The Baltimore Ravens are attacking the second wave of free agency ahead of OTAs. The Ravens are set to add Michael Floyd in free agency to help bolster what is already a significantly upgraded wide receiver corps from recent years.
However, some fans might be left scratching their heads with this move. Baltimore had just selected two more wide receivers in the first three rounds of the 2019 NFL draft, adding to the two they grabbed on Day 3 of the 2018 draft. They had signed Seth Roberts this offseason and already had Willie Snead and Chris Moore. Where does Floyd fit in?
Even with all the Ravens’ additions at wide receiver, they didn’t really have a strong-handed possession receiver. There could be a case made Snead was the closest thing but he had a number of big drops last season and has had his production suddenly slip while with the New Orleans Saints. Snead also primarily plays from the slot and with the release of Michael Crabtree, Baltimore didn’t have anyone capable of doing that outside the numbers.
While Floyd has been a disappointment as a former first-round pick in the 2012 NFL draft, he fits that possession receiver role well. In seven years and 497 targets, Floyd has just 28 drops — never surpassing five in a season. At 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds, Floyd has the frame to handle taking hits in order to move the chains as well.
This is actually a move I had expected from Baltimore. An outside possession receiver had been on my list of the Ravens’ biggest needs following the 2019 draft. While Floyd has no guarantee of making the final 53-man roster, he gives Baltimore something they lacked and a much more fierce competition in training camp.
Though we don’t know the finances of the deal, it’s likely just a one-year “prove-it” contract if his last deal with the Washington Redskins is the benchmark. That should give the Ravens the flexibility to cut him if he doesn’t work out without taking on any massive dead money. It’s a low-risk/high-reward move that should make the team better simply by making the competition harder for those that make the cut.
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