Christian Kirksey made three visits this week, and the former Browns starter wants to choose a new team soon. In addition to the Bills, Packers and Raiders, a fourth suitor may be lurking.
The Ravens have entered the mix for Kirksey, with ESPN.com’s Josina Anderson reporting they have communicated with the recently available linebacker (Twitter link). Kirksey has not visited the Ravens but did trek to Buffalo, Las Vegas and Green Bay this week.
The Browns made the 27-year-old off-ball ‘backer a cap casualty earlier this week, but a fairly sizable market has emerged for the longtime starter. Prior to injury-plagued 2018 and ’19 seasons, Kirksey combined for 286 tackles from 2016-17. The Ravens also have questions at this spot. Patrick Onwuasor and Josh Bynes are free agents. Baltimore did, however, extend in-season addition L.J. Fort. But the team will likely add inside linebacker help in free agency or the draft.
Since Kirksey is a street free agent, he will not count toward the compensatory formula. The Ravens have been known to prioritize those selections, holding a substantial lead on the rest of the NFL in accumulating those. They are projected to hold just $21MM in cap space. That number lags well behind the Bills’ $81MM and Raiders’ $55MM in offseason funds.