Ozzie Newsome is in the midst of a monumental offseason rebuild, with the draft sitting as the most vital instrument left to help catch the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC North.
But ahead of the draft (April 27-29 in Philadelphia), the Baltimore Ravens general manager said he expects to add a veteran free agent.
"We're working," Newsome said, via the team's official website. "And I can say there's a high probability of that, yes."
The statement came with veteran center Nick Mangold visiting. Mangold left without a deal, but NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported the sides will remain in contact and a contract could come down the line.
The Mangold match makes too much sense for both sides.
The RavenstradedJeremy Zuttah to the San Francisco 49ers and need competition for John Urschel. If his ankle is fully healed, Mangold remains a solid, savvy veteran blocker, just a year removed from three straight Pro Bowl seasons. The Ravens, who were one Antonio Brown TD from winning the division, offer Mangold the chance to get back to the playoffs after wallowing with the New York Jets.
It's been an offseason of change in Baltimore. The Ravens traded Zuttah and Timmy Jernigan, released Elvis Dumervil, watched Steve Smith Sr. and Zach Orr retire, and lost Ricky Wagner, Lawrence Guy, Kyle Juszczyk and Kamar Aiken in free agency.
Newsome made some splash signings, swiping Tony Jefferson, Danny Woodhead and Brandon Carr, while paying nose tackle Brandon Williams big money.
The next move could be adding a seven-time Pro Bowl blocker in Mangold to the fold.
