Baltimore Ravens: 5 Big-name targets in 2018 NFL Free Agency

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CINCINNATI, OH – SEPTEMBER 14: Tyler Eifert #85 of the Cincinnati Bengals makes a catch defended by Marcus Gilchrist #21 of the Houston Texans during the second half at Paul Brown Stadium on September 14, 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by John Grieshop/Getty Images) /

1. Tyler Eifert, TE, Cincinnati Bengals

Back in 2010, Baltimore Ravens’ head honcho Ozzie Newsome invested two picks in the draft that year to tight ends Ed Dickson and Dennis Pitta. While the first was a steady but unspectacular performer, the latter would emerge as one of quarterback Joe Flacco’s key targets. During the club’s 2012 Super Bowl XLVII championship campaign, Pitta totaled 61 catches for 669 yards and seven touchdowns in the regular season. During the club’s four-game postseason run, he managed 14 receptions for 163 yards and three scores.

Unfortunately, injuries would become a major factor over the next three years. But in 2016, he launched a major comeback and it added up to 86 grabs for 729 yards and two touchdowns. But he averaged only 8.5 yards per reception and the injury bug would bite him once again. In 2017, veteran Benjamin Watson rebounded from a lost 2016 season by totaling a team-best 61 catches for 522 yards and four scores.

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So could Newsome take a chance on a player that had had problems staying on the field the past two years and hope he has a little comeback message as well? In 2013, the Cincinnati Bengals selected Notre Dame tight end Tyler Eifert in the first round. In 2015, he was a Pro Bowl player thanks to 52 receptions, 615 yards and 13 scores. But he’s also taken the field in only 10 contests the past two seasons. He would make for an intriguing addition.

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