Ravens sign Michael Crabtree: 3 big things to think about

2. Why this signing is so huge:

This signing seems like one of the biggest free agency additions in franchise history. Obviously, we have to wait to see what kind of dividends this will produce for the Ravens, but this one feels big. The idea was floating around that the Ravens weren’t an ideal landing spot for free agents. Crabtree came to town and he didn’t leave until he scored a deal with the Ravens. The very fact that the Ravens got the first crack at signing him, showed that Crabtree was interested in becoming a Raven before the coaxing even started. This is a win for the organization on that front.

The Ravens would be nowhere this offseason without this move. Ryan Grant didn’t pass his physical. Without Crabtree, the Ravens free agent haul would be a small one. John Brown could have a bounce back year in Baltimore, but that’s an if more than a certainty. Even in the event that Brown has a career year in 2018, he isn’t a number one wide receiver. The main objective this offseason was to get better on offense. The most glaring need on offense was the wide receiver position. The free agency market was insane for receivers and it didn’t go the Ravens way at first. The Ravens got Crabtree on a steal and looking back at it, he was the best possible outcome of the Ravens free agency efforts.

The old saying goes “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” That’s the case here. Crabtree was cut by the Raiders. The Raiders wooed Jordy Nelson and said goodbye to Crabtree. While the Ravens would have loved to have either player, this certainly worked out for them. This also gives the fans something. The fanbase was getting desperate and insanely frustrated. This adds to the big win that this signing is for the franchise.