The waiting game is over. After a week of visits with the Bills and Ravens, Jeremy Maclin joins the Baltimore Ravens in an effort to bolster the offense by giving Joe Flacco more talented pass catchers to work with. The former Chiefs receiver was cut June 5th due to cap room but a veteran receiver like Maclin was not going to last long in free agency.
The 29-year-old veteran receiver had back to back over 1,000-yard seasons and plus 80 catches with the Eagles (2014) and Chiefs (2015), via Pro Football Reference. According to Josina Anderson, Maclin decided between the Ravens and the Eagles, not the Bills. His familiarity with Marty Mornhinweg when he was part of the Philadelphia Eagles certainly could have helped the recruiting process. Maclin will be at OTAs Tuesday and already passed his physical during his visit. So far, the money involved in his contract has not been released.
With a trio of Jeremy Maclin, Mike Wallace, and Breshad Perriman; it gives the Ravens a nice threat on offense to help Flacco. Maclin has been the No. 1 and No. 2 wide receiver for teams so he can be a viable threat on the outside or slot position with his above average speed, hands, and route-running ability. But now reports are coming out that the Ravens are also in play for recently cut receiver Eric Decker from the New York Jets, according to Adam Schefter.
There were previous trade talks with the Ravens about Decker but he had no committal interest by teams taking on his contract when he was on the Jets. The 30-year old veteran receiver could be signed now for a lesser contract and be a possession receiver that would complement the speed on the offense. He was released Monday due to cap room but is available on the free agent market Tuesday. Decker also had three over 1,000-yard seasons and plus 80 catches with the Jets (2015) and Broncos twice (2012-2013), via Pro Football Reference.
While both are coming off injury prone seasons, when healthy they can both contribute and play a big role in the offense right away. Both veterans like Decker and Maclin available this late in the offseason is what Ozzie what hoping for would be available, due to not drafting a receiver in the 2017 NFL Draft back in April. If the Ravens end up with both of them, they could help the offense match the defensive firepower added in the 2017 offseason and the defensive added in the 2017 NFL Draft. Watch out, a breakout season for the Ravens is coming in the AFC North.