The Baltimore Ravens are starting to make moves to their roster ahead of free agency beginning in about three weeks. First, the Ravens signed cornerback Tavon Young to a contract extension. Baltimore has told wide receiver Michael Crabtree he’s going to be released today.
Crabtree was one of the top salary cap casualties we predicted at the end of the 2018 season. He was a disappointment for the Ravens last season. Expected to come in as a clutch red zone option and possession receiver, Crabtree dropped 11 passes last season. Considering tht Baltimore renovated its wide receiver corps last offseason — in large part because of drops in 2017 — Crabtree wasn’t expected to stay on beyond the first year of his three-year deal.
Crabtree played all 16 games for the Ravens in 2018, catching 54 of his 100 targets for 607 yards and three touchdowns. His yardage and touchdown totals were his lowest since his rookie year — not counting 2013, when injuries limited him to five games.
The move saves the Ravens $4.67 million against the 2019 NFL salary cap. With fellow wide receiver John Brown set to hit free agency, this will mark the second time in two seasons Baltimore has had a dramatic makeover on their wide receiver corps. If Brown departs, it would leave Willie Snead IV as the only proven wide receiver on the roster.
