Ravens’ targets land with other teams
Eagles trade Smith to Carolina; Dolphins send Landry to Cleveland
There was a much-discussed scenario in recent weeks that Torrey Smith would be released by the Philadelphia Eagles and then be in position to return to the wide receiver-needy Ravens as a free agent.
As it turns out, Smith won’t be part of the Eagles as they defend their Super Bowl championship in 2018, but he isn’t returning to the Ravens either.
According to multiple reports, the Eagles have agreed to trade Smith to the Carolina Panthers for cornerback Daryl Worley. Trades can’t be officially made until the new league year starts on Wednesday.
Smith’s departure from the Eagles was expected as he carried a $5 million salary cap hit in 2018. Philadelphia has among the least amount of cap space in the league and they’ve had to make moves to gain some flexibility.
In his one season with the Eagles, Smith caught 36 passes for 430 yards and two touchdown receptions. He was at his best in the playoffs for the Eagles.
Now 29, Smith will be joining his third team in four seasons since leaving the Ravens in free agency following the 2014 season. He played two disappointing years with the San Francisco 49ers before he was released and joined the Eagles last offseason.
Smith spoke to the Ravens about a potential return last year, but he said in an interview with The Baltimore Sun last month that the timing was right to sign with the Eagles. Landry traded to Browns: espite reports that suggested otherwise, the Ravens considered themselves a long shot to land Miami Dolphins receiver Jarvis Landry.
They had interest in the prolific slot receiver, but only on their terms. They were reluctant to give up quality draft picks to the Dolphins to acquire him and their tight salary cap situation left them hamstrung to match Landry’s reported contract demands.
The Ravens learned Friday that they not only won’t be getting Landry but they’ll have to face him twice a season.
The Dolphins have reportedly agreed to deal Landry to the Cleveland Browns for two undisclosed draft picks: one in 2018 and one in 2019. Landry and the Browns are also reportedly working on a contract extension.
Trades can’t officially be announced until the new league year begins Wednesday .
With Landry no longer an option, the top two pending free-agent receivers are Allen Robinson and Sammy Watkins. Second-tier options include Donte Moncrief, Marqise Lee, Paul Richardson and Jordan Matthews.
Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome has vowed to explore every avenue in overhauling the team’s receiving corps this offseason. Browns have agreed to acquire quarterback Tyrod Taylor from the Buffalo Bills in exchange for a third-round draft pick.
The teams came to terms on the deal Friday, said the people who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because NFL rules prohibit trades from being announced next week when free agency opens and the league's new calendar year begins. Cleveland is sending its first pick in the third round to Buffalo, the sources said.
The Browns were expected to target a quarterback in free agency but instead have landed the dynamic Taylor, who will likely take over as Cleveland starter. The Browns are still expected to take a quarterback with the No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft. Kizer to Packers: A person familiar with the trade says the Cleveland Browns have traded quarterback DeShone Kizer to the Green Bay Packers.
In exchange, the Browns are getting cornerback Damarious Randall.
The teams struck the deal on Friday, shortly after the Browns made two other major deals, said the person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because NFL teams are not permitted to announce deals until the new league calendar starts next week. Bucs give Evans extension: Tampa Bay's Mike Evans has agreed to a five-year, $82.5 million contract extension that makes him the second-highest paid receiver in the NFL.
The deal confirmed Friday includes $55 million guaranteed and also makes Evans the highest-paid player with the Buccaneers with an average annual salary of $16.5 million. That's second among NFL receivers behind Antonio Brown's $17 million.
Evans acknowledged the extension, which runs through 2023, in an Instagram post, noting he will be “spending the next several seasons in Tampa Bay” with a singular focus on helping the Bucs win a Super Bowl. Seahawks release Sherman: Seattle cut ties on Friday with star cornerback Richard Sherman, who became one of the NFL's premier cornerbacks during his seven seasons with the team.
The team informed Sherman early in the day he would be released, and he confirmed the decision in a text message to The Associated Press. The move appeared to be building after he met with the team Wednesday to discuss his future. Sherman declined to comment after the meeting.
He will be 30 years old going into next season and coming off an Achilles tendon injury that cost him half of the 2017 season. 49ers release Dumervil: The San Francisco 49ers will not pick up the contract option on pass rusher and former Raven Elvis Dumervil.
The team announced the move to part ways with the 34-year-old Dumervil on Friday. The 49ers also said they tendered a one-year contract to exclusive rights free agent running back Raheem Mostert and picked up the 2018 contract option for linebacker Dekoda Watson.
Dumervil led the 49ers with 61⁄ sacks.