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While the list of restricted free agent wide receivers features Pro Bowlers and high-ceiling guys, the list of unrestricted free agent wideouts leaves quite a bit more to be desired.
If the Ravens are looking for a big, playmaking wide receiver, they might not find it below, but they will find a couple mid-level guys who could bolster their depth and give Joe Flacco another reliable set of hands to throw to.
As I mentioned earlier, the Ravens would have to give up draft picks to sign any of the top restricted free agent wide receivers on the market this offseason, and they've also got limits on the number and level of UFAs they can sign.
Per the Final Eight Plan, the Ravens can only sign one UFA with a contract of an estimated $5.5 million or more in the first year. They also can an unlimited number of free agents with a first-year salary under an estimated $3.7 million with limitations on per year increases. On top of that, the Ravens can only sign one UFA for each of their UFAs signed by another team, and those players' contracts must be comparable.
Here are the unrestricted wide receiver options that the Ravens will pick through:
Kevin Walter, 6-3, 214 pounds, Houston Texans
Maybe the most realistic option out there, Walter is a solid, reliable receiver. He made 53 grabs for 611 yards and 2 TDs in 14 games this season as the Texans' compliment to Andre Johnson, but showed a little more in the numbers department in 2008, posting 60 catches for 899 yards and 8 touchdowns. He's not the game-changer that Ravens fans have been dreaming of, but Walter is unrestricted and wouldn't require a monster contract.
Antonio Bryant, 6-1, 205 pounds, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Limited to only 11 games in '09 because of a knee injury, Bryant still had a nice year, making 39 grabs for 600 yards and 4 touchdowns. He also had a big 2008, posting 1,248 yards and 7 TDs. Bryant would be a nice fit in Charm City, but don't be surprised if the Bucs shell out some heavy cash to keep him around Tampa. They can't afford to leave their young QB without a top wideout.
Muhsin Muhammad, 6-2, 215 pounds, Carolina Panthers
Muhammed is another guy who might be a decent fit in Baltimore, but he is 36 and would be entering his 15th NFL season in 2010. He's a consistent, reliable option, albeit one that won't keep opposing defenses up at night. Muhammed has averaged 56 receptions, 737 yards and 3.6 touchdowns in his last five seasons and has been remarkably consistent in that time. He could be a guy the Ravens consider.
Terrell Owens, 6-3, 218 pounds, Buffalo Bills
T.O. didn't exactly make any friends around The Castle in 2004 when he talked his way out of a trade that would have brought him to Baltimore. With the Bills this season, he had the worst season of his career, posting 55 receptions for 829 yards and 5 TDs (which is still a nice stat line compared to the other guys on this list). T.O's talented, but he's got character issues, a me-first attitude, and won't mesh well in the Ravens' locker room. Does Ozzie Newsome want to go down this road again? I doubt it.
Chris Chambers, 5-11, 210 pounds, Kansas City Chiefs
Nine-year vet who was released by the Chargers mid-way through '09 and claimed off waivers by KC. Had a decent year overall, posting 45 receptions for 730 yards and 5 TDs. Chambers has failed to live up to high expectations after a 2005 season where he had over 1,100 yards and 11 TDs.
Other UFA possibilities: Brian Finneran, Josh Reed, Bobby Wade, Ernest Wilford
Quick programming note to add in -- MASN will be airing today's State of the Ravens press conference live at 2 p.m. Owner Steve Bisciotti, president Dick Cass, GM/executive vice president Ozzie Newsome and head coach John Harbaugh will all be on hand to discuss their plans for the offseason.
