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Ravens should actively search for Joe Flacco’s heir

By George Stockburger

CINCINNATI, OH - JANUARY 1: Joe Flacco
CINCINNATI, OH - JANUARY 1: Joe Flacco /
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Back injuries should have the Ravens searching for their next franchise quarterback

Joe Flacco’s career in Baltimore has surpassed the expectations of fans across the NFL coming out of an FCS such as the University of Delaware. Joining a short list of Phil Simms and Steve McNair, among others, Flacco has pushed himself into the upper echelon of quarterbacks across the NFL over nine years.

After missing only six games in his NFL career, all coming in 2015, the 32-year-old Flacco is dealing with a back injury limiting him in training camp. Baltimore has no suitable backup, and fans are looking elsewhere for a quarterback in Baltimore.

While Ryan Mallett or possibly Colin Kaepernick might keep the Ravens afloat neither solves the long-term issue at quarterback in Baltimore. Going into the next offseason, Baltimore needs to actively search for the heir to Flacco.

There are three ways to approach this without dishonoring the greatest quarterback in franchise history: draft someone in 2018, trade for a young quarterback right now, or sign a free agent this offseason.

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Baltimore would love to address other positions of need in the 2018 NFL Draft such as running back or wide receiver. Currently projected to falter in the AFC this season Baltimore could potentially be looking at a top-10, potentially top-five pick. It places them in a tremendous position to draft one of the several young quarterbacks projected to declare next year.

Josh Allen from Wyoming could be an option that allows the Ravens to keep Flacco and allow their young quarterback to learn from the sideline. It’s a position taken by Kansas City and Philadelphia in recent years that more teams are beginning to trend towards.

It provides long-term stability for the franchise while not completely tossing away the veteran.

The second option for general manager Ozzie Newsome is trading for a young quarterback with some contractual control. Cody Kessler in Cleveland makes sense with DeShone Kizer recently drafted and Bock Osweiler trending towards being the starter. Kessler has NFL experience and is under contract through the 2019 season for little to no money.

An expensive option could be A.J. McCarron from Cincinnati, but he will be a restricted free agent this offseason. The price will be too high to acquire McCarron this year, and potentially reaching a deal with him in free agency this offseason is more realistic.
An expensive option could be A.J. McCarron from Cincinnati, but he will be a restricted free agent this offseason. The price will be too high to acquire McCarron this year, and potentially reaching a deal with him in free agency this offseason is more realistic. /

The same can be said for Jimmy Garoppolo in New England, who are very high on the young quarterback. It’s highly unlikely they would trade Garoppolo, especially to a rival.

Finally, the Ravens could explore free agency and trade Flacco for a draft pick. Much of the 2018 free agency class will hinge on the Redskins handling of Kirk Cousins. If the two can’t agree to a deal and the team decides another tag would be too costly the Ravens could have an experienced starting quarterback at just 28-years-old.

A more expensive option would be Matthew Stafford from Detroit, who could set the new standard for quarterback contracts. Teddy Bridgewater, Sam Bradford, and Drew Brees are also among the veteran free agents this offseason.

Next: Josh Woodrum a realistic option in Baltimore?

I’d anticipate the Ravens, if in a position to do so, drafting a quarterback such as Allen or Josh Rosen and mentoring him behind Flacco. They’ll need an answer for this year that’s not named Mallett, which may ultimately lead to Kaepernick finding a home in 2017.

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