The Ravens have extended Nelson Agholor for another year and the deal allows the Ravens to avoid a cap hit of $1.688M that would have hit their book by 4PM today had the extension not been reached. The move pushes the figure (Agholor’s voidable option) into 2025.
Agholor, who will be 31 in May, was a solid addition to the Ravens WR room and by his own admission, the organizational culture restored Nelly’s love for the game. In 2023, Agholor posted 35 catches on 45 targets for 381 yards and 4 TD’s.
Nelson Agholor is BACK with the Ravens pic.twitter.com/xuwzIrnfAJ
— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) February 18, 2024
Nelly puts the pen to paper!! 🔏 pic.twitter.com/vK1E1L5Z7I
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) February 18, 2024
3/ If no deals done before the 19th, the dead money would be:
Zeitler – $4.268M
Gus – $1.84M
Agholor – $1.668M
Ya-Sin – $1.6M
Stone – $600KTotal Dead money if none re-signed before 2/19 – $9.976M
— Brian McFarland (@RavensSalaryCap) February 2, 2024
“Thank you so much for getting me better and also allowing me to enjoy the game of football. Appreciate y’all.” ~ Nelson Agholor after receiving a game ball from coach John Harbaugh following the Ravens playoff win over Houston
Justin Madubuike is offseason priority No. 1 for the Ravens. A long-term deal is the goal but if the two sides can’t come to terms, the franchise tag is a near certainty. RSR’s Brian McFarland believes that the 2024 cap impact of an extension would be in the $8M range whereas a tag would hit the team’s cap for $21M.
The difference could have a huge impact on roster flexibility during the coming season.
The King
It seems like a foregone conclusion that Derrick Henry has played his last down of football for the Tennessee Titans and word is, he was nearly a Raven just before the trade deadline of 4PM on October 31. Consequently, some believe that Baltimore remains a likely landing spot for The King.
The Baltimore Ravens and Philadelphia Eagles are top landing spots for Tennessee Titans Free Agent Derrick Henry. pic.twitter.com/KejAeLBohZ
— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) February 18, 2024
Count me among those who think that there’s very little chance that Henry comes to Baltimore. GM Eric DeCosta’s alleged interest in the big tailback was likely inspired by injuries to the Ravens running back corps and the team’s push to be the conference’s top seed. Now that all teams sport a (0-0) record heading into 2024, I think the Ravens go younger at the position. After a career high of 5.4 yards per carry (YPC) in 2020, Henry has averaged 4.3, 4.4 and 4.2 YPC during the succeeding three seasons.
And here’s another marquee RB linked to the Ravens who given the team’s cap situation and roster needs, seems as likely to wear purple at Tee Higgins.
Bleacher Report named the Ravens as a top landing spot for Giants RB Saquon Barkley
"Barkley splitting the rushing load with [Lamar] Jackson could prolong both of their primes and improve an already elite rushing attack." pic.twitter.com/Wcsx5SscnL
— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) February 15, 2024
Bengals are expected to use the Franchise Tag on Tee Higgins. 🎟️ pic.twitter.com/jt6c7hFMzC
— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) February 13, 2024
A receiver who could attract the attention of the Ravens brass is Calvin Ridley. The former member of the Crimson Tide caught 76 passes in 2023 for the Jaguars totalling 1,016 yards. Ridley is unlikely to stay in Jacksonville. Should the Jaguars retain Ridley, it will cost them their 2nd round pick. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Jaguars would owe a second-round pick to Atlanta — No. 48 overall — as part of the conditions from their trade last year. The Falcons currently have a third-round pick, No. 79 overall, via Jacksonville.
𝗥𝗨𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗦: The #Jaguars will have to give the #Falcons a 2nd round pick if they re-sign WR Calvin Ridley, per @AdamSchefter pic.twitter.com/JDWE34G7F6
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) February 18, 2024
Go Wide
In 2023 the Ravens fixed their wide receiver position. Agholor was the team’s first move. They then agreed to terms with Odell Beckham, Jr. followed shortly thereafter by first-round draft pick, Zay Flowers. Time will tell if the repair job was temporary.
Agholor is back in the fold; OBJ is probably not; and Flowers, well, who really knows at this point.
If Flowers is guilty of domestic violence, he’s earned his punishment and that could change his playing status to “former Raven”, per Steve Bisciotti’s no tolerance policy. If he isn’t guilty, his good name may be forever tarnished and it could take some work to alter the public’s perception.
How the Flowers situation shakes out is anyone’s guess at this point. If the Ravens 2023 first-round pick is suddenly unavailable to the Ravens and OBJ moves on as expected, the forever in flux WR room, will once again be unstable.
The challenges of the offseason.
2 Responses
No charges by this point leads me to believe the Flowers thing is a nothing burger-or will be. Color me unconcerned. Flowers is a dawg. Not that he’s LT, but a zero tolerance policy would’ve robbed us of LT and many others. I don’t favor that.
Also I disagree on Henry. We need a power back. Many fans are ready to move on from Gus. We don’t just need a power back. We need a power back who we can rely on somewhat. Why would we choose to do that with a rookie back on contending team. The back will have to pass protect a $200 million asset. Henry is the best option for a 2 yr deal with an option for year 3. He’s already made his money so he won’t be looking for a giant pay day. Just a decent one. Yes draft back also. But I don’t want a rookie back in there on 3rd and 2 in a big spot in a playoff game-unless he’s a top 10 pick
Saw a story this afternoon that said Zay Flowers investigation has been closed without charges. Hope he realizes how close he has come to losing it all and adjusts his behaviors and associations accordingly. Both he and the Ravens have apparently dodged a bullet this time.