Baltimore Ravens Free-Agency Tracker: Updated Signings, Rumors and Grades
NFL free agency officially opens at 4 p.m. ET on March 10 when players can begin signing contracts with new teams.
To this point, players have been able to re-sign with their current club, but once March 10 hits, that's when they're free to officially sign with someone else.
For the Baltimore Ravens, this is when they'll begin learning the fates of several of their biggest free agents. Linebacker Pernell McPhee, wide receiver Torrey Smith and running back Justin Forsett are the most notable names set to hit the market.
Those are just three of the 30 players who entered the offseason as potential free agents. Once 4.p.m. hits, any of those guys who hasn't re-signed with Baltimore will be free to sign elsewhere.
The Ravens are coming off a 10-6 season and a trip to the playoffs that ended in the divisional round. If they can keep most of their free agents while signing quality guys to replace those who are lost, Baltimore could be in for another playoff run next year.
Keep track here for the latest signings, rumors and grades for each signing Baltimore makes in the coming days.
Bills Sign Tyrod Taylor
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The Ravens are in the market for a new backup quarterback after losing Tyrod Taylor to the Buffalo Bills.
Taylor made it to Buffalo on Wednesday for the first free agency visit of his young career, and it didn't take long for the former Raven to earn his first significant NFL payday.
"“It came very fast,” Taylor told Buffalobills.com. “I didn’t know what to expect going into the free agent market. There was interest from a couple of different teams. I felt this was the best fit for me moving forward so I signed the papers today.”
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Taylor barely played behind Joe Flacco in Baltimore, throwing just 35 passes over four seasons. Now, the fifth-year QB will compete for the starting job with Matt Cassel and EJ Manuel.
According to Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun, Taylor's deal allows him to make around $7 million if he becomes a starter. The former sixth-round pick out of Virginia Tech originally signed a four-year, $2.1 million rookie deal.
Needless to say, Taylor got a nice payday after being a suitable backup for Joe Flacco for four years.
Justin Forsett Re-Signs with Ravens
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Running back Justin Forsett was arguably the MVP of the Ravens offense this past season after finishing fifth in rushing yards with 1,266 yards.
Though he got interest from other teams, Forsett has opted to re-sign with Baltimore, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. It's a three-year deal that will likely keep Forsett as the No. 1 running back for the foreseeable future in Baltimore.
He was a big reason the Ravens improved from 30th in rushing offense in 2013 to No. 8 this past year. He was also a viable pass-catcher with 44 catches for 263 yards and was solid in pass protection as well.
However, Forsett signed just a one-year contract this past offseason after it was expected he'd back up Ray Rice, who was later suspended and cut. His emergence led to bigger market for his services developing, but Baltimore was able to get him back.
Pernell McPhee Signs with Bears
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The Ravens have lost outside linebacker Pernell McPhee. Before the signing period even opened, ESPN reported the Chicago Bears had agreed to a deal with McPhee.
Now, the team has announced the signing of McPhee. Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun reports it's a five-year, $40 million deal.
McPhee has developed into a solid pass-rusher for Baltimore's defense, racking up 7.5 sacks this past year while coming off the bench. Playing behind Pro Bowlers Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil limited McPhee's production, but he's still done enough to likely earn a big contract this offseason from someone other than Baltimore.
You can't blame McPhee leaving for a situation that not only offers more playing time, but a nice payday as well. This will be the first major free-agency loss Baltimore endures this offseason.
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Ravens Announce Tenders for Exclusive-Rights Free Agents
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The Ravens have retained several of their exclusive-right free agents free agents, the team announced Wednesday.
Below are the nine that reportedly got tenders:
WR Kamar Aiken ($585,000)
CB Rashaan Melvin ($585,000)
S Brynden Trawick ($585,000)
TE Phillip Supernaw ($510,000)
OL Ryan Jensen ($510,000)
CB Tramain Jacobs ($510,000)
DT Casey Walker ($510,000)
DE Steven Means ($510,000)
LS Patrick Scales ($435,000)
Aiken was the most notable of the bunch, as he caught 24 passes for 267 yards and three scores this past season while also returning a blocked punt for a score against the Jaguars.
With Torrey Smith now gone, Aiken could be in for a significant increase in playing time next season. He'll also get extra snaps as the result of Jacoby Jones being cut.
As for Melvin, he came on strong to end the season for Baltimore's depleted cornerback unit. Melvin was signed off the Dolphins practice squad in November, and he played in five games while starting in four for the Ravens, including the two playoff games.
Melvin notched 28 tackles and a pass deflection in 2014, and he could be in for a bigger role in 2015 depending on how Baltimore addresses the cornerback position.
Scales became the starting long-snapper after Morgan Cox went down with a season-ending injury. Scales started the final four games, including the playoffs.
Trawick played in 14 games at both cornerback and safety, but was mostly used on special teams. He made 7 seven tackles, including four on special teams.
Supernaw, Jensen, Jacobs, Walker and Means were seldom-used backups in 2014.
49ers Sign Torrey Smith
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The end of Torrey Smith's career in Baltimore was already a given, but now we know where the wideout will resume his career.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports Smith is signing a five-year, $40-million deal with the San Francisco 49ers. Ironically, Smith helped lead Baltimore to a win over San Francisco in Super Bowl XLVII.
Still, that won't take away the sting of one of the greatest receivers to even where a Ravens uniform.
In four seasons, Smith has caught 213 passes for 3,591 yards (16.9 YPC) and a franchise-record 30 touchdowns. He had an up-and-down 2014 campaign, finishing with 49 catches for 767 yards (15.7 YPC), but he did record a career-high 11 scores.
Smith stretches the field and opens up the run game while also providing Joe Flacco with the only legitimate deep threat Baltimore has.
Baltimore will now have to find someone else to do what Smith does.
Ravens Trade Haloti Ngata to Lions
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The Baltimore Ravens were expected to lose Haloti Ngata, but instead of cutting the Pro-Bowl lineman, they've managed to trade him instead.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Baltimore will send Ngata and a seventh-round draft pick to Detroit for a fourth and fifth-round pick.
It's a tough pill to swallow, but the Ravens simply could not afford to keep Ngata and his $16 million cap hit. By trading him, the Ravens will save around $8 million in cap space, per BaltimoreRavens.com.
The Ravens made every attempt to restructure Ngata's contract and lower his cap hit before free agency opened, but ultimately could not.
Owen Daniels Signs with Broncos
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The Denver Broncos announced they've signed tight end Owen Daniels, leaving Baltimore without their starting tight end of last season.
After Dennis Pitta went down with a season-ending hip injury, Daniels stepped in and became the full-time starter for the final 16 games, including the playoffs. He went on to catch 56 passes for 638 yards and five scores while helping Baltimore advance to the divisional round.
Daniels signed just a one-year, $1 million deal last offseason, so he's happy to get any deal that's for multiple years with several more million included. That's something Baltimore could not afford to pay the 32-year-old veteran.
Daniels may have remained the full-time starting tight end next year if Pitta's hip injury ends his NFL career. Now, Baltimore is left with a lot of uncertainty at this position.
Ravens Create Cap Space by Re-Doing Terrell Suggs' Deal
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The Ravens may become bigger players in free agency with some added cap space, thanks to Terrell Suggs.
According to ESPN, Suggs has restructured his contract with Baltimore that will free up $2.25 million in salary-cap space:
"Suggs had $3 million of his $4 million base salary in 2015 converted into a bonus, which lowered his cap number this year from $6.2 million to $3.95 million. By doing this, it adds $750,000 to his cap numbers in each of the final three years of his deal: $7.45 million in 2016, and $6.95 million in 2017 and 2018.
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Suggs originally signed this deal back in the 2014 offseason. It was a four-year, $20.7 million deal that the Ravens hope will ensure the Pro Bowl pass-rusher ends his career in Baltimore.
Baltimore is still projected to have just around $1.5 million in cap space, so there's still work to be done just to free up enough cap space to be able to sign all of their draft picks while also keeping some emergency money to sign players to replace injured Ravens.
Cary Williams Joining Seahawks over Offer from Ravens
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Baltimore was hoping to bolster the secondary by signing former Raven Cary williams, but they just missed out on him.
The veteran corner will reportedly sign a three-year deal worth $16 million, according to Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun. Wilson also reported that Williams was considering a reunion with Baltimore, of whom he played with from 2009-2012.
"Williams maintained interest in possibly returning to the Ravens, with whom he earned a Super Bowl ring as a starter three years ago, and the feeling was mutual, according to sources. However, sources said the Seahawks emerged as the winner of a four-team race.
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Williams was a key player for the 2012-13 team that won the Super Bowl, but he left the following offseason to sign with the Eagles.
He started 32 games there over the past two seasons while grabbing five interceptions and deflecting 21 passes.
Torrey Smith Bids Farewell to Baltimore
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The Ravens will not be re-signing longtime receiver Torrey Smith this offseason.
Smith, who's set to hit free agency for the first time in his NFL career, acknowledged in an online post Sunday night that he will not be playing with Baltimore in 2015.
"To the fans, it is tough to leave a city that I now call home. Y’all have embraced my family and me, and we truly appreciate it. Your support has been unreal and I will miss being able to make y’all proud. Although I may no longer be a member of the Baltimore Ravens, at heart, I will always be a Raven.
What we accomplished together is timeless. I will be playing for a different organization, but I will remain committed to the City of Baltimore.
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Though Smith has yet to agree to a deal with another team, this effectively signals the end of Smith's time with the Ravens.
In four seasons, Smith has caught 213 passes for 3,591 yards (16.9 avg.) and a franchise-record 30 touchdowns. He finished this past season with 49 catches for 767 yards (15.7 avg.) and a career-high 11 scores.
Smith has been a huge weapon in the Ravens' offense, and losing him will be a huge blow to Baltimore going forward. He stretched the field and opens up the run game while also providing quarterback Joe Flacco with a true deep threat at receiver.
Without Smith, Baltimore will need to either spend a high draft pick on a receiver, or hope to find one on the cheap in free agency.
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