Torrey Smith signs with San Francisco 49ers
Former Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith signs with the San Francisco 49ers.
The San Francisco 49ers have seen many defections and massive roster turnover in the offseason, but the team is bringing in reinforcements on offense with the signing of Torrey Smith to a five-year contract in the first hour of NFL free agency.
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Smith, 26, has played his entire four-year career with the Baltimore Ravens who drafted him in the second round out of Maryland in the 2011 NFL Draft. He matched a career-low with 49 receptions and set a new low with 767 yards but did set a new career-high with 11 touchdowns.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Adam Caplan were the first to report Smith and the 49ers came to an agreement to reunite him with former Ravens teammate, Anquan Boldin.
Free-agent WR Torrey Smith has reached agreement on a five-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers, per me and @caplannfl
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 10, 2015
Torrey Smith's SF contract: 5 year deal for $40 million, including $22 million guaranteed.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 10, 2015
The 49ers offense will look much different than it did last year with Frank Gore, Mike Iupati and Stevie Johnson gone and the team not expected to bring back Michael Crabtree. In effect, Smith is replacing Crabtree in the starting lineup.
Smith brings a the big-play element to the 49ers offense and should be a favorite target of quarterback Colin Kaepernick, provided he’s not traded as rumors suggest he’s on the block, and has the speed to take the proverbial top off the defense.
In the first three years of his career, Smith 16.8, 17.4 and 17.4 yards per catch but dipped to a career-low mark of 15.7 with a career-low 92 targets. His worst season as a pro coincided with his contract year, which rarely seems to happen, but it didn’t hurt Smith’s bargaining power with $22 million guaranteed and his deal worth as much as $40 million.
Fans in San Francisco has to think the sky is falling in the Bay Area and shaking their heads wondering if Smith is an upgrade over Crabtree.
Next: NFL Free Agents list: Best available by position
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