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The Baltimore Ravens invested $10.25 million in signing bonuses last offseason on wide receiver Jeremy Maclin, running back Danny Woodhead and right tackle Austin Howard. After one season, the Ravens' three most notable free-agent additions on offense are all gone. The latest was the release of Maclin on Wednesday. In going 0 for 3, Baltimore officially struck out in trying to improve the offense in 2017.  Woodhead, the team's first free-agent signing a year ago, was expected to present mismatches out of the backfield and move the chains on third downs. But a hamstring injury on the opening drive knocked him out for eight games, and the team never found a niche for him when he returned. Woodhead managed a total of 256 yards from scrimmage after receiving $3.25 million last season ($2.25 million signing bonus and $1 million salary).
Maclin was signed in June after the Kansas City Chiefs surprisingly cut him, and he was projected to be the team's No. 1 receiver. Injuries and what appeared to be a lackluster attitude led to a career-worst season. He caught 40 passes for 440 yards while banking $6 million ($5 million signing bonus and $1 million salary). Howard was brought in early in training camp after being cut by the Oakland Raiders, and he did an adequate job in replacing Rick Wagner, who signed a big-money deal with the Detroit Lions. Of these three signings, the Ravens got the most out of Howard, who gutted it out for 16 games while playing hurt. Howard earned $4.5 million last season ($3 million signing bonus and $1.5 million salary) before Baltimore chose not to pick up his 2018 option. It shouldn't come as a surprise that Baltimore finished No. 27 in the league in offense. The only times the Ravens ranked worse offensively were 2004 (No. 31) and 2013 (No. 29). Baltimore created $9.8 million in cap savings by parting ways with Woodhead, Maclin and Howard and took on $6 million in dead money. The Ravens already have built-in plans to replace all three players. At running back, Kenneth Dixon is back from injury and suspension, and Baltimore could use an early draft pick on a young runner. At wide receiver, the additions of Ryan Grant and John Brown on Tuesday secured Maclin's exit the next day. At right tackle, the re-signing of James Hurst led to the departure of Howard. Baltimore didn't get entirely shut out in adding an impact offensive player last year. Before the start of the regular season, the Ravens were able to sign running back Alex Collins to their practice squad after it looked like he was headed to the New York Jets. Collins, who was released by the Seattle Seahawks after the preseason, earned the Ravens' starting job a few weeks later and finished as the NFL's 11th-leading rusher. The Ravens can only hope the additions on offense this offseason have more long-lasting contributions.
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