Jan 3, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Baltimore Ravens tight end Crockett Gillmore (80) celebrates with Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith (82) after scoring a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second half during the 2014 AFC Wild Card playoff football game at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
The legal tampering window officially opened up Saturday, and though we haven’t heard any concrete news of a team talking to Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith, there is some smoke regarding interest. We have been bullish on a Torrey Smith departure since Steve Bisciotti basically said the team couldn’t afford to keep him, and it sure seems like the speedster is going to get paid from someone other than the Ravens at this point. Smith has basically confirmed his departure already via his personal blog.
Not helping matters is the fact that Randall Cobb, a #2 receiver and slot guy, just received a whopping $10 million per year to stay in Green Bay. That’s one more guy off the market, leaving Smith, Jeremy Maclin, Percy Harvin, and Michael Crabtree as easily the best receivers left on the market. It could be argued that Smith is the best of the bunch aside from Maclin, meaning that receiver needy teams will be chomping at the bit to pay him. It appears that the 49ers and Texans are interested at the very least.
Among teams to keep an eye on for Torrey Smith: #49ers and #Texans based on need for speed. Best deep threat WR available in free agency.
— Adam Caplan (@caplannfl) March 7, 2015
Multiple league sources say #49ers are very interested in Torrey Smith. Again, they need a deep threat WR--he's it.
— Adam Caplan (@caplannfl) March 8, 2015
As Aaron Wilson at the Baltimore Sun points out, it’s very likely that a team will pay Torrey Smith 2nd tier receiver money, which is probably going to put him out of the Ravens’ price range. I would imagine that the team doesn’t want to spend more than $7 million or so a year on the deep threat after offering him something similar last offseason.
Could also see Torrey Smith getting in range of $8 million to $9 million annually. Several teams interested in Ravens free agent
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 8, 2015
The 49ers are likely preparing to let Michael Crabtree walk, but need a speedy wideout regardless. Crabtree is a slow footed possession receiver, as is Stevie Johnson. The Texans make some sense as they prepare to release Andre Johnson and pass the torch to DeAndre Hopkins. In either case, Torrey would fill a need. Heck, there are a lot of teams out there that would make a ton of sense for the guy.
There is a possibility that Smith shops around and brings his offers back to Baltimore, ultimately giving the Ravens a home town discount. Every indication we’ve received from him is that he wants to stay in Baltimore. Everyone had already written off a Cobb and Packers reunion, after all, and it happened after Green Bay was forced to up the ante after they reportedly offered him $8-$9 million a year. Either way, we’ll probably find out where Torrey Smith will be playing early in the week.
Next: Don't expect the Ravens to be active early in free agency
More from Ebony Bird
- Will Baltimore Ravens be rewarded for risky Lamar Jackson decision?
- The Baltimore Ravens Big Gamble
- Ravens Super Bowl odds present fascinating insight on Lamar Jackson’s future
- Should Baltimore Ravens be interested in this recently released WR
- Do the Baltimore Ravens have serious interest in this free agent wide out?