By Jordan Long
On Monday, the Baltimore Ravens won the Jeremy Maclin sweepstakes. The receiver agreed to a 2-year, $11 million contract with the team. This is in hopes of boosting the wide receiver core.
Jeremy Maclin was available after being cut by the Kansas City Chiefs on June 2nd. The Chiefs saved $10 million on the cap by letting Maclin go. This was a surprising move because Kansas City Chiefs’ quarterback Alex Smith trusted Maclin to catch the football and make defenders miss for big gains. He was the only veteran wide receiver on the team. By doing this, Kansas City allowed Maclin to become a free agent.
Maclin has been a productive wide receiver in the NFL. In his 7 year career he caught 769 passes for 6,395 yards. His average yards per catch is an impressive 13.5 yards and he has found the end zone 46 times. Teams were interested in him because of his body of work.
He narrowed down his choice to two teams, the Buffalo Bills or the Baltimore Ravens. Maclin decided that Baltimore is the best place to continue his NFL career. It is an excellent fit. The Ravens were looking for another veteran wide receiver to add to their receiving core. They have Breshad Perriman and Mike Wallace but after that it is weak.
Maclin heads to Baltimore and will be the other wide receiver opposite Mike Wallace, forcing Breshad Perriman to be the slot receiver. Maclin won’t have to be the number one option in the passing game like he was in Kansas City.
The Baltimore Ravens on paper are a more explosive passing team with this move. Joe Flacco has a deep threat to throw the football to. He must find Maclin early and often. If he tosses it up, Maclin will come down with the football. Those could be the difference between first downs and touchdowns. This was much needed help on offense. Hopefully Maclin will be able to deliver.
What do you think of Jeremy Maclin heading to Baltimore?
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