NFLPA: Ravens now have $18.5 million in cap space

The Baltimore Ravens, for the second consecutive offseason, have been quite busy in the early stages of free agency. So far, Baltimore was able to bring back Brent Urban and James Hurst, while letting Danny Woodhead, Jeremy Maclin, Lardarius Webb, and Austin Howard go. The team then reached agreements with wide receivers John Brown and Ryan Grant a few days ago.

On Thursday, while the Brown signing became official, Grant’s deal fell through. Grant failed his physical due to an ankle injury he suffered during the Washington Redskins season finale. Grant’s 4-year, $29 million contract was not consummated. Earlier in the day, the Ravens restructured Brandon Williams’ contract, gaining an extra $5.6 million in 2018 cap space.

Grant’s failed physical, adding up with the upcoming visit of recently released wide receiver Michael Crabtree on Friday, has caused conspiracy theorists to speculate that Baltimore intentionally failed Grant’s physical to get to Crabtree. The Ravens will surely be asked about it, but nevertheless, the team has gained a good amount of cap space.

The NFLPA salary cap report, via the Baltimore Sun’s Jeff Zrebiec, says the team now has $18.5 million in cap space. It’s worth noting that Zrebiec later mentions this figure likely does not include the Brown signing, which is a 1-year, $5 million deal.

Newsome will look to spend some of that extra cap space immediately, as Crabtree visits on Friday. While the Grant situation makes you feel bad for him, when it comes to proven track record, Crabtree has the advantage as a top flight receiver. Baltimore can also use this newfound cap space for other needs on the team such as tight end, or even get an extension done with inside linebacker C.J. Mosley. A long term pact with Mosley would not only lock up a key player on the team, but probably create even more cap space. Ozzie Newsome has more options now to improve the Ravens roster.