Ravens Sign Odell Beckham Jr., Dwayne Haskins Lawsuit Filed, and Other NFL Bullets
While many were watching The Masters and enjoying the Easter holiday, the Ravens stayed busy, inking wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. to a contract. CBS Sports Josina Anderson was among the first to report the deal, which was later confirmed by the team on their Twitter account.
- The Athletic reported that “the deal is worth approximately $15 million, with a $1.165 million base salary, $13.835 million signing bonus, and $3 million in reachable incentives, per a league source.”
- So, the Ravens have landed Odell Beckham Jr. for one year and did so on the eve of his scheduled visit to the New York Jets today. Beckham was supposed to meet with Jets ownership and coaching staff today and undergo a physical.
- While Lamar Jackson’s long-term future remains uncertain, his short-term future is in Baltimore. Jackson has no suitors via free agency, and many teams have either directly or indirectly said they’re not interested in pursuing him now. However, all that could change on draft night if a team gets desperate enough to land a QB and things don’t shake out their way. Still, Jackson will play in Baltimore for at least one more season.
- In recent years, the Ravens have had one of the league’s least productive wide receiving corps. However, a healthy Odell Beckham gives the Ravens another weapon in the passing game alongside veteran tight end Mark Andrews. The Ravens’ wide receivers room also features Rashod Bateman, Devin Duvernay, and Isaiah Likely.
- Ian Rapoport shared a new release from attorneys for the late Dwayne Haskins this morning:
- The release from the Rick Ellsley Law Firm states that their office is filing suit one year after Haskins was struck and killed by a dump truck on a Florida highway. The law firm alleges that new evidence proves that “Haskins was only feet away from making it safely across the roadway when he was struck and killed by an old dump truck.” The statement alleges that the dump truck “was going faster than the speed limit, carrying excessive cargo, had brake system problems, and was traveling on low tread tires with separated sidewalls.”
- In addition to the mechanical flaws of the vehicle, the suit questions the judgment and awareness of the driver. The release states that numerous other drivers were able to avoid hitting Haskins and that the driver’s story and the investigation revealed inconsistencies. The law firm is asking for the public’s help and asking that anyone with information call (954) 888-7720.
- Pre-draft meetings march on this week, with a trio of QBs set to meet with teams on Tuesday. Bryce Young will meet with the Panthers, Will Levis will meet with the Titans, and Hendon Hooker is meeting with the Lions.
- The Lions’ meeting with Tennessee’s Hendon Hooker is interesting. Detroit isn’t in the market for a quarterback in the first round. Or, at least, early in the first round. However, they do own a pair of second-rounders (No. 48 and No. 55 overall). They could turn those two picks into a late first-round pick to trade back in and select Hooker. Detroit has insisted they’re confident in Jared Goff. Still, taking Hendon (after adding two more prospects in the first round) could make a lot of sense for Detroit.
- Georgia’s Jalen Carter will meet with the Seahawks and Raiders early this week. Carter is limiting his pre-draft visits to teams inside the top ten and has already met with the Bears. So, Carter should be wrapping up his pre-draft process soon. The Seahawks are a strong candidate to take Carter at No. 5.
- With the NBA season coming to a close, coaching changes are already starting. Detroit’s Dwane Casey is stepping down as head coach. However, the veteran coach will move to the front office in Detroit. The Rockets will move on from head coach Stephen Silas.
- Pirates shortstop Oneil Cruz suffered an unfortunate injury on Sunday. Cruz fractured his ankle on a late slide into home plate in the sixth inning against the White Sox. Sox catcher Seby Zavala took exception to the slide and exchanged words with Carlos Santana, prompting the benches to clear.
- So, this is one I didn’t see coming …
