According to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter, the Baltimore Ravens are signing former Broncos’ defensive end, Derek Wolfe. According to Schefter, Wolfe signed a one-year deal worth up to $6 million. According to NFL Network NFL Insider Ian Rapoport, Wolfe’s contract is structured this way: $3 million in guaranteed money, $3 million in incentives.
Former Broncos’ DE Derek Wolfe reached agreement on an 1-year deal worth up to $6 million with the Baltimore Ravens, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 28, 2020
Derek Wolfe gets a 1-year, $3M fully guaranteed deal with $3M more available in incentives — picking the #Ravens over the #Texans as his landing spot. https://t.co/9Y3NTlim7d
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 28, 2020
Derek Wolfe joined the Broncos in 2012 as a second-round draft pick. The former Cincinnati Bearcat has played in 108 games since 2012, recording 33 sacks, 206 solo tackles, 93 assists, 46 tackles for loss, 77 quarterback hits, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, and 15 pass deflections.
The main concern with Wolfe is his health. Wolfe has played only three full 16-game seasons during his eight years in the National Football League. His most recent injury happened last year. Wolfe ended the 2019 season on the injured reserve after he suffered a dislocated elbow in Week 13.
If Jimmy Smith’s contract is any indicator, the incentives Baltimore gave Wolfe probably require him to play a certain number of games or snaps.
The Ravens were forced to re-enter the defensive linemen market after Baltimore failed to sign Michael Brockers. The two parties had agreed to terms on a three-year, $30 million contract, but the actual signing was held up over Brockers’ health. Independent doctors flagged Brockers’ high ankle sprain that he suffered in 2019 as a potentially long-term problem. Baltimore could not get their own doctors to Brockers because of the inconveniences of the current coronavirus pandemic. As a result, the signing stalled and Brockers re-signed with the Los Angeles Rams.
In case you are wondering how this factors into the compensatory pick formula for 2021, Nick Korte, the leading compensatory pick expert, says Wolfe should be valued no higher than a sixth-round pick, meaning the Ravens will preserve a presumed fifth-round pick for the of Michael Pierce. He notes that this sixth-round pick would cancel out the projected sixth-round pick Seth Roberts generated for the Ravens.
Even if Derek Wolfe earns all $6M, his contract should be valued no more than a 6th rounder in the 2021 compensatory formula.
For the Ravens, it preserves their 5th round comp pick for the departure of Michael Pierce, as the arrival of Wolfe cancels out the loss of Seth Roberts. https://t.co/p6JE1iaAQ5
— Nick Korte (@nickkorte) March 28, 2020
