Ravens News 2/6: Hollywood’s likely jump and more

2019 rookies most likely to make a big jump in 2020 - Ben Linsey

WR MARQUISE BROWN, BALTIMORE RAVENS

The fact is that Brown was already dangerous as a rookie at less than 100%. Over the course of the season, targeting Brown yielded almost exclusively positive results for Jackson, as Brown’s 134.4 passer rating when targeted led all wide receivers with 50 or more regular-season targets.

He also showed that the playoffs weren’t too big of a stage, as he made one of the more impressive catches of the year in the closing seconds of the first half against the Tennessee Titans.

Speed kills in the NFL, and Brown has speed to burn. He was ultra-productive in the high-powered Oklahoma offense in his two years there, averaging 9.5 yards after the catch per reception and generating a passer rating of 135.2 across 185 targets. When you add that to a promising rookie season at less than 100%, there’s no reason to believe that Brown can’t take a big step forward in 2020.

Paying the Great QB Should Never be a Problem - Jason Fitzgerald

1. QB Salaries Will Continue to Rise.

I would expect Mahomes to act as the “Rodgers block” on salaries whenever he signs his contract but just like with Rodgers a ton of players came close to the Rodgers number during that 2013 to 2016 timeframe. Lets say that Mahomes signs this February for $40 million. Slot in Prescott at $36M and Watson at $37. If Jameis Winston has a crazy year hell get in that range. Kirk Cousins is a free agent next year and maybe Cam Newton returns to form. By 2021 and 2022 the Jackson class is eligible and if Jackson continues as he did last year it’s a lock he’ll surpass Mahomes.

The point is the big QB contract is only going to be an issue if the QB contract is so much higher than the market that it puts significant pressure on your ability to re-sign other key members of the team or to target a free agent. $5 million a year isn’t really that.

It’s only a significant starting quality player if you are getting into the $10M+ per year excess salary department.

Offseason predictions for all 32 NFL teams: Gurley trade, QBs on move - Jamison Hensley

The Ravens will sign Calais Campbell in free agency.

Baltimore’s top priority is to upgrade its pass rush after recording a league-low nine sacks with its four-man rush. Campbell, an expected salary-cap cut in Jacksonville, has totaled 31.5 sacks over the past three seasons — seventh most in the NFL over that span (and just one fewer than Denver’s Von Miller). Even though he’s 33, Campbell has many of the traits the Ravens love: durability, versatility (can provide rush on the edge and interior) and strong leadership skills. While adding Jaguars pass-rusher Yannick Ngakoue would create a bigger splash, Campbell would represent bigger value for a defense looking to restock its front seven.

2020 NFL Mock Draft: Tua Tagovailoa falls to Chargers as five QBs go in top 15, Patriots add to defense - Chris Trapasso

Round 1 - Pick 28

Yetur Gross-Matos EDGE

PENN STATE • JR • 6’5” / 264 LBS

Gross-Matos is the perfect, oversized defensive lineman the Ravens love. He’s an ascending pass rusher too, thanks to an improving arsenal of moves at the point of attack and strength to set the edge.