Jordan

Richards

Baltimore also parted ways with receiver Michael Dereus and offensive tackle Andre Smith. Richards was a core contributor on special teams last year, appearing in all 16 games while logging 334 special teams snaps. Having played for three teams in the past three years, Richards should land on another team’s roster before Week 1.

Richards qualifies for the veteran salary benefit, giving him a cap charge of $875K. The 28-year-old should return as a core special teamer for the Ravens after playing 79% of snaps on special teams last year.

Richards has bounced around the league as a primary special teams player. He played just one snap on defense in 2019, but 177 on special teams.

The Falcons traded a conditional seventh-rounder for Richards at final cuts last year. He went on to start 12 games after Keanu Neal suffered a torn ACL in Week 1. Richards was a liability in coverage but gives the Raiders a third safety behind Lamarcus Joyner and Karl Joseph. He’s also a cog on special teams.

Allen limped off before taking a cart to the locker room just minutes into overtime. Despite being listed as questionable, it’s probably safe to assume his day is over. He logged seven tackles prior to exiting. Losing Allen for any amount of time would be a huge blow for a Falcons defense already playing without Pro Bowlers Deion Jones (foot) and Keanu Neal (ACL). Jordan Richards has come on in place of Allen.

Per reporter Mike Reiss, some clubs viewed Richards as a “late-round consideration.” We weren’t a fan of the pick. Richards is not a plus athlete. Bill Belichick has a checkered history with second-round defensive backs. Both 2011’s Ras-I Dowling and 2012’s Tavon Wilson were viewed as reaches. Dowling is nearly out of the league, while Wilson played only 188 snaps on defense last season.

Richards (5'11/211) was a three-year starter for the Cardinal, tallying nine career INTs and earning first-team All-Pac 12 as a senior. Exposed as a mediocre athlete at the Combine, Richards ran 4.65 with a 32-inch vertical and 9-foot-3 broad jump. Richards was a ballhawk at Stanford, but projects as a coverage-deficient, run-stopping safety for the Pats. He’ll have to contribute on special teams as a rookie.

Richards was a 2015 second-rounder entering the final year of his contract. He played 316 snaps on defense for the AFC champs last season while being a cog on special teams. Richards was likely going to be cut if not traded.