On Thursday the Ravens agreed to new terms with wide receiver Michael Campanaro. The new deal which replaces the low restricted free agent tender previously extended to the Silver Spring, MD native, is incentive-laced with a maximum value of $2 million.
Based on $2M max total, rest of ~$800K would be incentives, only paid if he earned. Would like to see them do similar w/ Hurst & Jensen too https://t.co/YEjitEVlGA
— Brian McFarland (@RavensSalaryCap) April 6, 2017
According to Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun, Campanaro’s cap number drops from $1.797M to $1.2M.Â
The new deal for Campanaro will open up about $600K of salary cap space for Ravens.
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiecsun) April 6, 2017
Campanaro has shown signs of the shifty player the Ravens envisioned him being when they jumped back into the seventh round of the 2014 draft to select him, but those moments have been few and far between. His inability to stay healthy has been the biggest hurdle and he’s mostly become a forgotten man by the time the regular season begins each of the last three seasons. He has a prime opportunity to change that in what is likely a make or break season for him with the Ravens.
Campanaro has always projected as a slot receiver which is currently one of the Ravens biggest needs. His skill set complements the speed of Mike Wallace and Breshad Perriman well if he can stay healthy, but don’t count on the Ravens banking on his availability. John Harbaugh made it publicly known that he has an interest in seeing Anquan Boldin back in a Ravens uniform. The team has also been linked to receivers early in this year’s draft. If either of those scenarios play out, Campanaro will likely be buried on the depth chart once again.
Regardless, the former Demon Deacon still fills a need. He has shown the ability to be a trustworthy and productive returner and to be used on the occasional jet sweep.
The Ravens have always hoped he’d turn into their own version of Wes Welker or Julian Edelman, but it’s hard to envision him having that type of production after three seasons where he’s totaled 12 catches for 137 yards.
Keeping Camp around isn’t a bad idea, just don’t plan on him being a difference maker.
Based on reports, breakdown of Campanaro's base deal, which is worth up to $2M if incentives are earned: pic.twitter.com/dUFaMvpOYO
— Brian McFarland (@RavensSalaryCap) April 7, 2017
