Austin Howard (OT) signs with the Baltimore Ravens to a 3 year deal
By Andrew Kim
After being cut from the Oakland Raiders July 28th, veteran offensive tackle Austin Howard found a job pretty quickly one week later.
Austin Howard has signed with the Baltimore Ravens to a three-year deal worth $16 million, and that includes $5.5 million in the first year with team options later on.
Howard also visited with the Houston Texans before settling with the Ravens after his visit to Baltimore. The Ravens also cut tight end Crockett Gilmore, who is out for the season with an MCL injury, to get the cap room to sign Howard.
At the age of 30, Howard has been on the Philadelphia Eagles as a undrafted rookie free agent from Northern Iowa, then was on the Ravens on the practice squad, and finally landed to the NY Jets and Oakland Raiders. Now back on the Ravens, he has a very good chance to be the starter at right tackle over James Hurst to replace Wagner.
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According to Pro Football Focus, Howard helps with his pass blocking to the offense as he was just below the NFL average at pass blocking efficiency at 94.4. Howard had a grade of 93.3 in 2016 with the Raiders but last season was riddled with injuries for him as the starter. He was ranked 53rd out of 73 starting tackles in the league. Compared to James Hurst, Howard is an immediate upgrade.
While many thought the Ravens would sign Nick Mangold at center, the Ravens took a chance on Howard recovering from shoulder surgery (January 2017) that has had 72 starts in the league as an offensive lineman (mostly tackle and some guard).
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The Ravens most likely thought that the idea of Ryan Jensen starting at center was the better situation then the James Hurst starting at right tackle. Adding a veteran likely Howard was the necessary move to improve at the offensive line position.