Tag: Eric Tomlinson

Ravens activate TE Nick Boyle from PUP, cutting veteran TE Eric Tomlinson

The Ravens activated tight end Nick Boyle off of the PUP list while cutting another tight end in Eric Tomlinson

For a while, the Baltimore Ravens have been trying to figure out how their tight end position will look in Week 1 of the 2021 season. Mark Andrews is going nowhere as the team’s No. 1 tight end, but outside of him there have been a bunch of questions including when will Nick Boyle return from his season-ending injury he suffered in 2020, who will be Baltimore’s third tight end and more.

After head coach John Harbaugh said that that Boyle still isn’t ready to play, the team activated him off of the physically unable to perform list, signaling that they will either put him on injured reserve or that he’s close enough to playing where he doesn’t need to miss six weeks.

It was also reported that the Ravens were cutting tight end Eric Tomlinson.

Despite parting ways with the veteran, Tomlinson could return if Boyle is unable to play for the first few weeks of 2021, especially if Baltimore puts their star blocking tight end on injured reserve. Perhaps there is already a deal in place where after the Ravens bring back Tomlinson after Boyle is moved to injured reserve.

Tomlinson was signed after Boyle went down during the 2020 season, and performed well as primarily a blocking tight end. He filled Boyle’s role, which is exactly what they needed at the time.

Nick Boyle reportedly had recent ‘cleanup’ knee surgery, timeline to return unclear

Nick Boyle reportedly had recent ‘cleanup’ knee surgery, timeline to return unclear

The Baltimore Ravens certainly felt the absence of tight end Nick Boyle once he suffered a gruesome season-ending leg injury in their Week 10 loss to the New England Patriots. He is one of the best blocking tight ends in the NFL who is a great system fit for what Baltimore does on offense.

Many are anticipating Boyle’s return to the football field. The veteran was recently placed on the Active/PUP list, but that didn’t come as much of a surprise, especially considering the nature of his injury. However, it was reported on Tuesday that Boyle recently had “knee cleanup surgery”, which makes his timetable to return a bit cloudy.

If the recent surgery keeps Boyle out into the regular season, the Ravens have plenty of options to hold down the fort until he returns such as Josh Oliver, Eric Tomlinson and more. It’s of the utmost importance to make sure that Boyle is 100% healthy before returning to the field, and it seems like Baltimore is being cautious with not only Boyle, but the rest of their injured players as well.

It’s better for the tight end to miss a few weeks now and get back to full strength as opposed to pushing things and getting injured early in the season. Even though many want to see Boyle back in uniform as soon as possible he’ll be out there soon enough, and when he is, the Raves will have made sure he’s healthy and ready to go.

John Harbaugh ‘not too worried’ about Ravens’ tight end situation

The Baltimore Ravens have plenty of talent at the tight end position. John Harbaugh is excited about getting guys from the position in pads

The Baltimore Ravens have one of the best tight ends in the league in Mark Andrews. They also boast tight end Nick Boyle, who has developed into one of the best blocking tight ends in football. However, the team has plenty of other young talent at the position that will be competing for a roster spot for the upcoming 2021 season.

When asked about how the young tight ends currently on the team look so far such as Eli Wolf and Josh Oliver, head coach John Harbaugh had glowing things to say, and seemed excited to see how the battle at the position will play out over the course of the next few weeks.

“…Those are guys are flashing. They look really athletic. Let’s not forget Tony Poljan from Virginia there. You saw him make some catches today. He’s probably more of a guy that’s going to show up even more when the pads come on. So, I think all those guys have done exceptionally well. I cannot wait to see them again in pads and, like we said, play out, in terms of who plays the best in those situations. So, I’m not too worried about our tight end situation; they look good out there so far.”

Harbaugh singled out undrafted rookie Tony Poljan as a name he’s excited to see in pads, but players like Wolf, Oliver, Jacob Breeland, and even Eric Tomlinson could make some noise as they battle for the No. 3 tight end spot. Baltimore didn’t use three tight ends in 2020 nearly as much as they did in 2019, where it was a big part of their offense.

It feels like the team is gearing up to use three tight end sets to their advantage during the 2021 season. Putting multiple tight ends on the field at the same time can force defenses to put heavier personnel in, which can help the passing game, especially on play-action throws. The Ravens currently have a plethora of talent at tight end, and might have to make some tough decisions as they decide who will make the final 53-man roster.

Veteran tight end reportedly works out for Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens reportedly brought in veteran tight end Charles Clay for a visit late this week

The Baltimore Ravens have one of the best tight end duos in the entire NFL with Mark Andrews and Nick Boyle. However, the team might want to add another veteran playmaker at the position, as they’re looking at more options.

Adam Caplan of SiriusXM and Fox Sports Radio reported that Baltimore brought in veteran tight end Charles Clay for a visit late this week.

Clay has played for nine seasons in the NFL, last playing in 2019.  He’s accumulated 357 receptions for 3,868 yards and 24 touchdowns during his career. Clay is a versatile player, and can play in a H-back role, much like former Raven Kyle Juszczyk and fifth-round pick Ben Mason. If Baltimore believes that Clay could add another dimension to their offense, they could bring him into training camp and see if he can carve out a role for himself on the Ravens’ final 53-man roster.

The Ravens currently have a lot of other tight ends vying for a roster spot, including Josh Oliver, Eric Tomlinson, Jacob Breeland and Eli Wolf. Clay would compete with those players and others if signed by Baltimore.

Ravens reportedly bring in veteran tight end for visit

The Baltimore Ravens reportedly brought in tight end MyCole Pruitt for a visit this week. He would provide another option at the position

The Baltimore Ravens have felt the void that Hayden Hurst left after being traded to the Atlanta Falcons. He wanted a bigger role, and with Mark Andrews turning into one of the best tight ends in the NFL, Hurst wanted a chance to shine on his own.

Baltimore used three tight end sets a relatively high amount in 2019 with Andrews, Hurst, and Nick Boyle. While Andrews and Boyle still remain with the team, the Ravens have tried a plethora of options to try to replace Hurst, including Patrick Ricard, Eric Tomlinson, Luke Willson and more. Now it seems that they’re looking at another veteran tight end, as Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reported that Baltimore brought in MyCole Pruitt for a visit earlier in the week.

Pruitt has spent time with four teams over the course of his seven year career. In total, he’s caught 32 passes for 343 yards and four touchdowns. Pruitt is athletic and has good receiving skills as well as having the ability to be a good blocker, and could fill a role if signed by the Ravens.

Aside from Andrews and Boyle, Baltimore currently has tight ends such as Tomlinson, Josh Oliver, Jacob Breeland, Eli Wolf, Ben Mason, and others on their roster. If Pruitt is added to that mix, it would add to a crowded tight end room, but would increase competition and bring the best out of every player fighting for a roster spot.

With extremely deep offense, Ravens might have to make some difficult decisions

The Baltimore Ravens brought in plenty of playmakers to round out their offense. However, they could have to make some tough decisions

The Baltimore Ravens have always been a team that values depth at as many positions as possible. Having so much depth is a good problem to have, but sometimes it can create roster crunches that turn into tough decisions.

In 2021, Baltimore might have put together one of the deepest rosters they’ve ever had. The team only has a few minor needs, and even those don’t necessarily have to be addressed, as the players already on the roster can make those holes seem smaller than they actually are if they perform at a high level.

On the offensive side of the ball in particular, the Ravens made sure to add plenty of talented playmakers that can not only play at a high level, but also fit their style of play. Both the additions and the players already on the roster have bought into Baltimore’s style of offense, which is extremely important.

When looking at how deep each position on the offense actually is, one would be hard pressed to find any huge weaknesses. The team has three quality young quarterbacks, including a star in Lamar Jackson. They have three great young running backs as well that compliment each other while also bringing something different to the table than the other two.

Where the offseason additions begin to be seen is at the wide receiver position, where the team added Sammy Watkins, Rashod Bateman, and Tylan Wallace to compliment players such as Marquise Brown and Devin Duvernay. At tight end, the team has a plethora of options behind Mark Andrews and Nick Boyle, and the offensive line saw a boost with the acquisitions of Kevin Zeitler, Alejandro Villanueva and Ben Cleveland, as they’ll team up with Ronnie Stanley, Bradley Bozeman and others.

Having all of that depth is a good thing for the Ravens, but once it’s time for the team to trim their roster to 53 players, it could result in a few difficult roster decisions for Baltimore. At quarterback, the team might have to choose between Tyler Huntley and Trace McSorley if they need an extra roster space. Wide receivers Miles Boykin and James Proche seem like they’re going to be fighting over one roster spot. At tight end, there are a plethora of options who could try to secure the third tight end spot in Jacob Breeland, Eli Wolf, Eric Tomlinson, Josh Oliver, and others. Even on the offensive line, there will be training camp battles to determine multiple positions, and players like Ben Bredeson, Ben Powers, Tyre Phillips and more will have their hands full competing for both starting spots and roster spots.

Overall, the Ravens will go into the 2021 season with a well-rounded roster that can sustain good play even in the event of injuries. However, the team will most likely have to let some talented players go once it’s time to cut their roster down for the regular season.

 

Ravens Draft Prospect Profile: Brevin Jordan

The Baltimore Ravens missed using three tight end sets in 2020. Could the Ravens target Brevin Jordan?

The Baltimore Ravens value tight ends more than most of the NFL. Their three tight end sets using Mark Andrews, Hayden Hurst, and Nick Boyle took the league by storm in 2019, helping Baltimore put up historic rushing numbers. However, the team traded Hurst during the 2020 offseason, leaving a huge hole in their offense.

One player who could help the Ravens get back to their style of putting three tight ends on the field is University of Miami tight end Brevin Jordan. The 6-foot-3, 245 pound tight end enjoyed solid production as a Hurricane, putting up 105 receptions for 1,358 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Despite his great receiving numbers, he’s also a good blocker who would give Baltimore an all-around player who would fill in nicely next to Andrews and Boyle. His skill set would be perfect to fill a role like Hurst had for the Ravens, and he can be utilized all over the field in a variety of different ways.

Jordan is a monster in the open field, and was utilized on screens a lot in college. If Baltimore could scheme up plays to maximize his ability in space, it would make the Ravens’ offense even more of a nightmare to defend against.

It’s no secret that Baltimore missed using three tight ends in 2020. Despite having some other options on their roster such as Jacob Breeland, Eli Wolf, Josh Oliver and Eric Tomlinson, having a player like Jordan to pair with Andrews and Boyle would help the Ravens open up both their running game and their passing game even more.

Ravens trade with Jaguars for TE Josh Oliver

The Baltimore Ravens are parting ways with a conditional seventh-round pick in the 2022 NFL draft for Jacksonville Jaguars TE Josh Oliver

Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh hinted this offseason could include the acquisition of a big tight end. While the Ravens didn’t grab a big name, they added some serious talent to the depth chart. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Baltimore traded with the Jacksonville Jaguars for tight end Josh Oliver.

Per Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic, the Ravens are parting ways with a conditional seventh-round selection in the 2022 NFL draft. The condition is that Oliver makes the team this season. It could be a steal, getting a talented former third-round pick for very little but that’s not a guarantee considering Oliver’s injury history.

Over his two years in the league, Oliver has played in just four games, heading to injured reserve in each season. He’s caught just three passes for 15 yards and no touchdowns. But if Oliver can stay healthy, he’s a promising young tight end that could flourish in Baltimore’s system. With Mark Andrews and Nick Boyle already cemented into their spots on the roster, Oliver will likely compete for the third tight end job with Eric Tomlinson.

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Report: Ravens signing TE Eric Tomlinson to 1-year contract

The Baltimore Ravens are expanding their tight end corps, bringing back Eric Tomlinson on a one-year contract

In case you didn’t already know this, the Baltimore Ravens love to utilize tight ends in their offensive scheme. Whether it’s as an in-line blocker or split out wide as a receiving option, the Ravens’ offense is built upon the tight end. To help bolster the unit, Baltimore is bringing back Eric Tomlinson.

According to ESPN’s Field Yates, the Ravens are signing Tomlinson to a one-year contract worth $1.015 million. Though, it won’t cost Baltimore that much against the cap, qualifying for the veteran salary benefit, knocking the cap hit down to just $875,000.

The deal will give the Ravens another experienced tight end on the roster, something they were in desperate need of during the season when Nick Boyle went down with a season-ending knee injury. In Boyle’s stead, Tomlinson performed relatively well as a blocker, which helped the offense find its groove again toward the end of the regular season. Though Tomlinson played a total of 123 offensive snaps over six games with Baltimore in 2020, he was one of the top players on our free-agent priority list this offseason.

While this isn’t a blockbuster deal by any means, it is needed. Behind Mark Andrews, the Ravens are pretty thin at the position. They traded Hayden Hurst to the Atlanta Falcons last offseason, leaving the team with just Andrews and Boyle. But when Boyle went down, the offense struggled mightily. Though Baltimore signed tight end Eli Wolf to a futures contract this offseason and he’s a promising prospect, he has no experience in the NFL and is more of a developmental option at the position.

Tomlinson’s signing doesn’t preclude the Ravens from adding another tight end to the roster this offseason. With the importance of the position in Baltimore’s offense, don’t be shocked if they look to free agency or the 2021 NFL draft to add even more talent and potentially find a long-term option in case they can’t re-sign Andrews next year.

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Ravens pending free agents priority list: Who should Baltimore call first?

In total, Baltimore has 24 pending free agents they’ll have to discuss.

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The Baltimore Ravens played their final game of the season and have made a clear transition into the offseason. Coach John Harbaugh and general manager Eric DeCosta have held their annual season-ending press conferences and some initial roster moves have been completed. But as the Ravens begin the offseason, the very top of their to-do list involves figuring out their own roster and pending free agents.

In total, Baltimore has 24 pending free agents they’ll have to discuss. Who should be brought back and at what cost? Those are the questions only the front office can truly answer as they measure production (both current and potential) against what it’ll likely cost to re-sign them and try to fit it all into a very tight salary cap situation.

But with our general manager hats on, we here at Ravens Wire wanted to take a closer look at who we’d be calling if we were in control. Four of us independently ranked our free-agent priorities — not based on expectations of cost or who we felt would return — but on who we’d be most eager to start negotiations with.

Take a look below to see how we ranked the Ravens’ free-agent priorities and a quick analysis of why we placed them in their respective positions.