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Ravens kicker Justin Tucker will become an unrestricted free agent if he isn’t re-signed before the conclusion the NFL’s 2015 league year.
But don’t worry, he WILL be back!
Even if the Ravens don’t strike a new deal with the most accurate kicker in NFL history, he will still don the purple and black in 2016 by way of the franchise tag or the transition tag.
In 2015 Tucker will earn $2.356M by way of the restricted free agent second-round tender. The franchise tag for kickers currently pays $4.126M while the transition tag pays $3.716M. With the transition tag a team has the right to match any offer extended to a player by another team but failure to do so leaves the incumbent empty handed.
With the heightened importance on placekicking given the new PAT rules, the franchise tag would appear to be the way to go, particularly with the relatively narrow gap of $410K between the two tags. The Ravens could use the franchise tag to buy time and hopefully structure a new long-term deal with Tucker.
Speaking of new deals, it’s interesting that all the talk about contract extensions and the Ravens centers upon Marshal Yanda. Yanda defines what it means to Play Like a Raven and is still at the top of his game with no noticeable decline in his play. He’s also one of the team’s quiet leaders. Add it up and 
it’s quite clear why the Ravens want to keep the former pig farmer around for a few more seasons.
But what about Kelechi Osemele?
Osemele will become an unrestricted free agent in 2016 and one might think the upside and value might be a better fit for Ozzie Newsome’s tried and true “right player, right price” equation than a 30-year-old 4-Time Pro Bowler.
However it shakes out, it is unlikely that both will be Ravens in 2016.
Enter the mathematician, Mr. John Urschel.
Some have wondered who the Ravens No. 3 wide receiver will be this season.
Does it matter?
Offensive Coordinator Marc Trestman has made it clear that he will develop an offense around the skill sets of the players and not force a system upon them. With that in mind it seems only fitting that the No. 3 WR will often be determined by down and distance and potential mismatches to exploit.
And let’s not forget that the team now has three, possibly four capable tight ends. Trestman’s is a tight end friendly system and it’s quite possible that when exploiting mismatches he could lean on 2 and 3 tight end formations – particularly if Dennis Pitta surprises everyone and dresses on Sundays at some point this season.
Back to the topic of wide receiver, Michael Campanaro’s quad injury opened the door for UDFA WR DeAndre Carter. Carter has been impressive thus far during OTA’s and has the potential to be a productive slot receiver in the NFL. He could also address the team’s need at the position of punt/kick returner.
Here’s the skinny on Carter per NFL.com:
Explosive short-area quickness and can free himself from most one-on-one coverage. Needs to prove he can offer special-teams return potential to maximize his opportunity. Despite lack of height, his quickness off the snap and out of his breaks will be hard to overlook for teams looking for possession receiver from the slot. Made promise to his dying 17-year-old brother that he would make it in the NFL.
More on Carter HERE…
The Ravens remain steadfast in their expectations for Campanaro and his abilities. But given his nagging injuries in 2014 the one ability that HAS to concern the coaching staff is his availability.
As the saying goes, “You can’t help the club in the tub.”
