Ravens Notes: Torrey Smith, Jacoby Jones, Draft, Ed Dickson

Torrey Smith

Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com writes that the Ravens could approach WR Torrey Smith regarding a contract extension during the offseason.

Smith, 24, will enter the final year of his rookie contract and is clearly the Ravens best player at position. In 2013, Smith caught a career high 65 receptions for 1,128 yards and four touchdowns.

The contracts handed out Greg Jennings and DeSean Jackson seem like decent comparisons for Smith to target should the Ravens in fact approach him regarding an extension.

• Greg Jennings: five-years, $45M total, $17.8M guaranteed, $9M annually
• DeSean Jackson:  five-years, $47M total, $15M guaranteed, $9.7M annually

The Ravens are still dealing with some cap issues, but there has been talk of restructuring some contracts and possibly releasing some veteran as well, so we’ll have to see what they elect to do.

Jacoby Jones

Jamison Hensley believes the Ravens will be faced with a tough decision regarding WR Jacoby Jones, who is set to be an unrestricted free agent in March.

Hensley mentions that although Jones is dangerous kick returner, “the Ravens can’t pay him a $4 million salary again for being a third-down receiver.”

Given the cap issues that we mentioned above and the fact that they will have to address some key free agents including TE Dennis Pitta, DT Arthur Jones, LT Eugene Monroe and ILB Daryl Smith, it’s hard to imagine Jones returning to Baltimore without accepting a limited salary.

Draft

Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome told reporters following the season that finding a wide receiver who is capable of picking up third downs is a priority for them this offseason.

Jamison Hensley mentions that Baltimore could go that route with their No. 1 overall pick and lists Texas A&M’s Mike Evans, USC’s Marqise Lee and Florida State’s Kelvin Benjamin as speculative options.

We have the Ravens taking Marqise Lee in our most recent 2014 NFL Mock Draft.

Ed Dickson

Matt Zenitz of the Carroll County Times writes that Ravens TE Ed Dickson “unlikely to be retained as an unrestricted free agent.”

Dickson is coming off an underwhelming season, despite the fact that Dennis Pitta was out for most of the season due to a hip injury. Dickson hasn’t developed into the kind of player the Ravens were hoping for and it appears as though Baltimore will look for an replacement in the coming months.

Zenitz lists Eric Ebron (UNC ), TE Jace Amaro (Texas Tech), Troy Niklas (Notre Dame), and Austin Seferian-Jenkins (Washington) as possible targeting for the Ravens in the draft.