Historically known as a franchise left out of contention for free agent wide receivers to join, the Ravens may find themselves in unfamiliar territory. According to PFF’s Doug Kyed, Baltimore was labelled by a source as “an attractive landing spot” for veterans still on the open market. 
The Ravens have seen a number of changes to their WR room this offseason. Departures at the position include Miles Boykin being claimed off waivers by the Steelers, and Sammy Watkins signing with the Packers after his one-year stint in Baltimore. The most impactful loss, of course, was that of Marquise Brown, whose trade request was honored during the draft when he was dealt to the Cardinals.
Those moves left the team thin on the depth chart, and with very little experience at the position. 2021 first-rounder Rashod Bateman is slated to become the No. 1 wideout in Brown’s absence, and will look to build off of an injury-shortened rookie campaign in which he flashed potential. The rest of the position group is led by Devin Duvernay, James Proche and Tylan Wallace – a trio which has combined to make 72 catches in the NFL.
That left many expecting the Ravens to select at least one wideout during the draft; while the team did add pass-catchers in the form of tight ends Charlie Kolar and Isaiah Likely, no perimeter players were brought in. Free agency then represented the next avenue by which additions could be made, something general manager Eric DeCosta acknowledged when speaking about the roster.
“We like our receivers, we do” he said last month, adding, “we will add players to the mix. We’re doing that right now, and we’ll look at veteran players as well.” One such veteran is Will Fuller, whom Kyed names as a logical candidate for Baltimore to sign. The 28-year-old could add a speed element which was lost with Brown being traded away, and would, in all likelihood, represent another short-term, low-cost commitment the team has regularly made at the position. Baltimore could also consider T.Y. Hilton, who returned to the Colts in 2021 after receiving a larger offer from the Ravens.
With a roster spot and, quite possibly, a healthy number of targets available, those two and other wideouts still searching for a home may consider coming to Baltimore more than others have in recent years.
Baltimore is a viable place for WRs to go; it’s just not a viable place for them to expect a lot of passes thrown their way, or at least catchable passes.
Mark Andrews and Rashod Bateman are definitely gonna dominate the target share with Rashod taking Hollywood’s targets from last year. The Ravens are definitely gonna run the ball more with healthy RBs and a deeper OL. But if you can get 1 to 2 deep shots per game in that offense, it would be well worth it for a guy like Will Fuller who can break off huge plays and discourage teams from stacking the box against the Ravens. A 1 year deal could lead to a lot of production in that offense and a nice contract next year.
Viable if you’re looking for a paycheck. Not viable if you are looking to be a contributor. Ravens seem to have made it clear they are going with a dink and dunk O this year? If I were a WR looking for work, I’d stay away!
I think this is an overreaction to them trading Brown. For one thing, he requested it. For another, they got overpaid for him. But also, Brown just isn’t the best fit for them, because he isn’t really that great an outside threat and Andrews so dominates their inside targets.
@Oooof; based on their off season moves, looks like they’re going back to their 2019 offensive scheme with added short passing to RBs. Brown did them a favor requesting out. Shocked the Cards gave up a 1st rounder to get him.
Me too. Even with the scheme direction, you’d think they’d bring in something for the outside. Maybe a Will Fuller.
@Oooof, I like Fuller too. Love to have him. That said; DeCosta seems to be a straight shooter. If he says he’s happy with the current corp, I believe it. I’d be surprised if they brought someone in.
I would take Fuller. He was a great WR when healthy.
Yeah….I’m gonna say….no.
There is a reason why elite FA WR’s will not come here and why Marquise Brown wanted out.
I’d love to know who this “source” is. It is either the person who wrote the PFF article, or some low level person with the Ravens.