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Baltimore Ravens: 5 Players to Move On From in 2019

By Matthew Deinlein

BALTIMORE, MD - OCTOBER 26: Cornerback Jimmy Smith #22 and free safety Eric Weddle #32 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrate after a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium on October 26, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - OCTOBER 26: Cornerback Jimmy Smith #22 and free safety Eric Weddle #32 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrate after a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium on October 26, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MD – OCTOBER 21: Tight End Mark Andrews #89 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates with tight end Nick Boyle #86 after scoring a touchdown in the third quarter against the New Orleans Saints at M&T Bank Stadium on October 21, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – OCTOBER 21: Tight End Mark Andrews #89 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates with tight end Nick Boyle #86 after scoring a touchdown in the third quarter against the New Orleans Saints at M&T Bank Stadium on October 21, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Nick Boyle, TE (2019 Age: 26)
The Ravens have their future at tight end with Mark Andrews and Hayden Hurst, but they could use one more young guy to round out the group. That player should be Maxx Williams, not Nick Boyle. Boyle has been on the decline ever since his strong start in the NFL, while Maxx Williams, the other free agent tight end, has been on the rise.

According to Pro Football Focus, Boyle drops an average of 5.4 points per season and Williams rises about 2.1 points a year on average. Boyle was once considered the best run blocking tight end on the team, but now Maxx Williams is blocking at the same level and Williams can also take carries as a fullback.

Boyle lacks the versatility that Williams has and is overshadowed in his receiving ability. Williams creates 2.21 yards per reception and Joe Flacco posts a 104.5 quarterback rating when targeting him. Boyle, on the other hand, creates only 1.48 yards per reception and Flacco suffers when throwing to him, posting a 50.9 quarterback rating.

Boyle and Williams would cost almost the same, likely around 2 million a year, and they might be able to squeeze Maxx in with Mosley’s contract, using the cap savings from releasing Eric Weddle and Brandon Carr. Speed kills in the NFL right now and Boyle just isn’t the type of tight end the Ravens should keep on the roster if they want to improve.

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