The Baltimore Ravens have been busy looking at talented free agent players, potential draft prospects and now, the AAF. The team hosted former Orlando Apollos wide receiver Chris Thompson on Wednesday.
The American Alliance Football (AAF) organization collapsed last week after only being in business for two months, which means that the players’ contracts are voided, as in no-good. Now, as free agents, these players can be picked up by the NFL and the Ravens plan to capitalize on that.
Thompson signed in 2017 as a free agent with the Houston Texans after playing for the University of Florida. He did not have a very productive season with the Texans because he was being used mainly as a return specialist. In 13 games and no starts, he only recorded five receptions for 84 yards. As a return specialist, he averaged 21.7 yards on kick returns and 6.5 yards on punt returns. He was waived in August 2018.
Coach John Harbaugh is always looking for good talent in that area. Thompson’s best production seems to come from his return skills. He recorded six punt returns for 39 yards and 17 kick returns for 369 yards while with the Texans.
While with the Apollos, Thompson only had a chance to play eight games and recorded 123 receiving yards because the league suspended its operations on April 2, 2019.
Thompson, standing at 6-feet and weighing 175 pounds, he would bring a lot of speed to the field, running a 40-yard dash in 4.37 seconds. He has not had a lot of receiving production, so he would be a work in progress. Turning 25 in May, he is still in his prime and could fast become a valuable player and could even start right away on special teams as a return specialist.
