Baltimore Ravens: RGIII is Exactly What the Ravens Need

The Baltimore Ravens recently signed Robert Griffin III to a one-year contract, and he is exactly what the team needs as a backup option.

The Baltimore Ravens recently signed former Washington Redskins and Cleveland Browns quarterback Robert Griffin III to a one-year, $1 million deal, and he is exactly what the team needs as a backup quarterback option.

The Baltimore Ravens have been in need of a backup quarterback this offseason since they lost Ryan Mallett to free agency. A lot of quarterbacks signed in the first three weeks of the NFL offseason, none by the Ravens.

Among the ones currently left in free agency, Griffin shows the most potential upside out of a group that includes Matt Cassel, Derek Anderson, and Mark Sanchez.

More from Baltimore Ravens

• Baltimore Ravens: Will this be Breshad Perriman’s last game as a Raven?
• Baltimore Ravens: Why RG3 Will Not Make the Ravens’ 53-Man Roster
• Baltimore Ravens have to make a decision on resting key offensive players
• Baltimore Ravens Cornerback Situation With Jimmy Smith Likely Suspended
• Top 5 Baltimore Ravens to Get on Your Fantasy Football Team

Griffin is still just 28 years old and has obviously had significant success in the NFL, including his rookie year when he passed for 3,200 yards, 20 touchdowns, and ran the ball 120 times for 815 yards and seven touchdowns, winning him Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.

The Ravens don’t have a lot of salary cap space, which is why signing someone like Griffin, who has experience in the NFL, who has had success, to a one-year, $1 million deal makes perfect sense.

This is also a pretty low-risk deal, as it wouldn’t be a shock at all for the Baltimore Ravens to end up drafting a quarterback this year early on. The Joe Flacco era is coming to an end sooner rather than later in Baltimore, and the Ravens know that, which is why they’ve talked about wanting to develop a young quarterback.

We’ve talked before about how the Baltimore Ravens could surprise people and pick Heisman-winner Baker Mayfield in the draft this year, but even if they don’t, there’s plenty of quarterback talent that they could grab in the second or third round of the draft.

If they do that, then it wouldn’t be shocking to see Griffin cut from the team. Certainly the Ravens would rather have their rookie be Flacco’s backup, which leaves Griffin as the odd man out.

But, the Griffin investment makes sense as a backup plan to their draft strategy. If the Ravens had elected not to sign a quarterback this offseason, and then didn’t see any quarterbacks in the draft that they wanted to pick, they’d be stuck with practice squad quarterback Josh Woodrum as their primary backup. With Griffin, they have a backup plan in case they decide not to grab a quarterback in the draft this year.

Next: Will the Ravens Add Another Receiver?

Personally, I’m hoping Griffin stays on the team and is able to get some playing time. He’s an electric player and an incredible athlete. If he’s able to stay healthy, he can be a really impressive and fun to watch NFL quarterback.