fold for Mike Wallace and Michael Campanaro, ESPN’s Jamison Hensley tweets. According to Hensley, the team has been in contact with both receivers.
- Newsome said the team would have pursued Crabtree regardless if the team signed Ryan Grant or not,” Zrebiec tweets. The team voided a contract with the former Redskins wideout after he failed a physical.
- Sticking with Grant, Newsome said via Zrebiec on Twitter: “I did not get the results of Ryan’s physical until about 4 o’clock yesterday.” He said the team consulted with many doctors around the country. “It’s not a football decision. It’s a medical decision that I had no control over.”
- Before news of the Crabtree signing hit, Newsome said the team could add two or three more quality football players, Zrebiec tweets. Recently, Pro Football Rumors listed Baltimore’s top three offseason needs and named adding receiver help, beefing up the pass rush and fortifying the secondary as the team’s top goals. It checked No. 1 off the board with the Crabtree move.
Michael Crabtree Signs With Ravens
It didn’t take long for Michael Crabtree to find a new home. Just a day after being released by the Raiders, the veteran receiver reached an agreement on a three-year deal to join the Ravens, ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets. 
The Ravens confirmed the deal in a followup, emoji-filled tweet moments later.
The deal is worth up to $21 MM and includes $11 MM in guaranteed money, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (Twitter link).
After long speculation, the Raiders decided to cut the nine-year wideout on Friday after it inked Jordy Nelson to a deal. Shortly after the move, the Ravens set up a meeting and were reportedly going hard to sign Crabtree.
In three seasons with the Raiders, Crabtree recorded 232 catches for 2,543 yards and 25 touchdowns. Despite having a down season in 2017, the Texas Tech product still managed to lead Oakland with eight touchdown grabs.
The Ravens have been looking for a go-to wideout for a long time and the team is hoping Crabtree can fill that role. Only three Baltimore receivers, and none since Torrey Smith in 2014, have recorded eight receiving touchdowns in a season, the amount Crabtree has logged in every season since 2015.
The team has been looking to upgrade its receiving options so far in the 2018 offseason. It added a deep threat with the addition of former Cardinals wideout John Brown earlier in the week. The team also thought it had a deal with former Redskins pass catcher Ryan Grant, but the deal was voided after he failed his physical. It was also reported the team was in the mix for Jimmy Graham and Eric Ebron.
[RELATED: Ravens Depth Chart]
Colts To Meet With WR Ryan Grant
Free agent wide receiver Ryan Grant is set to meet with the Colts, his agent tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Grant had an agreement to join the Ravens, but that deal was nullified on Thursday due to the results of his physical. 
While the Ravens’ doctors were not comfortable with signing Grant, agent Rocky Arceneaux says that his ankle is a non-issue. Arceneaux says his client has been working out and running routes without any issue. Grant’s ankle was cleared by famed surgeon Dr. Robert Anderson, the agent says, and he insists his client is ready to rock.
“If there were a game tomorrow, Ryan would be able to play,” the agent said.
Grant had a breakout season in 2017, notching 45 receptions for 573 yards and four touchdowns with Washington. The Redskins previously expressed interest in retaining Grant, so that could be another possibility for him if a deal doesn’t come together with the Colts.
Ravens Void Deal With WR Ryan Grant
The Ravens’ have voided their reported four-year agreement with wideout Ryan Grant according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter links). Baltimore found an issue with Grant’s ankle that dated back to the 2017 season finale, per Schefter. 
Baltimore had been scheduled to give Grant $14.5MM in injury guarantees, meaning he would get that money if he were cut due to a serious health question mark. The Ravens, or Grant, apparently had no interest in working out a revised deal, and the 27-year-old will now be free to sign with another club.
With Grant out of the picture, the Ravens have moved quickly to set up a visit with veteran wideout Michael Crabtree. Crabtree, who was released by the Raiders earlier today following Oakland’s signing of Jordy Nelson, is scheduled to meet with Baltimore on Friday.
Grant, a former fifth-round pick, broke out with 45 receptions for 573 yards and four touchdowns with Washington in 2017. Pro Football Focus ultimately ranked Grant 57th among 116 NFL wide receivers. The Redskins had previously expressed interest in retaining Grant, so it’s possible a reunion can be forged.
Ian Rapoport of NFL.com was the first to report the Ravens had reached a snag with Grant after finding “something” in his physical (Twitter links). Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
WR Michael Crabtree To Visit Ravens
Michael Crabtree is making his first visit. The wideout is set to meet with the Ravens, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter). The Ravens are “going hard” after the veteran, who was released by the Raiders today, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (Twitter link).
Following the Nelson signing, Oakland released Crabtree today. There had been whispers of Crabtree’s exit from Oakland for some time, although Jon Gruden seemed to indicate that Crabtree would be back with the team in 2018. Crabtree had been productive during his time with the Raiders, as he hauled in at least eight touchdowns in each of his three seasons. However, the 30-year-old’s production dropped in 2017, as he finished with 58 receptions and and 618 yards – his lowest totals since 2013.
Earlier today, our own Zach Links eyed Marqise Lee‘s new contract with the Jaguars as a basis for a Crabtree deal. Lee can earn a maximum of $38MM over the course of his four-year contract. Even if Crabtree’s “true” average annual value falls short of $9.5MM, it’s still a good indicator of what Crabtree can expect to get in free agency
Ravens Interested In TE Eric Ebron
The Ravens have interest in tight end Eric Ebron, according to Jeff Zrebiec of The Baltimore Sun (on Twitter). Ebron became a free agent this week when the Lions opted to release him. 
With Jimmy Graham, Trey Burton, and Tyler Eifert spoken for, Ebron stands as the best tight end remaining, at least in terms of what he can do as a receiver. Ebron’s lack of blocking ability hurts his market somewhat, but he finished last season with 53 catches for 574 yards and four touchdowns and appeared to get his habit of dropped balls under control.
The Lions cut Ebron in order to get out of paying him $8.25MM in 2018. The Ravens, in all likelihood, can sign him for less.
In theory, Austin Seferian-Jenkins could also be an option for the Ravens, but there has been no reported link between the two parties this week.
NFL Contract Restructures: 3/15/18
With the 2018 league year officially underway, a number of teams have reworked player contracts in order to create additional cap space. Here’s what moves clubs have made today:
- Broncos: Created $12.375MM in 2018 cap space by converting $16MM of LB Von Miller‘s $18.5MM base salary into a signing bonus (Twitter link via Adam Schefter of ESPN.com).
- Cardinals: G Mike Iupati accepted $3MM pay cut. 2018 base salary reduced from $7.75MM to $5MM. $250K roster bonus eliminated. 2019 contract season is now voidable (Twitter link via Field Yates of ESPN.com).
- Cowboys: Created ~$7.5MM in 2018 cap space by restructuring C Travis Frederick‘s contract (Twitter link via Jane Slater of NFL.com).
- Eagles: Created $5.407MM in 2018 cap space by converting $7.21MM of TE Zach Ertz‘s $8MM base salary into a fully guaranteed roster bonus (Twitter link via Yates).
- Ravens: Created $5.625MM in 2018 cap space by converting $7.5MM of DT Brandon Williams‘ $8.5MM base salary into a signing bonus (Twitter link via Yates).