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With Maxx Williams and Nick Boyle entering free agency in less than ten days, the Baltimore Ravens are interested in free agents now, rather than later. According to ESPN’s Josina Anderson, the Ravens are heavily interested in TE Dwayne Allen.
I'm told that the #Ravens, #Bills, #Dolphins & #Lions have preliminary interest in meeting with street free agent TE Dwayne Allen, who played last season with the #patriots, per source. Allen officially was listed on the league's transaction report today.#AndWereOff
— ig: josinaanderson (@JosinaAnderson) March 4, 2019
Hours later, Anderson reported the Ravens have already scheduled a visit for the Super Bowl LIII champion.
I'm told street free agent TE Dwayne Allen is scheduled to fly to Baltimore on Tuesday at this time, and then fly to Buffalo Tuesday night as of now, per source.
— ig: josinaanderson (@JosinaAnderson) March 5, 2019
It’s no surprise that the Ravens appreciate great tight end work. The team has rostered four or more for years now.
Two seasons ago, the New England Patriots traded a sixth-round pick to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for Allen. In those two years, Allen was strongly used as a blocking tight end. He wasn’t the primary tight end on the roster and because of this, his stats suffered. In the two years combined, Allen only caught 13 passes for 113 yards and one touchdown. In six postseason contests with the Patriots, the tight end was never targeted.
As mentioned previously, the former Colt and Patriot has become a strong blocking tight end, something the Ravens love. They also do enjoy veteran players helping mentor younger players.
This makes a ton of sense for the Ravens because a dominant blocking tight end like Allen is a crucial piece in their run-dominant offense and TE Nick Boyle could leave Baltimore as a free agent next week. https://t.co/Nf535GDxBh
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) March 5, 2019
Allen could be a smart addition to the team—at the right price. With such little cap space left, it will be tough to convince Allen to sign with the Ravens. Especially when his next visit after the Ravens is the Buffalo Bills, who possess $79 million in cap space.