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Ravens Sign Round 1 WR Zay Flowers

June 14th, 2023 at 3:46pm CST by Sam Robinson

Part of a record-setting receiver run in the first round, Zay Flowers joined the other three wideouts chosen consecutively in signing his rookie contract. The Ravens rookie agreed to terms on his deal Wednesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.

Flowers’ No. 22 slot deal will be worth $14MM, with Schefter adding the Boston College product will receive his entire $7.2MM signing bonus this year. This draft’s Nos. 20, 21 and 23 picks — Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Quentin Johnston and Jordan Addison — had previously agreed to terms on their four-year rookie deals (feat. fifth-year options).

A four-year contributor at the ACC school, Flowers will be part of a revamped Ravens receiving corps this year. Flowers joins Odell Beckham Jr. and Nelson Agholor as outside additions expected to boost Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson-piloted attack. With Flowers under contract, the Ravens have now agreed to terms with all six of their 2023 draftees.

Flowers attracted interest from other teams, with the Giants making an effort to trade up for the shifty pass catcher. Leery of both the Giants and Chiefs, the Ravens did not overthink their strategy and made Flowers the draft’s third straight receiver selected — behind Smith-Njigba and Johnston. This draft featured a record four consecutive wideouts going off the board in the first round.

While Flowers is now the fifth first-round wideout on the Ravens’ roster, joining Beckham (2014), Agholor (2015), Laquon Treadwell (2016) and Rashod Bateman (2021), he is also the franchise’s fourth first-round receiver pick since 2015. The Ravens have repeatedly tried to staff their receiving corps with first-rounders, taking Breshad Perriman in 2015, Marquise Brown in 2019 and adding Bateman two years ago. Perriman did not finish out his rookie contract in Baltimore, while the team dealt Brown to Arizona for a package headlined by a first-round pick. Bateman is coming off a foot injury that ended his season in October.

At Boston College, Flowers led the team in receiving for three straight seasons. In 2022, the 5-foot-9 target caught 78 passes for 1,077 yards and 12 touchdowns. Not much in the way of precedent exists for 5-9 receivers going in Round 1. Only two other wideouts shorter than 5-10 went in the first round in the 21st century. Brown was one of those, with Tavon Austin (Rams, 2013) being the other. The Ravens are betting big on Flowers, who they attempt to give Mark Andrews better support now that Jackson is signed to a record-setting extension.

As rookies prepare for their first training camps, here is how Baltimore’s 2023 draft class looks:

Round 1, No. 22: Zay Flowers, WR (Boston College) (signed)
Round 3, No. 86: Trenton Simpson, LB (Clemson) (signed)
Round 4, No. 124: Tavius Robinson, LB (Ole Miss) (signed)
Round 5, No. 157: Kyu Blu Kelly, CB (Stanford) (signed)
Round 6, No. 199: Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, OT (Oregon) (signed)
Round 7, No. 229 (from Browns): Andrew Vorhees, G (USC) (signed)

Minor NFL Transactions: 6/13/23

June 13th, 2023 at 3:19pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are Tuesday’s minor moves:

Baltimore Ravens

  • Waived: WR Brian Walker

Denver Broncos

The Broncos added Williams last week, doing so to take running back Damarea Crockett‘s roster spot. But the rookie, a Denver-area native and Division II product, will be moved off Denver’s 90-man roster during minicamp to make room for the Frank Clark acquisition. Reported late last week, the Clark signing is now official.

Jets To Sign S Adrian Amos

June 13th, 2023 at 1:41pm CST by Sam Robinson

Months after acquiring Chuck Clark via trade, the Jets are adding another safety to the mix. Adrian Amos intends to sign with the team, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com tweets.

Linked to the Ravens after visiting earlier this offseason, the Baltimore native will instead follow Clark to New York. The Jets are set to add the ex-Bears and Packers safety on a one-year deal worth up to $4MM.

Amos continues the chain of ex-Packers to join the Jets, following Aaron Rodgers, Allen Lazard, Billy Turner and Randall Cobb. Amos, 30, spent the past four seasons in Green Bay and has worked exclusively as a starter throughout his eight-year career. Following the draft, the Packers had not closed the door on re-signing Amos. But they will let another free agent join Rodgers in the Big Apple.

Prior to this Jets agreement, The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec notes the Ravens brought in Amos for a second visit (Twitter link) Monday. Amos met with the Ravens in March as well. Despite steady interest from the Ravens, the Baltimore native received a better offer from the Jets during his New York visit.

While a Packers team with a more glaring need at safety did not show urgency to re-sign Amos this offseason, the veteran defender’s only major connections were to teams with two safety starters in place. The Ravens discussed a deal with Amos, but they already have Marcus Williams and 2022 first-round pick Kyle Hamilton on the back line. The Jets added Clark to a safety corps including Jordan Whitehead. The former Buccaneer, a 2022 free agency addition, started 17 Jets games last season.

Pro Football Focus graded Amos as one of the NFL’s worst safety regulars last season, but he drew a top-30 mark at the position in every other year of his career. Amos also made a career-high 102 tackles in 2022, registering a career-most seven tackles for loss as well. This signing gives the Jets interesting depth, at the very least. It will be interesting to see how the Jets use Amos and if he can recapture the form he showed prior to a 2022 step back.

Amos landed a four-year, $36MM Packers deal during the 2019 offseason. This came just after he started for a No. 1-ranked Bears defense, which powered the team to an NFC North title in Vic Fangio‘s final year at the controls. The former Bears fifth-rounder then helped the Packers to three straight division crowns. Green Bay still rosters ex-first-rounder Darnell Savage, but the team reduced his playing time last season. With Amos now gone, the Packers have a host of less proven players — Rudy Ford, Jonathan Owens and Tarvarius Moore among them — vying for the spot alongside Savage.

As for the Ravens, they remain in strong shape at safety even after dealing Clark and missing out on Amos. They moved Brandon Stephens back to safety, after he played cornerback in 2022, and retained Geno Stone via RFA tender this offseason. While Williams missed a chunk of last season due to injury, he and Hamilton are positioned as entrenched starters going forward. Williams is signed through 2026; Hamilton can be kept on his rookie deal through then via the fifth-year option.

Ravens OL Kevin Zeitler Seeking New Deal

June 12th, 2023 at 1:32pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Ravens currently have a vacancy at left guard, but they have had stability at the opposite spot with Kevin Zeitler for the past two seasons. If the veteran has his way, that will continue beyond 2023.

Zeitler is seeking a new contract, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter (Twitter link). The 33-year-old is attending the Ravens’ mandatory minicamp, though, and plans to be a full participant in the three-day practice period. While he is not holding out, it will be worth watching how Zeitler approaches extension talks with Baltimore.

The former first-rounder signed a three-year, $22.5MM deal with the Ravens in 2021. That pact allowed him to return to the AFC North after he spent time with the Bengals and Browns before a two-year stint with the Giants. Zeitler gave Baltimore an experienced successor to Marshal Yanda at the RG spot, and he has been as advertised for the first two years of his time in Charm City.

Zeitler has started all 32 of his appearances for the Ravens, and his performances have remained consistent during his time with the team. He earned PFF grades of 75 and 74.1 over the past two years, excelling in pass protection in particular. While penalties (seven) were an issue in 2021, that figure dropped to just two last season as Zeitler was part of an offensive line which helped pave the way for the league’s second-most productive rushing attack.

The Wisconsin alum is set to carry a cap hit of $5.2MM in 2023, a reasonable figure given his status as a full-time starter. However, the Ravens selected Andrew Vorhees in the seventh round of this year’s draft, giving them a potential Zeitler successor. The former is expected to miss most or all of his rookie season while recovering from an ACL tear, but he was named the Pac-12’s top offensive lineman and a first-team All-American in 2022, which will lead to considerable expectations for the 2024 campaign. It will be interesting to monitor what developments (if any) will have taken place with respect to Zeitler’s financial future by that point.

AFC North Notes: Browns, Monken, Ravens

June 9th, 2023 at 8:03pm CST by Ely Allen

With Jim Schwartz returning to Cleveland after 28 years, then as a scout, now as defensive coordinator, there are some expected changes to how the Browns‘ defense will get things done. Thanks to Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com, we have a bit of insight into just how things might change in the secondary under Schwartz.

At safety, the team exchanged starter John Johnson III with Juan Thornhill while also bringing in veteran Rodney McLeod, as well. Schwartz brings two interesting factors to the safety position: he likes to play three at one time often and he expects versatility. He doesn’t strictly prescribe to free and strong safety assignments but more often tends to focus on sides of the field. Grant Delpit, Thornhill, and McLeod will be interchangeable and will be asked to line up in many areas.

Versatility will be expected of the cornerbacks, as well, as Schwartz has reportedly been crosstraining all of Cleveland’s defensive backs in the slot. This is welcome news for Greg Newsome II, who reportedly wanted to play more to his strengths on the outside this year. He won’t solely work outside, but with Denzel Ward and Martin Emerson also getting work as nickelbacks this summer, Newsome won’t be asked to shoulder the load in the slot alone.

Here are a few more rumors from around the AFC North:

  • Schwartz is excited to be bringing together two strong pass rushers in Myles Garrett and Za’Darius Smith on the Browns’ defensive line, according to Cabot. After a year in which Jadeveon Clowney failed to mesh with Garrett, Schwartz is excited about the flexibility that Smith brings to the table. For one, he’s already had the experience of working across from talented pass rushers like Danielle Hunter, Preston Smith, Matt Judon, Terrell Suggs, and Elvis Dumervil. Secondly, Smith provides a versatile attack that allows him to rush from either side, as well as from the interior, when needed.
  • After four years under a huddle-first Greg Roman offense, the Ravens will allow quarterback Lamar Jackson a bit more agency in the offense under new offensive coordinator Todd Monken. According to a report from ESPN’s Jamison Hensley, Jackson will be given more freedom to audible and make adjustments at the line this season. This is not completely foreign to the recently extended quarterback. Baltimore experimented with this type of offense in a Week 2 game last year against the Dolphins as a counter to Miami’s pressure package. In that game, Jackson threw for 318 yards and three touchdowns while adding 119 yards and a touchdown on the ground, as well. The Ravens will hope to see more of that in 2023, as Jackson is presented with more opportunities to truly lead the offense.
  • We mentioned about two weeks ago that Ravens second-year tackle Daniel Faalele was a candidate to replace former starting left guard Ben Powers, who departed for Denver in free agency in March. Knowing Faalele’s importance in his current role as one of the team’s primary backup tackles, we boiled it down to a battle between Ben Cleveland and John Simpson. A recent report from Hensley, though, claims that head coach John Harbaugh spoke highly of Faalele at the position and refused to rule him out as a potential starter. He praised Simpson’s performance in the position, as well, but it may be time to start considering Faalele as one of the top candidates to start next year.

Ravens DL Broderick Washington In Line For Starting Role

June 9th, 2023 at 1:03pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Ravens saw veteran defensive end Calais Campbell depart in free agency after making him a cap casualty. That left a vacancy in their starting lineup, but an outside addition is unlikely to be made to fill it.

In-house option Broderick Washington is slated to take over Campbell’s starting spot along the D-line, as noted by Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic (subscription required). The 26-year-old has been used in a rotational capacity to date during his career, but a step up to a first-team role on a permanent basis would come as little surprise given the increases in his workload which have taken place.

Washington has seen his defensive snap shares rise from 30% to 32% and 44% over the course of his three seasons in the league. The former fifth-rounder produced a career-high 49 tackles last season, adding one sack, four QB hits and six pass deflections. A full-time starting position would allow him to build off those numbers, something which could have signficant financial implications.

The Texas Tech product is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and a strong performance in 2023 could boost his free agent value considerably. The Ravens already have Justin Madubuike in place as a prime extension candidate along the defensive front, after he continued his career ascent with a personal-best 5.5 sacks last season. Running back J.K. Dobbins, a fellow 2020 draftee, is also eligible for a new deal, something the team is interested in getting worked out.

The Ravens added Angelo Blackson as a depth member of their D-line for this season, but Washington should be expected to handle starting duties alongside Madubuike and either Michael Pierce or Travis Jones. Another step forward in production could set Washington up for a considerable payday considering the upward trajectory of the DT market showcased this offseason. For the meantime, though, his attention will turn to another increase in playing time and expectations.

Ravens RB Gus Edwards To Be “Partially Ready” For Minicamp

June 8th, 2023 at 6:25pm CST by Ben Levine

Gus Edwards returned from a torn ACL last season, getting into nine games for the Ravens. The team will be counting on a healthy season from the running back in 2023, and as a result, it sounds like they’re bringing him along slowly.

Coach John Harbaugh told reporters that Edwards will only be “partially ready” for next week’s minicamp and should be “fully ready” for training camp in July (per ESPN’s Jamison Hensley on Twitter). The running back was present at OTAs but didn’t participate in team drills.

“I think minicamp, partially ready I’m hearing,” Harbaugh said (via the team’s website). “Training camp he’s supposed to be fully ready.

“He just wasn’t quite ready to get back out and practice yet – no setback. Maybe they’re being a little cautious, but that’s what they’re doing.”

Edwards was a dependable member of Baltimore’s backfield for the first three seasons of his career, with the running back averaging 5.2 yards on his 414 carries while scoring 10 touchdowns. A torn ACL wiped out his entire 2021 season, and after returning this past October, Edwards added another 433 yards and three touchdowns.

The Ravens running back corps will also feature J.K. Dobbins, who made his way back from his own 2021 ACL injury to get into eight games last season. The 24-year-old also missed a chunk of last year after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery. Justice Hill is the only other RB with any experience on the depth chart, as the team is otherwise looking at UDFAs Keaton Mitchell and Owen Wright for depth.

Minor NFL Transactions: 6/6/23

June 6th, 2023 at 7:30pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Baltimore Ravens

  • Waived: QB Nolan Henderson

Buffalo Bills

Nolan Henderson joined the Ravens as an undrafted free agent out of Delaware. He finished his 2022 season with a UD single-season record 32 touchdowns, and there’s some hope he can stick around the NFL. However, he had limited opportunities for practice reps in Baltimore with Lamar Jackson, Tyler Huntley, Anthony Brown, and Josh Johnson ahead of him.

Isaiah Bowser, a Central Florida product, joined the Bills as an undrafted free agent last month. The running back had more than 1,500 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns over his final two collegiate seasons.

J.K. Dobbins Extension On Ravens’ Radar

June 6th, 2023 at 1:20pm CST by Sam Robinson

Injuries have defined J.K. Dobbins‘ rookie-contract years. The August 2021 ACL, LCL and meniscus tears the Ravens running back suffered stopped the momentum he had built as a rookie, and the fallout reduced his 2022 participation as well.

Despite the injury troubles the Ravens have experienced at running back over the past two seasons, they have not made a notable addition at the position this year. Dobbins, Gus Edwards and Justice Hill remain Baltimore’s top three backs. Both Dobbins and Edwards are due for free agency in 2024, the former because his rookie contract is set to expire. But the Ravens appear interested in exploring the possibility of keeping the 2020 second-round pick around beyond this season.

[RELATED: Patrick Queen Eyeing Ravens Extension]

John Harbaugh confirmed that is the case Tuesday, indicating (via Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic) the Ravens want Dobbins back for the 2024 season. Although the 16th-year Ravens HC provided a “but nobody knows the future” caveat, it is interesting plans for another Dobbins deal are being considered at this point.

This offseason revealed more hesitancy on teams’ part regarding second contracts for running backs coming off healthy seasons, let alone players who have seen two years hijacked. Dobbins has missed 26 games since the 2021 knee injury. The recovery period delayed his start to the 2022 slate, and another knee issue forced an in-season surgery and IR stint. The ex-Buckeyes back did not look like his rookie-year version upon return from IR in December, but he did rip off two 100-plus-yard games — one of which helped the Ravens to a win without Lamar Jackson.

The injuries to Dobbins and Edwards have forced the Ravens to bring in numerous veteran stopgap options. Le’Veon Bell, Devonta Freeman, Latavius Murray, Mike Davis and Kenyan Drake stopped through Maryland over the past two seasons. But none of the outside investments remain on Baltimore’s roster. The likes of Kareem Hunt, Ezekiel Elliott, Leonard Fournette, Darrell Henderson and Mark Ingram are among the best-known backs available. Ingram was part of Baltimore’s backfield before Dobbins’ injury.

The 2023 season will obviously serve as a pivotal year for Dobbins, who went from averaging 6.0 yards per carry as a rookie — during an 805-yard, nine-touchdown season — to a player with substantial health red flags. Barring another backfield addition, Baltimore will count on Dobbins being healthy and leading their first Todd Monken-directed ground attack. While Dobbins is eligible for an extension now, the Ravens will surely want to see how he looks this season before making strong considerations about a second contract.

Ravens To Sign WR Laquon Treadwell

June 5th, 2023 at 4:45pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Ravens’ re-tooling of the receiver room continues. Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports that Laquon Treadwell has agreed to terms on a deal with Baltimore (Twitter link).

Pelissero’s colleague Ian Rapoport tweets that the deal will be signed tomorrow. The move represents another (albeit more minor) addition at the WR spot for the Ravens, a team which was active both in free agency and the draft this offseason. Their approach was highlighted by signing Odell Beckham Jr. to a one-year, $15MM deal and selecting Zay Flowers with their first-round pick.

Expectations will be far higher for those two than for Treadwell, despite the fact the latter is also a former Day 1 pick. His career began in Minnesota, but he put up underwhelming numbers on his rookie contract and has bounced around the league since then. Treadwell’s best season came with the Jaguars in 2021, when he recorded a 33/434/1 statline.

The 27-year-old was among Jacksonville’s final roster cuts at the start of the campaign, however, leaving him on the move once again. Treadwell spent time on the Patriots’, Cardinals’ and Seahawks’ practice squads during much of the 2022 season, and he made six total appearances in Seattle. His 34% snap share in the Emerald City was the fourth-highest mark of his career, though he only managed six catches.

In Baltimore, the Ole Miss product will join a crowded receiver room compared to recent seasons. In addition to Beckham and Flowers, the Ravens have 2021 first-rounder Rashod Bateman, along with veteran signing Nelson Agholor and 2020 draftees Devin Duvernay and James Proche in the fold. Treadwell will look to earn a spot amongst those pass-catchers during the summer, and in doing so perhaps aim to generate some career stability along the way.

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