Ravens "Want" Jeremy Maclin
Free agent wide receiver Jeremy Maclin just wrapped up a two-day trip to Buffalo, and his visit with the Ravens is also likely to span a pair of days, according to Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter links). The Ravens “want” Maclin, notes Zrebiec, and Josina Anderson of ESPN adds (via Twitter) that they’re “very interested.” But Zrebiec cautions that the Ravens aren’t the only team vying for Maclin, suggesting they’ll face competition from Buffalo and others if they enter negotiations with the 29-year-old.
- Even though the Ravens have lost two of their top pass catchers from last season in retired receiver Steve Smith and just-released tight end Dennis Pitta, they’ll “significantly” improve their aerial attack by adding Maclin or soon-to-be former Jet Eric Decker, opines Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com. It’s “critical” the Ravens pick up one of the two, argues Hensley, given that they lost out on the likes of Brandon Marshall and Pierre Garcon earlier this offseason. Now, with the extra cap space they’ve gotten this week by releasing Pitta and cornerback Kyle Arrington, they could be in position to give a much-needed boost to their receiving corps.
Jeremy Maclin Heads To Ravens Visit
Jeremy Maclin‘s visit to the Bills wound up spanning two days, but it won’t keep him from meeting with the Ravens. The free agent is leaving Buffalo and heading to Baltimore, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter). 
Maclin could still sign with the Bills, as far as we know, but he does not have a deal with them at this time. That leaves the door open for the Ravens to swoop in and potentially land him this week. The Eagles and Browns are also among the clubs said to have interest in the 29-year-old.
The Ravens have Mike Wallace, Breshad Perriman, Chris Moore, and Michael Campanaro as their top receivers following the retirement of Steve Smith. Because Baltimore did not address the position in the draft, a veteran addition like Maclin would make tons of sense for the team and the need to add a weapon for Joe Flacco has only been amplified by Dennis Pitta‘s injury/release.
If the Ravens cannot get a deal done with Maclin, they could explore a potential deal for Jets receiver Eric Decker. The Jets have already called the Ravens about a swap.
Ravens Release TE Dennis Pitta
The Ravens have formally released tight end Dennis Pitta, according to a team announcement. Pitta’s career could be over after he suffered yet another hip dislocation. 
[RELATED: Ravens TE Dennis Pitta Has Dislocated Hip]
The move will free up roughly $2MM in cap room for Baltimore, money that could be directed towards landing another pass-catcher. The Ravens could have free agent wide receiver Jeremy Maclin in their sights and that extra space could be a difference maker.
For several years, Pitta has been dealing with painful hip issues that have kept him off the field. The tight end was limited to just seven games between 2013 and 2015, but he became a focal point of Baltimore’s offense once again in 2016 as he caught 86 passes for 729 yards and two scores. Ever the team player, he even accepted a pay cut for the second straight time this offseason. He’ll be free to pursue other opportunities now, but it doesn’t sound like he’ll be able to suit up again.
The Ravens also signed rookie free agent tight end Barrett Burns in a related move.
Ravens, Jets Discuss Eric Decker Trade
The Jets say they’ll trade or release Eric Decker before the week is through. With that in mind, they’re reaching out to clubs to try and get something for the veteran and the Ravens are among those teams, Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (on Twitter). 
[RELATED: Jets To Trade Or Release Decker]
The Ravens’ level of interest in acquiring Decker via trade is not immediately clear. From a football perspective, Decker would make plenty of sense for the Ravens after they lost Steve Smith to retirement and did not select a wide receiver in this year’s draft. However, the Ravens might not want to take on the two years remaining on his five-year, $36.25MM contract. In theory, the Ravens could wait things out and try to land Decker as a free agent if he is released.
Decker, 30, had 154 catches, 1,989 yards, and 17 touchdowns in his first two seasons with the Jets. Unfortunately, he missed the majority of 2016 due to injury. Now that he’s healthy, Decker is looking to get back to his old form with another team.
The Ravens project to have Mike Wallace, Breshad Perriman, Chris Moore, and Michael Campanaro as their top receivers in the fall.
Ravens Could Pursue Eric Decker
- The Ravens could be the next destination for soon-to-be former Jets wide receiver Eric Decker, according to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports (Twitter link). For now, the receiver-needy Ravens are scheduled to meet with free agent wideout Jeremy Maclin on Wednesday, but he’s currently in Buffalo and won’t make it to Baltimore if the Bills are able to close the deal tonight.
Ravens Sign TE, Cut CB
- The Ravens announced that they’ve signed tight end Ryan Malleck and cut cornerback Carlos Davis. Malleck, undrafted from Virginia Tech in 2016, previously spent time with the Giants and Steelers. Davis hooked on with the Ravens last month as an undrafted free agent, but he suffered an injury early in OTAs.
Bills To Meet With Jeremy Maclin
The Bills and wide receiver Jeremy Maclin are set to meet today, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). After that, Maclin’s next stop could be with the Ravens on Wednesday.
[RELATED: Bills QB Tyrod Taylor Eyeing Maclin]
LeSean McCoy has made no secret of the fact that he wants Maclin in Buffalo and he started recruiting the receiver hard after he was released by the Chiefs. Maclin could help to keep defenders away from star Sammy Watkins and also step up in the event that he is injured again in 2017. The Bills’ depth chart also includes second-round pick Zay Jones, Rod Streater, Andre Holmes, and Corey Brown.
The Chiefs cut Maclin when they couldn’t find another team willing to take on his 2017 base salary of $9.75MM. He’ll likely sign for less with another club, but he should still command a decent salary given the impact that he can potentially have elsewhere. Maclin turned in a decent season in 2016, hauling in 87 catches for 1,000+ and eight touchdowns.
Ravens Release CB Kyle Arrington
The Brandon Boykin signing isn’t the only shakeup to the Ravens cornerback depth chart today. The Ravens announced that they’ve also signed Al-Hajj Shabazz, and they subsequently released veteran cornerback Kyle Arrington on a failed physical designation. ESPN.com’s Jamison Hensley points out that releasing Arrington will save the organization around $2.1MM in cap space.
Arrington will finish his tenure with the Ravens having played in only 15 games over two seasons. Following six seasons with the Patriots, the former undrafted free agent out of Hostra joined Baltimore on a three-year deal. He started four of his 15 games during the 2015 season, compiling 28 tackles and one forced fumble. However, the 30-year-old was forced to sit out the entire 2016 campaign recovering from a concussion.
Shabazz has spent time with the Colts, Buccaneers, Steelers, and Texans since going undrafted in 2015. He played in eight games between Houston and Pittsburgh last season, compiling a single tackle.
When you consider these moves, the Boykin signing, and the fact that Tavon Young is now out with a torn ACL, the Ravens cornerback depth chart looks drastically different than it did only a week ago. Boykin and Shabazz will presumably be competing with Lardarius Webb and Maurice Canady for the team’s nickel corner spot.
Ravens Sign CB Brandon Boykin
The Ravens have found a replacement for injured cornerback Tavon Young. According to Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter), the team has signed veteran defensive back Brandon Boykin.
Boykin hasn’t appeared in the NFL since he played in 15 games with the Steelers in 2015. The former fourth-round pick caught on with both the Panthers and Bears during the 2016 offseason, but he landed on Chicago’s injured reserve after suffering a pectoral injury during training camp.
Prior to last season, the 26-year-old hadn’t missed a single regular season game during his four-game career. His best season came in 2013, when he finished with 47 tackles, six interceptions, and 16 passes defended. Boykin compiled a career-low 25 tackles during his lone season in Pittsburgh during the 2015 campaign.
Young tore his ACL during practice last week, presumably ending his season. The Ravens revamped their cornerback depth chart this offseason, adding free agent Brandon Carr and first-round pick Marlon Humphrey. Boykin will presumably be competing with Lardarius Webb and Maurice Canady for the team’s nickel corner spot.
Are Ravens A "Perfect Fit" For Maclin?
- The Ravens are a “perfect landing spot” for Maclin, writes ESPN.com’s Jamison Hensley. Joe Flacco could certainly use another target, especially following the injury to pass-catching tight end Dennis Pitta. Similar to the Eagles, Baltimore doesn’t have much cap space, so they wouldn’t be able to engage in a bidding war for the receiver. However, if Maclin is looking to slot atop the depth chart for a potential contender, then the Ravens should be considered.
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