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2016 Ravens Free Agency Rumor Mill

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Note: For finalized Ravens transactions, please visit our **free-agency tracker**.

Thursday, March 17

Former Ravens inside linebacker Daryl Smith is visiting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Thursday, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. The Ravens released Smith on March 3. However, General Manager Ozzie Newsome left the door open for Smith to return at a lower cost, saying, "He deserves an opportunity to see his market value at this time." Now Smith, who led the Ravens in tackles two of the past three years, is reportedly assessing that value.

[Courtney Upshawinternal-link-placeholder-0] Visiting Jets

Ravens free-agent outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw is meeting with the New York Jets on Thursday, reports FOX Sports' Peter Schrager. It's the first reported action Upshaw has seen on the market so far. Upshaw is known for his ability to stop the run, but didn't materialize as a pass rusher.

Monday, March 14

Free-agent wide receiver Mike Wallace is set to visit with the Ravens over the next 24 hours. Wallace will arrive in Baltimore Monday night and is scheduled to spend Tuesday meeting with the team, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. La Canfora reported that the Ravens have "real interest" in Wallace, who was cut by the Vikings earlier this offseason.

Free-agent safety Eric Weddle has reportedly narrowed his free-agency options down to three teams, according to Peter Schrager of Fox Sports. Schrager tweeted that negotiations "went on through the night" between the three teams and Weddle's representatives. The Ravens have been reported to be in the hunt for the safety's services, but it's unclear whether Baltimore is one of the final three suitors. Weddle is expected to make a decision within the next 24 hours.

Saturday, March 12

Free agent wide receiver Mike Wallace is scheduled to visit Baltimore Monday, per Sports Illustrated's Don Banks. The speedster was released by the Minnesota Vikings this offseason after he reportedly refused a pay cut. The Ravens' interest is "still contingent on Wallace accepting a low-budget deal," Banks reports. The veteran speedster caught 39 passes for 473 yards and two touchdowns last season after being traded from the Dolphins to Vikings. His best seasons came in Pittsburgh in 2010 and 2011.

The Ravens are keeping "close tabs" on former Pro Bowl safety Eric Weddle, per CBSSports.com's Jason La Canfora. Baltimore is among three teams reportedly doing so, joining the Steelers and Cowboys. The unrestricted free agent is considered the top free agent left on the market. He is a solid tackler and playmaker at free safety, something the Ravens could use. Weddle also has a close relationship with Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. Weddle is expected to make a decision on his destination early next week, per The Baltimore Sun's Jeff Zrebiec.

Wednesday, March 9

After losing left guard/tackle Kelechi Osemele to the Oakland Raiders, the Ravens had free-agent guard Vlad Ducasse in for a visit Thursday, according to ESPN's Field Yates. Ducasse, 28, started 11 games for the Chicago Bears last season. He played for the Vikings in 2015 and spent the previous four years with the New York Jets.

Wednesday, March 9

Ravens ‘Looking Seriously’ At Mike WallaceThe Ravens may make a run at an old rival. Former Steelers wide receiver Mike Wallace was recently released by the Minnesota Vikings, and the Ravens are "looking seriously" at signing him "if the price is right," according to NFL Network's Aditi Kinkhabwala. The speedy receiver is coming off the worst season of his career, where he had 473 receiving yards and two touchdowns. But he's a big-play threat that would give the Ravens a much needed element of speed on offense.

Ravens Looking At Steelers LT Kelvin Beachum
Wallace isn't the only former Steeler the Ravens are reportedly interested in signing. They are also "taking a look at" left tackle Kelvin Beachum, according to Kinkhabwala. Beachum is a 26-year-old unrestricted free agent coming off a torn ACL last season. He has been a starter in Pittsburgh for the last four years. Beachum will visit the Jaguars on Monday, reports ESPN's Ryan Halloran.

Ravens ‘Strong Contender’ For Safety Rodney McLeodThe Ravens are in the market for another safety, and Jason Cole of Bleacher Report reported that they are a "strong contender" for ex-Rams safety Rodney McLeod. The 25-year-old defender is an unrestricted free agent who has started 16 games in each of the last three seasons. He has 82 tackles, an interception and three forced fumbles last year.

UPDATE:McLeod has agreed to a five-year deal with the Eagles worth $37 million, according to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport.

Tuesday, March 8

Outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw appears ready to leave in free agency, as Jeff Zrebiec of The Baltimore Sun reported that he continues "to hear that Colts are likely landing sport for Courtney Upshaw." Zrebiec did hedge that comment by saying "nothing definitive on that one." Going to Indianapolis could be a good fit for Upshaw because it would keep him with new Colts Defensive Coordinator Ted Monachino, who was Upshaw's position coach the last four years with the Ravens.

Baltimore Has 'Strong, Strong Interest' In TE [Benjamin Watsoninternal-link-placeholder-0]

The Ravens have shown "strong, strong interest" in veteran tight end Benjamin Watson, per ESPN's Dianna Marie Russini. The Ravens have a need at tight end considering Nick Boyle's 10-game suspension and starter Crockett Gillmore's offseason surgery on both shoulders. Watson is heading into his 13th season. The 2015 Walter Payton Man of the Year finalist caught 74 passes for 825 yards and six touchdowns last season for the Saints.

Ravens To Place Second-Round Tender On

The Ravens have yet to tender any of their restricted free agents, but The Baltimore Sun is reporting that the team plans to place a second-round tender on wide receiver Kamar Aiken. The second-round tender carries a salary of $2.55 million, and it protects Aiken from hitting the open market. Now if a team wants to sign Aiken, the Ravens would have a chance to match its offer and would also receive a second-round pick in return if Aiken were to leave.

Offensive lineman Kelechi Osemele is heading west. Osemele has reportedly reached an agreement in principle with the Oakland Raiders, according to Rand Getlin of the NFL Network. The Ravens made a "very aggressive" offer to keep Osemele in Baltimore, but Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reported that Osemele's deal is a five-year contract worth up to $60 million. That is the highest contract for a guard in NFL history. Osemele's deal cannot be officially announced until 4 p.m. Wednesday.

The Ravens want to continue to strengthen their secondary after re-signing cornerback Shareece Wright Monday, and ProFootballTalk.com is reporting that they are interested in Bengals cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones. The veteran defender is garnering interest from several teams around the league, including the Cleveland Browns, Miami Dolphins and Dallas Cowboys.

Sunday, March 6

The Ravens are expected to bring Wright to Baltimore this week to take a physical and finalize a new deal, per Jeff Zrebiec of The Baltimore Sun. When the Ravens signed Wright midway through last season, the veteran cornerback viewed it as a long-term opportunity.

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