One of the most effective functions of the Ravens front office has long been their ability to prey on 31 other franchises via cap casualties, as the team has the propensity to turn one man’s trash into Baltimore’s treasure. 2018 will be no different, and so, let’s take a look at the most likely early-season pink slips that can potentially lead to new ink on a contract with the Ravens.
AFCW: Emmanuel Sanders (DEN), Derrick Johnson (KC), Travis Benjamin (LAC), Michael Crabtree (OAK)
Let’s head back east, where we take a look at the best Ravens Prey from the AFC Super Bowl reps, and those three other also-rans in their division…
AFC East
Buffalo Bills: TE Charles Clay
Charles Clay is a special case, where the team might cut a player, regardless of cap hit. Clay’s $9M cap hit equals his $9M in dead money if cut, but will the Bills continue to carry a high-priced TE who averages 500 yards & 3 TD per season during his seven-year NFL career?
If Clay is cut, the Ravens may poke around to see how viable it would be to add him as a TE2Â at best. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t believe Clay is the savior at the position, but IÂ do believe he’s still better than any TE on the Ravens roster right now, and even if they draft a rookie in Day 2 of the NFL draft, they’ll still try to add another vet TE to feel comfortable. If the price is right (cheap), Clay could be worth a look.
Miami Dolphins: TE Julius Thomas
Another Tight End!
Understanding that Julius Thomas is not the tight end the Ravens should be clamoring for, he would certainly provide an upgrade over anything currently on the Ravens roster. And quite honestly, who’s to say he can’t be the TE he once was back in Denver? Since leaving Denver, Thomas has been catching passes from Blake Bortles, Matt Moore & Jay Cutler. Not exactly a promising trio of QB’s (yes, Bortles was better in ’17 but awful in ’15 & ’16 when Thomas was there).
Should the Fins part ways with Thomas to save $4.6M (as they continue to try to negotiate with Jarvis Landry, they need the cap space), I would think the Ravens would be interested in taking a flyer on Thomas to see if he can regain his old form.
New England Patriots: TE Martellus Bennett
Yes. Another. Tight. End.
Mind you, this isn’t suggesting the Ravens go out and add all of the these Tight Ends but merely options that could be available that are worth a phone call.Â
In this instance, Martellus Bennett would provide a high-risk/high-reward option for the Ravens, but again, a much needed upgrade that could come at a relatively inexpensive cost. Best case scenario? The Ravens get the ’16 Patriots version of Bennett (701 yards, 7 TD). Worst case scenario? Bennett pulls a ’17 Packers fiasco and threatens to retire because he’s not winning.
With Bennett, I can see the Ravens driving a hard pass, based on his issues. BUT. If Jimmy Graham, Trey Burton & even Austin Sefarian-Jenkins all get scooped up quickly, Bennett’s availability – if the Pats opt to cut the backup TE over paying him $6.1M – becomes intriguing.
New York Jets: WR Robby Anderson
Teams like the J-E-T-S are harder to assess in this game of ‘who gets cut’ simply because they’re flush with cap space already and in the process of rebuilding. Most of the players they’ll let loose this offseason are either 1) bad, 2) old, or 3) bad and old.
Obviously none of those options are ideal for the Ravens, who have their fair share of bad & old roster spot thieves as well.
That being said, I’m going with a risky move here in Robby Anderson, if only because the Ravens need to take some calculated risks this offseason, in order to work their way back into the hearts of the fans via lots and lots of W’s.
The reason the Jets would consider cutting ties with the former UDFA-turned-stud-WR is simple: off-field issues embarrassing the franchise to the point where fans are calling to oust Anderson. Before you jump on the ‘Ravens won’t touch guys with issues like that’ here’s the catch: it’s all traffic violations.
No drugs. No alcohol. No domestic violence.
While no arrest is a ‘good’ arrest, it’s an issue that is tied with immaturity, and if the Ravens feel they can help correct it? Anderson instantly becomes Baltimore’s #1 wideout for cheap (I’d give him a two-year ‘prove it’ deal) which still allows the team to go after a Jarvis Landry.
Could you even imagine Landry and Anderson on the Ravens roster?
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