The NFL’s legal tampering period begins at noon on Monday. That means the Baltimore Ravens and the rest of the teams can begin contacting pending unrestricted free agents to negotiate. At the start of the legal tampering period, we often see deals agreed to in principle before agreements can become official.
With an estimated $29 million in available cap space, according to Over The Cap, the Ravens have a chance to get in on the early signings if they hit the tampering period hard. Here are four players Baltimore should talk to during the tampering period:
S Tyrann Mathieu:
The Ravens are in the market for a true free safety after cutting Eric Weddle. It’s a role they haven’t really had since Ed Reed, and it’s one that could seriously benefit the secondary if they find the right player this offseason.
Mathieu is one of the NFL’s bright spots at safety. He’s young (he’ll be 27 next season), has great ball skills and solid speed, and is well known for his tenacity — earning the nickname “Honey Badger” because of it. In six seasons, Mathieu has 13 interceptions for 139 yards and a touchdown return, with 49 passes defensed, two fumble recoveries, seven sacks and 394 combined tackles.
Mathieu is everything the Ravens would be looking for in a safety, but the Ravens will have to act fast to have a real shot at signing him.
C Matt Paradis:
Having Matt Skura at center wasn’t the worst thing in the world, but it’s a position the Ravens will really want to upgrade. They’ll get the chance with the Denver Broncos allowing Paradis — one of the best centers in the league — to hit free agency.
Paradis only played in nine games last season before suffering a broken leg but should be healthy for the start of the 2019 season. However, there’s no question he’d be an upgrade over Skura at center.
Paradis is great at run blocking, pass protection and just about everything the Ravens would ask him to do. He’ll significantly upgrade the offensive line, which is needed with Baltimore expected to go in a run-heavy scheme next season.
OLB Preston Smith:
With Za’Darius Smith and Terrell Suggs set to hit unrestricted free agency, Baltimore needs to find a solid outside linebacker to add back to the roster. They’ll find that in Smith, who has done a little bit of everything for the Washington Redskins after being selected in the second round of the 2015 NFL draft.
In four seasons, Smith has four interceptions, 13 passes defensed, four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries (including a touchdown return) 24.5 sacks and 164 combined tackles. Smith had eight sacks in 2015 and again in 2017, proving he’s a capable pass rusher, which is what the Ravens would really need if both Smith and Suggs leave.
But as is always the case for pass rushers, teams are going to be lining up for Smith. If Baltimore is set to move on from Suggs and Za’Darius Smith, they’ll have to act fast in the legal tampering period to be in the running for Preston Smith.
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