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The deal includes escalators that can bring the total amount to $40 million.

News of Rice's deal came down just prior to Monday's 4 p.m. ET deadline. Rice, who had yet to sign his one-year, $7.742 million franchise tender, said Saturday he was "optimistic" of a deal getting done.

Although I wasn't as optimistic as the deadline approach, the Ravens do have a history of getting deals done with their franchise free agents.

And one could argue that Rice is as important a signing as they've made in recent memory. It's certainly the most important from a Fantasy perspective.

This little man makes big things happen for Fantasy owners.

Consider his portfolio: Three straight 1,200-plus-yard seasons for the Ravens; no fewer than 60 catches in each of the past three years; a career 4.6-yard average per rushing attempt; and two seasons with 2,000-plus yards from scrimmage.

Last year Rice set career bests for rushing yards, receiving yards and touchdowns (a Ravens' single-season record 15 of them) and in the final five weeks of the season he was money.

In four NFL seasons, the diminutive former Rutgers star has rushed for 4,377 career yards and 24 touchdowns. He has caught 250 passes for 2,235 yards and five touchdowns. ...

In other words, Rice is good as gold and he still appears to be a player on the rise.

The Ravens are committed to feeding him the football, and fullback Vonta Leach is committed to clearing a path for Rice on every play. We admit that Rice is a stronger fantasy option in PPR leagues, but even in traditional leagues he’s a top-3 back -- a 5-8 monster capable of carrying Fantasy owners deep into their playoffs.

You will currently find him placed accordingly on our Staff Rankings Matrix .