Baltimore Ravens: Passing catching TE is a major need
By Joe Schiller
As much as the Baltimore Ravens should strive to get wide receiver help this offseason, a pass-catching tight end should be a close second.
There’s no secret the Baltimore Ravens need wide receiver help. I know it, the fans know it and the Ravens themselves know it. When you finish the 2017 season with the 29th ranked passing attack, that’s a problem. But it shouldn’t just be wide receivers the Ravens target this offseason, tight ends should very much be included. Because as much as we want to complain about the Ravens not having any pass catchers at wide receiver, the same can be said for tight ends heading into next season.
At this point, we know Maxx Williams, Nick Boyle and Vince Mayle are returning next season. The problem is, the three combined for just 289 receiving yards and one touchdown in 2017. Williams has yet to show any real production, Boyle is primarily a blocker and Mayle is a special teams specialist. Ben Watson was the biggest receiving threat at the position but is a free agent going on 38-years old. With rumors of his retirement, it’s hard to see a situation where he returns next season. Crockett Gillmore is also a free agent and Darren Waller just served a lengthy suspension. The Ravens don’t have a surefire pass-catching threat at the possession and that’s a problem.
There hasn’t been a legitimate threat at the position in Baltimore since Dennis Pitta. Joe Flacco thrived with him as the security blanket and the chemistry between the two was a major part of Joe’s success. Watson was the next best thing this season but even that still couldn’t elevate the passing game.
It’s not being mentioned enough but the Ravens need to add a pass-catching tight end.
Where can the Ravens find this help? The two obvious solutions are through free agency or the draft. Unfortunately, free agency doesn’t offer much. Jimmy Graham is the biggest name but he’s on the decline and his price tag would be too much for the Ravens’ limited cap space. The rest of the free agent class doesn’t warrant much more help than the Ravens already have.
The next best solution is through the draft and that makes the most sense, given the talent this year. Here’s a look at three possible tights the Ravens could target.
Possible draft targets
1. Mark Andrews, Oklahoma
2. Troy Fumagalli, Wisconsin
3. Dallas Goedert, South Dakota State
I included these three prospects because they’re projected to land anywhere between the second fourth round. I kept out South Carolina prospect Hayden Hurst because he’s projected to possibly be a late-round pick. With the No. 16 pick hopefully the Ravens are targeting a big-play wide receiver.
Goedert is a wild-card pick out of South Dakota State and has drawn comparisons to Rob Gronkowski. Even from an FCS school, the Ravens won’t shy away. We’ve seen them hit on players like Matt Judon and Brandon Williams, who’ve come from smaller programs. Fumagalli is the most complete out of the three as a tight end and has shown the ability to be a blocker and pass-catcher. Andrews is the youngest but has the most finesse and receiving skill.
The common denominator is that all three are proven receiver threats based on their collegiate careers. The Ravens will be scouting plenty of prospects but will get an extended look at Fumagalli and Goedert in the Senior Bowl.
Next: Baltimore Ravens: 5 potential cap casualties
As much as the Ravens can’t afford to start the season with a decimated receiver core, they can’t do the same either at tight end.