Signings, Cuts, Trades

[JAAM]

The report said that they would only do it after June the 1st for salary cap reasons, and that it would likely take a late 1st... Which is a shame because we have a late 1st going spare this year.

King says a 2nd could possibly get it done as well. I’d throw in a 2nd in 2022 and some mid-round picks for Julio, but cost is obviously an issue...

 

[JoeyFlex5]

Well if we are looking at Decosta's 1st round picks you can look at either one. Brown is the easiest one to look at and he has not really lived up to his draft stock thus far. You can blame Roman or whatever, but he has looked generally average. So far it is shades of Torrey Smith which for a first round pick is not a great look. Queen is only in his second year, but has been hit and miss. If we are going to call Dobbins a hit after 1 year, then I would say being concerned about Qeen after 1 year is fine and being concerned about Brown after 2 is warranted.

Why should we be concerned about queen? Honestly, I’d hear an assessment on this...

 

[JoeyFlex5]

The report said that they would only do it after June the 1st for salary cap reasons, and that it would likely take a late 1st... Which is a shame because we have a late 1st going spare this year.

This is why we should always remember to be patient when we’re freaking out about not signing golladay or juju.

The roster for the year isn’t decided til the trade deadline.

 

[rmcjacket23]

The report said that they would only do it after June the 1st for salary cap reasons, and that it would likely take a late 1st... Which is a shame because we have a late 1st going spare this year.

Yeah, but there's still one problem... Ravens can't afford it (at least not as-is).

Trade assets aside, he has a $15.3M salary for this year, which the trading team would absorb. The Ravens don't have anywhere close to enough cap space to take on a $15.3M player.

Now, they would also be taking on the full 3 years of his deal that is left, which includes $11.5M salaries in 2022 and 2023. In theory, they could restructure his deal to give him some bonus money this year and push the cap further, BUT, I think they'd have to go pretty low. Like they would need to shave at least $10M off his current cap number.

Couple this with the facts that a) we're almost certainly going to add a veteran RT via FA, which won't be that cheap most likely and b) we're still very much looking to add a veteran pass rusher in FA, I just don't see paths to this happening.

The only way it would happen is if the Ravens basically landed sufficient pass rush and OT help in the draft that they felt the only upgrade they needed was WR, and that would mean basically not getting a WR until at least day 3. And since you're not trading for Julio until June, you can't guarantee both will happen.

This seems like a very long shot to me. Not impossible, but there are a LOT of things that would have to go our way to make it happen. Precisely why I'm always hesitant when I read a national reporter like King speculating on this stuff. His basis is just "WR needy teams", which is fine, but it requires a lot more than that to make something happen. And I think if he looked at the financial situation and "needs" of this team, he probably wouldn't have included the Ravens on his list.

 

[QuothTheRaven]

Yeah, but there's still one problem... Ravens can't afford it (at least not as-is).

Trade assets aside, he has a $15.3M salary for this year, which the trading team would absorb. The Ravens don't have anywhere close to enough cap space to take on a $15.3M player.

Now, they would also be taking on the full 3 years of his deal that is left, which includes $11.5M salaries in 2022 and 2023. In theory, they could restructure his deal to give him some bonus money this year and push the cap further, BUT, I think they'd have to go pretty low. Like they would need to shave at least $10M off his current cap number.

Couple this with the facts that a) we're almost certainly going to add a veteran RT via FA, which won't be that cheap most likely and b) we're still very much looking to add a veteran pass rusher in FA, I just don't see paths to this happening.

The only way it would happen is if the Ravens basically landed sufficient pass rush and OT help in the draft that they felt the only upgrade they needed was WR, and that would mean basically not getting a WR until at least day 3. And since you're not trading for Julio until June, you can't guarantee both will happen.

This seems like a very long shot to me. Not impossible, but there are a LOT of things that would have to go our way to make it happen.

It's not happening - it really doesn't need much analysis. But it IS fun to think about.

 

[rmcjacket23]

It's not happening - it really doesn't need much analysis. But it IS fun to think about.

I don't even think its super fun either. I think if we were talking about 25 year old Julio, sure.
But we're talking about a 32 year old player, with a ton of usage and a ton of previous injury concerns, who's also quite expensive.

If I want the WR room to improve dramatically, I'd rather see it be done through adding cheap players through the draft who can be here for 4-5 years.

 

[rossihunter2]

King says a 2nd could possibly get it done as well. I’d throw in a 2nd in 2022 and some mid-round picks for Julio, but cost is obviously an issue...

that contract is the biggest issue with it - im sure if the front office really wanted him they could make it work though

 

[rossihunter2]

I don't even think its super fun either. I think if we were talking about 25 year old Julio, sure.
But we're talking about a 32 year old player, with a ton of usage and a ton of previous injury concerns, who's also quite expensive.

If I want the WR room to improve dramatically, I'd rather see it be done through adding cheap players through the draft who can be here for 4-5 years.

there's a reason he's available...

 

[JAAM]

that contract is the biggest issue with it - im sure if the front office really wanted him they could make it work though

Exactly. Like I’ve always said, if the Ravens truly wanted someone, they’d make it work — regardless of the existing cap hit.

 

[rossihunter2]

It was suggested I post this here:
the last few years we've been building a purpleflock consensus ranking of WRs and would love it if anyone else wanted to contribute as uptake has been a bit lower than in previous years...

LINK



just follow the instructions in the spreadsheet to take part - ranking as many guys as you can (up to 15 - but don't worry if you can't get to 15)

 

[rossihunter2]

Exactly. Like I’ve always said, if the Ravens truly wanted someone, they’d make it work — regardless of the existing cap hit.

for me it'd be more of a case of value vs impact - and a 32 yr old Julio might not be worth the pick + cap space loss...
but we might feel very differently about it in a month's time if we didn't get anyone in the draft...

 

[JAAM]

for me it'd be more of a case of value vs impact - and a 32 yr old Julio might not be worth the pick + cap space loss...
but we might feel very differently about it in a month's time if we didn't get anyone in the draft...

I can honestly see us not coming away with a WR in the 1st unless we shock the world and trade up. I don’t think Bateman makes it to 27. I think edge and OT/IOL will be our picks on Thursday, in which case, I would find it hard to believe we wouldn’t seek a Julio trade, or a trade for another proven vet or wait for a cap casualty.

 

[JAAM]

I haven’t paid attention to Atlanta at all this season, nor did I have Julio in fantasy lol. What’s the deal with the injuries and why are they such a concern? He missed 7 games last season, and a total of 11 games since 2016 I believe. I can see him playing at a high level for 4 or 5 more years. He’s an absolute freak

 

[drjohnnyfever]

Julio's contract is for nearly 20M this year. We are not signing him for that or trading and inheriting that. If somehow his contract is restructured maybe, but why would he be motivated to do that other than playing for a potential superbowl team. At 20M, giving away a pick and having to pay that salary is not going to happen. Plus he's 17M next year and a huge dead money hit if dropped. I know I advocated for him in the past and he'd do great here, imo, but that money would be crippling and with a pick going too, just plain stupid. Unless, I'm an idiot and missing something from the equation, which is also a possiblity.

 

[JoeyFlex5]

Julio's contract is for nearly 20M this year. We are not signing him for that or trading and inheriting that. If somehow his contract is restructured maybe, but why would he be motivated to do that other than playing for a potential superbowl team. At 20M, giving away a pick and having to pay that salary is not going to happen. Plus he's 17M next year and a huge dead money hit if dropped. I know I advocated for him in the past and he'd do great here, imo, but that money would be crippling and with a pick going too, just plain stupid. Unless, I'm an idiot and missing something from the equation, which is also a possiblity.

Julio isn’t in his prime, but he should still have more than a few years left, he’s a perfect example of a player who was signed at their peak with intentions of being extended/restructured later on. It’s entirely plausible that the suitor negotiates an extension with julios agent prior to trading and all 3 sides agree to terms

 

[rossihunter2]

I can honestly see us not coming away with a WR in the 1st unless we shock the world and trade up. I don’t think Bateman makes it to 27. I think edge and OT/IOL will be our picks on Thursday, in which case, I would find it hard to believe we wouldn’t seek a Julio trade, or a trade for another proven vet or wait for a cap casualty.

id just be surprised that an edge we like makes it to 27 other than maybe phillips - and if he made to 27 then there's likely medical concerns that drop him on our board too...

maybe bateman doesn't make it to 27, but im fairly certain the league is going to be super high on elijah moore and even marshall (if his medicals are fine) - and someone's going to like Toney and possibly even rondale moore

there's 8 guys that have a chance to go in round 1 and it'll likely be down to team preference and i can definitely envision a world where bateman's passed over in favour of these other guys

 

[JoeyFlex5]

I haven’t paid attention to Atlanta at all this season, nor did I have Julio in fantasy lol. What’s the deal with the injuries and why are they such a concern? He missed 7 games last season, and a total of 11 games since 2016 I believe. I can see him playing at a high level for 4 or 5 more years. He’s an absolute freak

Name a wr, at any age or any price point, that would make lamars life easier than Julio.

now that the news is officially out that julios on the trade block, I’m all in on that.

 

[JAAM]

id just be surprised that an edge we like makes it to 27 other than maybe phillips - and if he made to 27 then there's likely medical concerns that drop him on our board too...

maybe bateman doesn't make it to 27, but im fairly certain the league is going to be super high on elijah moore and even marshall (if his medicals are fine) - and someone's going to like Toney and possibly even rondale moore

there's 8 guys that have a chance to go in round 1 and it'll likely be down to team preference and i can definitely envision a world where bateman's passed over in favour of these other guys

I’m just iffy on another smaller, fast WR in the 1st. Lamar needs a big body guy that can get contested balls. Only short, fast guy I’d be fine with is Waddle but it’s not happening. I don’t think we like Marshall honestly, and neither does Peter King. For me, at 27, it’s Bateman or another position altogether. Just my opinion though

 

[rmcjacket23]

I can honestly see us not coming away with a WR in the 1st unless we shock the world and trade up. I don’t think Bateman makes it to 27. I think edge and OT/IOL will be our picks on Thursday, in which case, I would find it hard to believe we wouldn’t seek a Julio trade, or a trade for another proven vet or wait for a cap casualty.

Why does the WR have to come in the first? Don't see any reason why they couldn't get one in day two. There's not a lot of difference to me between 2nd round WRs and guys you're taking at 27 or 31.

 

[JAAM]

Why does the WR have to come in the first? Don't see any reason why they couldn't get one in day two. There's not a lot of difference to me between 2nd round WRs and guys you're taking at 27 or 31.

So if Bateman is there at 27, there’s not a lot of difference him and a 3rd+ rounder? We don’t have a 2nd