Baltimore's utility man is staying in Charm City.
The Ravens have agreed to a three-year deal with fullback Patrick Ricard, the team announced Monday. Ricard's new deal is expected to keep him as the second-highest-paid fullback in the NFL behind only San Francisco's Kyle Juszczyk, per NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport.
Ricard has filled whatever role has been asked of him during his five seasons in Baltimore. He's never caught more than nine passes in a season, and he's recorded a mere three rushing attempts in his career, but in that same span, he's proven to be a highly valuable blocker who has been key to the Ravens' success on the ground since the arrival of quarterback Lamar Jackson in 2018.
He's also gone above and beyond the call of football duty, becoming a two-way ironman of old in his first three seasons by filling the role of both fullback and a rotational defensive tackle, playing a single-season high of 140 defensive snaps in 2019. Ricard mans an important special teams role as well, standing out as one of the rare players to play a part in all three phases of a team's game.
His efforts have not gone unnoticed. Though fullback is a thankless job and Juszczyk is essentially the lone fullback to see more than roughly a dozen targets in a season, the Ravens have found a way to target Ricard for a touchdown at least once in four of his five professional seasons. He's also earned three straight Pro Bowl appearances.
Ricard was already making the second-most money among all fullbacks in terms of annual average salary, but it's fair to expect his new deal to move him closer to that of Juszczyk. Either way, it's good living for the former undrafted defensive tackle from Maine.
Roster moves
- The Atlanta Falcons are expected to sign former Giants pass rusher Lorenzo Carter to a one-year deal, Rapoport reported. The Falcons later agreed to a two-year contract with quarterback Marcus Mariota as a potential replacement for Matt Ryan.
- The Buffalo Bills signed backup quarterback Matt Barkley to a one-year deal. Barkley spent three seasons in Buffalo from 2018 to 2020, but spent the 2021 campaign with Tennessee, Carolina and Atlanta. The Bills also are adding veteran running back Duke Johnson after missing out on J.D. McKissic, per NFL Network's Mike Giardi. McKissic agreed to a deal with Buffalo last week, but eventually decided to return to the Washington Commanders. Buffalo is signing former Jets wide receiver Jamison Crowder to a one-year deal worth up to $4 million, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported. Crowder should fill in nicely a spot in the receiving corps left vacant by the release of Cole Beasley.
- The Cincinnati Bengals released cornerback Trae Waynes, who was due $11 million non-guaranteed this year. The team also announced it has re-signed wide receiver Trenton Irwin to a one-year deal.
- Dallas Cowboys tight end Dalton Schultz signed his franchise tag tender Monday, per the transaction write.
- The Detroit Lions agreed to terms with former Ravens linebacker Chris Board on a one-year deal, per NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.
- The Green Bay Packers announced Monday they have re-signed tight end Robert Tonyan.
- The Houston Texans announced the official signings of offensive lineman Justin Britt and defensive back Desmond King.
- The Jacksonville Jaguars re-signed receiver Laquon Treadwell and signed kicker Ryan Santoso.
- The Las Vegas Raiders announced they signed quarterback Garrett Gilbert and offensive tackle Brandon Parker. Parker started 13 games for the team last season. The team is also signing former Rams and Broncos linebacker Micah Kiser, Rapoport reported per Kiser's agent, and linebacker Kyler Fackrell, the team announced. Las Vegas agreed to terms on a one-year deal with former Patriots, Seahawks and Jaguars tight end Jacob Hollister, Pelissero reported.
- The Los Angeles Chargers announced Monday they have signed former Jaguars and Packers punter J.K. Scott.
- The Miami Dolphins announced Monday they have re-signed safety Sheldrick Redwine.
- The New England Patriots agreed to terms with tackle Trent Brown on a two-year deal, Rapoport reported.
- The New Orleans Saints are re-signing quarterback Jameis Winston to a two-year contract worth a base value of $28 million, per Rapoport and Pelissero.
- The New York Giants are signing former 49ers, Dolphins and Bills running back Matt Breida to a one-year deal, Garafolo reported, per a source informed of the agreement. New York also signing pass rusher Jihad Ward.
- The Philadelphia Eagles have agreed to terms on a one-year deal with former Colts wide receiver Zach Pascal, his agent announced.
- The San Francisco 49ers signed former Eagles defensive lineman Hassan Ridgeway.
- The Tennessee Titans agreed to terms with former Texans defensive back A.J. Moore.
Trades
Visits
- The Detroit Lions are hosting defensive lineman Arden Key on a visit on Monday, Garafolo reported, per a source.
- The Miami Dolphins are hosting star offensive tackle Terron Armstead on Monday, Rapoport and Pelissero reported Sunday.
- The Minnesota Vikings are hosting former Packers pass rusher Za'Darius Smith on Monday, Pelissero reported. Smith was in agreement to sign with the Ravens last week, but the deal fell apart.
- The New England Patriots are hosting running back Leonard Fournette, per Giardi.