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Ebony Bird

Back-up quarterback options for Ravens with Joe Flacco trade

By Richard Bradshaw

CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 30: Tyrod Taylor #2 of the Baltimore Ravens runs the football upfield during the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on December 30, 2012 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by John Grieshop/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 30: Tyrod Taylor #2 of the Baltimore Ravens runs the football upfield during the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on December 30, 2012 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by John Grieshop/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MD – AUGUST 15: Quarterback Tyrod Taylor #2 of the Baltimore Ravens throws a pass during the second half of a preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons at M&T Bank Stadium on August 15, 2013 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – AUGUST 15: Quarterback Tyrod Taylor #2 of the Baltimore Ravens throws a pass during the second half of a preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons at M&T Bank Stadium on August 15, 2013 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Tyrod Taylor:

The man who Ravens Flock wanted back in Baltimore after Joe Flacco struggled in 2013. Hindsight is always 20/20, isn’t it guys? Besides this, Tyrod Taylor has proven to be a safe, high-floor kind of player before having an unsuccessful stint in Cleveland. Now, Taylor is a free agent and could perhaps return to Baltimore for perhaps his final stint in the NFL.

Similarly to Robert Griffin III, Taylor would give the Ravens a suitable veteran for Lamar Jackson to develop under. Taylor was never a dynamic thrower, but he balanced his passing extremely well with his mobility and athleticism. Taylor was a very good runner in his stint with Buffalo, scoring 14 touchdowns in three years with the Bills.

However, Taylor was a smart passer and tossed 52 touchdowns to 16 interceptions in three seasons. Taylor’s passer rating was always above 89.0 and his YPA was never lower than 6.7. Are these dynamic stats? No, but this is a fantastic transition for Jackson to begin making. The way Taylor was able to be a safe passer while also challenging teams with his legs is exactly what the Ravens would like to season from Jackson in year two.

The best part about all of this is that Taylor’s ceiling should be Jackson’s floor. The best season Taylor put up was in 2015, which earned him his only Pro Bowl nod. Those numbers are more than attainable for someone with Jackson’s talent. Taylor should have no problem being the mentor that Jackson needs, and signing Taylor back to Baltimore could see the team reap the benefits in a massive way.

Next. Joe Flacco: 5 biggest accomplishments with the Baltimore Ravens. dark

Right now, the Baltimore Ravens don’t own any sort of backup quarterback behind the franchise, Lamar Jackson. Adding any one of these three, or in the case of Robert Griffin III retaining him, would be a boon for this offense and for Jackson’s progression in year two in the pros.

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