The Saints aren’t matching the Ravens’ offer sheet for WR Wille Snead, which means it’s time to officially welcome him to Baltimore with our knee-jerk reactions.
Saints are not going to match Willie Snead’s offer sheet with Baltimore, per source. Snead will be a Raven.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 23, 2018
Todd Karpovich
— Snead provides the Ravens with a slot receiver that can be productive when healthy.
— The additions of Snead, Michael Crabtree and John Brown gives Baltimore a potentially formidable group of wide receivers, an upgrade from last season.
— The Ravens will still look to add a speedy outside receiver in the draft.
— The biggest question is whether Joe Flacco will be able to effectively spread around the passes to keep all three happy. This move doesn’t preclude the Ravens from drafting a wide receiver early in the draft.
Cole Jackson
I am a big fan of this signing. Some extra analysis has shown that Willie Snead’s success out of the slot had a lot to do with being matched up on safeties and linebackers, thus avoiding a lot of nickel corner matchups. But that’s what good OC’s do and I’m hoping the Ravens can do the same.
Snead is a sure-handed guy who will go over the middle and take a hit to make a play. The Ravens severely lacked that on this team last year. I think it’s a great fit in the offense I saw last year and I think Snead can do very well here with Brown being in Wallace’s old role and Crabtree in Maclin’s.
This team still lacks one more WR that I hope we get in the draft, but it’s much improved at a good price.
Ryan Jones
Big fan of this signing. Snead had a down year last season but he never really got going after he was suspended and hampered by a hamstring injury. He’s a shifty player who is a good route runner with sure hands and will complement Crabtree and John Brown well.
Ozzie vowed to revamp the receiver corp and he has followed through on that promise.
John Darcey
Personally, I like the signing of Snead. It gives the Ravens a true slot receiver and continues the promise of overhauling the wide receiver room. With the good though, comes two thoughts that may leave the Raven fans a little disappointed.
One, this signing almost ensures that the Ravens will not be calling D.J. Moore‘s name on Thursday night. And, can anyone name the last receiver/tight end who left the Drew Brees Saints and posted similar numbers? Remember, even Jimmy Graham has had problems posting numbers that come anywhere close to what he did in New Orleans.
Mitchell Wolfmann
REALLY like this signing! Between the possibilities of Snead, Allen Hurns, Cameron Meridith and even Dez Bryant, this signing was the optimal choice for the Ravens given Snead’s fit in the offense, his proven production in his first two seasons and the fairly inexpensive contract. Snead is a very reliable target and should get immediate looks to fill in the slot receiver role. Big fan of Snead’s ability to take contact off the line, use footwork to gain separation and use grit to pick up additional chunk yards after catch. Snead is also good at continuing to work with QBs and has the recognition to find soft spots in coverage on extended plays. I expect a big bounce-back year for Snead.
Check back for more knee-jerk reactions as they come in…
