The Ravens need to address the tight end position following the departure of Owen Daniels, but few appealing options exist on the open market and even in this year’s draft, making the release of Buffalo Bills veteran Scott Chandler something to monitor.
The 29-year-old is far from a superstar, but he caught 43 or more passes in each of his last three seasons in Buffalo and would likely command a price that’s suitable with general manager Ozzie Newsome’s limited amount of cap space to address multiple needs. The Bills cut the 2007 fourth-round pick Wednesday to clear more cap space for their full-court press to sign free-agent tight end Charles Clay, who received the transition tag from Miami before the start of free agency. Because Chandler was released, his signing would not count against the compensatory pick formula, which is typically a major plus for the Ravens.
In 2014, Chandler caught 47 passes for 497 yards and three touchdowns in 16 games. Daniels made 48 receptions for 527 yards and four touchdowns in 15 games for the Ravens this past season.
Chandler was scheduled to make $1.95 million in base salary in 2015. Considered a strong receiver, the 6-foot-7, 260-pound tight end is not regarded as a particularly strong blocker. If the Ravens need any help in recruiting him, Pro Bowl right guard Marshal Yanda was a teammate of Chandler’s at the University of Iowa and were part of the same draft class.
The Ravens’ top two healthy tight ends on their current offseason roster are 2014 third-round pick Crockett Gillmore and former practice-squad member Phillip Supernaw. The status of veteran Dennis Pitta remains in doubt for 2015 and beyond after he suffered two serious right hip injuries in a 14-month period.
Based on many pundits’ opinions, there aren’t a slew of talented tight ends in this year’s draft, making it clear that the Ravens should add a veteran to help replace Daniels’ production if they want to feel better about the position going into training camp.
Luke Jones
Luke Jones is the Ravens and Orioles beat reporter for WNST BaltimorePositive.com and is a PFWA member. His mind is consumed with useless sports knowledge, pro wrestling promos, and movie quotes, but he often forgets where he put his phone. Luke's favorite sports memories include being one of the thousands of kids who waited for Cal Ripken's autograph after Orioles games in the summer of 1995, attending the Super Bowl XXXV victory parade with his dad in the pouring rain, and watching the Terps advance to the Final Four at the Carrier Dome in 2002. Follow him on social media @BaltimoreLuke or email him at Luke@wnst.net.
8
Paid Advertisement
Podcast Audio Vault
88Paid Advertisement
Share the Post:
8Paid Advertisement
Right Now in Baltimore
The Ravens go on the clock with Pick 14 and then move to 'Super Bowl' time
The purple land of hopes and expectations begins on Thursday night with the NFL Draft. Luke Jones and Nestor get you ready for a myriad of draft possibilities and outcomes for Eric DeCosta and the Baltimore Ravens under rookie head coach Jesse Minter. We'll be picking and opining all weekend as spring hopes remain eternal in Owings Mills.
When will the frozen Orioles bats thaw this spring?
Sure, it's not the lineup that manager Craig Albernaz envisioned back in Sarasota in February but the Orioles need to figure out how to stop striking out and start hitting with runners in scoring position. Nestor Aparicio and Luke Jones discussed the Birds' struggles, including a five-game losing streak and scuffling through Kansas City waiting for the roster to get healthier and more productive.
Who can Orioles really count on to "pitch" in as innings add up?
Is there an "ace" in the starting rotation deck for the Baltimore Orioles? Sure, we all believed that Trevor Rogers and Kyle Bradish would make it look easy and that Shane Baz would pitch to his contract and Chris Bassitt would stabilize the staff and Zach Eflin...and then the season began. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss the Birds' pitching depth and scraping by on any win possible in Kansas City.
888Paid Advertisement
