Eric Weddle, S: 4 years, $26 million

Grade: B

Weddle is getting on in age and isn’t quite the league’s best safety like he was a couple years ago. Still, he hasn’t majorly regressed either and was a bright spot in San Diego’s secondary last year.

The Ravens are buying high here to fill a need. I think that right now, Weddle is a bargain at a little over 6 million a year, but he won’t be for much longer. By the end of this contract he should be in full regression at age 35.

He’s a very smart, instinctive player so any loss in athleticism should be masked for awhile. Overall, this was a huge area of need for the Ravens and I see them getting at or near full value for this contract. It’s solid.

 

 

Ben Watson: 2 years, $8 million

Grade: C-

The Ravens are paying for Watson’s 2015 production in a Payton scheme with Brees throwing him the football.

Baltimore represents a downgrade in both scheme and quarterback play. Pair that with the natural regression the 35-year-old Watson is sure to have and you can start to see why I’m not crazy about this move.

However, Watson is still a good blocker and should provide some solid depth behind Crockett Gilmore and Maxx Williams.

He’s also a wonderful presence both on and off the field as a leader and humanitarian. It’s always smart to add a guy like that to a young locker room. They’re just paying too much of a premium for it for my taste.

 

 

Re-Sign Morgan Cox, LS: 5 years, 5.6 million, $700,000 guaranteed

Grade: B-

This is an interesting contract. You rarely see such a cheap long-term deal.

Cox didn’t have any particular issues as a long snapper for the Ravens in 2015, but he’s taking up a  roster spot without offering any positional versatility at all.

Because of this, I don’t love it.

 

 

Re-Sign Justin Tucker, K: 1 year, $4.5 million

Grade: B

Tucker is the rare kicker worth paying. He’s rock solid in just about any game situation and consistently hits at or near 85% of his field goals, season in and season out.

The Ravens would be wise to invest in him long-term.