Today, the Baltimore Ravens announced the signing of free agent tight end Larry Donnell. The former New York Giants player was added in light of Crockett Gillmore sustaining a leg injury. The Ravens didn’t touch on the severity of Gillmore’s injury. However, it can be assumed that it is somewhat serious, since the Ravens decided to add a new tight end to the mix. The Ravens have also lost two other tight ends this offseason. Both Dennis Pitta and Darren Waller are now gone for the season. Pitta, for the third time, dislocated his hip earlier in the offseason, and Darren Waller was suspended for the full season. To make room for the move, the Ravens cut underrated free agent wide receiver Tim Williams.
Donnell went undrafted in 2011, but managed to make the Giants roster. His best season came in 2014, when he caught 92 passes for 623 yards, and six touchdowns. Based on his experience, Donnell has a real shot at making the final 53 man roster. The Ravens have five other tight ends currently on the roster. These players are Benjamin Watson, Maxx Williams, Nick Boyle, Ryan Malleck, and Crockett Gillmore. Watson, Williams, and Gillmore are all coming off injuries from last year, and Gillmore is once again injured. Most of these tight ends are inexperienced also. Williams was a second round pick in the 2015 NFL draft, but has yet to impress. Boyle was drafted in the fifth round of the NFL draft in the same year. He found some success, but has found himself suspended before. Ryan Malleck joined the Ravens this season, after being undrafted in 2016 and joining the Pittsburgh Steelers. He will probably not make the roster in 2017. If Gillmore is out for a prolonged period of time, Donnell could become the second tight end on the depth chart, under Benjamin Watson.
