Reggie Wayne: Why Free Agent WR Is Ravens' Best Offseason Option

Numerous media outlets are speculating that Reggie Wayne would be a fit for the Baltimore Ravens, and they are absolutely right. Wayne would be a solid fit at receiver and would be an excellent third-down option for the Ravens.

For this to make sense, we have to assume that Wayne and Peyton Manning are not a package deal.

While playing with Manning would certainly be attractive to Wayne, he has a chance to make his own legacy, free to break out on his own. Playing with Manning for so long has led Wayne to appear just a cog in the Colts machine, rather than a truly unique talent. Taking a risk and moving on to another team and another quarterback could prove that perception wrong.

Further, money will still play a major role in acquiring Wayne. He will go to the highest bidder, and that could keep him away from Manning, who will be a strain on his eventual team's salary cap.

Enter the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens have just enough money to make one splash-signing, and no one makes more sense than Wayne.

The Ravens' past two seasons have ended with key drops by backup receivers. Ravens backup receivers only had four total receptions last year, an inexcusable number.

Clearly, the Ravens need depth at receiver. More importantly, the Ravens need hands they can trust. Wayne has among the best hands in the NFL, and Flacco and company could be confident that he would not drop the game-winning touchdown pass.

What Wayne lacks in speed and size, he more than makes up for in route-running ability and pure ball skills.

With Anquan Boldin and Torrey Smith combining for 12 drops in 2011, the Ravens need to put a premium on finding a reliable pair of hands. Wayne could step right in and be the reliable third-down option that the Ravens lacked in 2011.

Finally, and most importantly, Wayne could come at a cheaper price than other free-agent receivers. Vincent Jackson, Marques Colston and Mike Wallace will demand huge contracts, and the Ravens would also have to give up a first-round pick to sign Wallace. Wayne will come with a significantly cheaper contract.

All in all, Wayne will not demand the money that the bigger names will command, but he is just as talented and would have just as big of an impact on the Ravens game. That makes Wayne the ideal target for the Ravens in free agency.