With news breaking of stalled contract negotiations, Miami’s Jarvis Landry could be Ozzie Newsome’s premier target come free agency
It came out yesterday that the Ravens tried to trade for Miami wide receiver Jarvis Landry. It was reported that the asking price was just too high for Ozzie Newsome’s liking. Now it looks like Landry will be playing in a different city, wearing a different uniform come week one in September. The contract talks have left Landry perturbed and left feeling disrespected by the organization. These negotiations just don’t seem like they’re going to smooth over with time.
This is where General Manager Ozzie Newsome swoops in and signs a wide receiver in free agency like he has in the past. It’s also where he wiggles himself out of focusing primarily on offense on the first two days of the draft. Particularly the skilled positions. The last time something of this nature happened was in 2014. The Ravens signed future Hall Of Famer Steve Smith, then with their first three picks drafted all defensive players. Two of which aren’t on the team anymore.
Jarvis Landry should be one of the front office’s many plans in fixing the offense. Not just the only one.
My pessimistic, glass half empty self, saw the bad side of this news hitting headlines. While I would love to see a receiver like Landry wearing purple and black, I can see Ozzie Newsome drafting all defensive prospects on day one and two. Shrugging his shoulders and telling us the offense is all fixed after signing one guy. And quite frankly, one guy isn’t going to fix everything.
Related Story: Ravens tried to trade for Jarvis Landry
Since being the GM of the Ravens, Ozzie Newsome has never quite figured out how to draft a big-name college prospect at the wide receiver position. It’s not a big secret. It’s a fault that Raven fans have grown soundly frustrated with, especially the guys he’s just blatantly passed on. Fans of the Ravens organization have gone on to see a quite the number of guys be stars, in other cities. Looking at this draft class Ozzie and the front office don’t have any excuse for not hitting on one, if not two wide receivers come April. A look at a handful names you should look to hear:
- Calvin Ridley– Alabama- 6-1, 190lbs, 63 receptions, 967 yards, 5 TDs
- Courtland Sutton– SMU- 215lbs, 68 receptions, 1085 yards, 12 TDs
- Christian Kirk-Texas A&M- 5’11, 200lbs, 71 receptions, 919 yards, 10 TDs
- DJ Moore-Maryland- 5’11, 215lbs, 80 receptions, 1033 yards, 8 TDs
- James Washington– Oklahoma State- 6’0, 205lbs, 74 receptions, 1,549 yards, 13 TDs
- Michael Gallup– Colorado State- 6’1, 200lbs, 100 receptions, 1,418 yards 7TDs
- Marcell Ateman– Oklahoma State- 6’4, 220lbs, 59 receptions, 1,156 yards, 8 TDs
- Auden Tate-Florida State- 6’5, 225lbs, 40 receptions, 548 yards, 10TDs
Addressing another skilled position
Drafting a wide receiver or two should be essential this offseason, but, drafting a big play tight end should also be at the top of the to do list. Coming into the 2017 season it was something they had to many of. In 2018 it’s a draft need that has crept up on them rather quickly. Benjamin Watson is a free agent and is 37 years old. Darren Waller is coming off a year suspension and Maxx Williams, quite frankly has been an utter disappointment since being drafted. But, luckily there are a few prospects that could help this offense.
- Mark Andrews-Oklahoma, 6-5, 254lbs, 62 receptions, 958 yards, 8TDs
- Mike Gesicki- Penn State, 6’6, 257lbs, 57 receptions, 563 yards, 9TDs
- Dallas Goedert– South Dakota State, 6’4, 260lbs, 72 receptions, 1,111 yards, 7 TDs
- Hayden Hurst– South Carolina, 6’5, 250lbs, 44 receptions, 559 yards, 2 TDs
- Troy Fumagilli– Wisconsin, 6’6, 248lbs, 46 receptions, 547 yards, 4 TDs
The bottom line
There are guys in each round from round one to round three and four that they can hit on and draft at both of these positions. While Landry will most definitely will assist quarterback Joe Flacco if they sign him, bringing in two or three of the young guys listed above would give him targets he’s never had.
Next: 3 reasons the Ravens must go after Jarvis Landry
Jarvis Landry is a move just about every fan would want to occur, I just don’t want to see the front office sign Landry, get complacent and ignore drafting skilled positions come April. It’s a move many Raven fans wouldn’t be surprised by with Ozzie Newsome still holding the keys to the kingdom. 2018 needs to bring Joe Flacco something to work with.