Baltimore Ravens 5 Burning Free Agency Questions
Jan 10, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; Baltimore Ravens tight end Owen Daniels (81) reaches for the ball in front of New England Patriots outside linebacker Jamie Collins (91) during the fourth quarter in the 2014 AFC Divisional playoff football game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Should the Ravens be concerned at tight end?
Owen Daniels is a free agent and Dennis Pitta has a serious hip injury. If neither return to the Baltimore Ravens for 2015, there will be a need at tight end.
The Ravens will be hoping to get Pitta back, although he has only featured in seven games over the past two seasons due to the problems with his hip. They will be desperate for him to be healthy and return; he signed a five-year, $32 million contract a year ago.
Ozzie Newsome: "We're in a wait-and-see with Dennis [Pitta]. We may not have any answers until we get into summer."
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) February 24, 2015
If neither return to Baltimore, the Ravens will need to look elsewhere for a replacement.
Julius Thomas and Jordan Cameron top the free agency class at the position, but we can safely assume they won’t be heading to Baltimore. The likelihood is the Ravens would need to look into the draft for a tight end.
Minnesota’s Maxx Williams is an intriguing option, as is Michigan’s Devin Funchess. Funchess performed at the NFL Combine as a receiver, but he has history at tight end and could feature in a hybrid role in the NFL. Later in the draft, they might find value in a guy like Penn State’s Jesse James.
Ideally for the Ravens, Pitta will return to full health and Daniels will sign a cap-friendly deal. Alternatively, they could hope to pair Pitta with a young prospect from the draft.
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