Baltimore Beatdown
Analyzing the pros and cons of trying to bring in one of the former All Pro NFC West wideouts on the chopping block.
With Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman both putting up career-best numbers in 2024, wide receiver is, at long last, no longer the most pressing need in the Ravens offense. Todd Monken’s heavy use of multiple tight ends makes wide receiver depth less important in Baltimore, but both Nelson Agholor and Tylan Wallace are set to hit free agency. As of now, the team’s WR3 is 2024 fourth-rounder Devontez Walker, who played all of 57 snaps on offense as a rookie.
In recent years, the Ravens have preferred to build up their wide receiving corps through the draft while signing a few veterans on short-term deals. This offseason, they could seriously upgrade their No. 3 receiver spot by going after Cooper Kupp or Deebo Samuel, who were both placed on the trade block in recent weeks. The NFC West pass-catchers would bring a veteran presence to the receiver room and fit right in Todd Monken’s dynamic offense. Here are the pros and cons of making a trade for either of these two players:
Pros
When healthy, Kupp is still a dependable pass-catcher who can operate over the middle and win routes on the sidelines. His versatility and history as a willing and capable blocker would fit perfectly in Todd Monken’s offense.
Kupp is a proven playmaker with plenty of big-game experience. He led the league in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns in 2021 and earned Super Bowl MVP honors later that year. In nine career playoff games, he’s recorded 56 catches for 742 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.
If Kupp doesn’t have a strong market, the Ravens could likely nab him for Day 3 draft compensation with the Rams eating some of the remaining money on his contract. With 11 projected picks, Baltimore has the draft capital to get a deal done.
Kupp could have a resurgent season in a tertiary role behind Bateman and Flowers. In addition to a lower physical burden, Kupp would also benefit from attention drawn by the other playmakers around him. Set to turn 32 in June, he would be the veteran leader in a room whose current oldest player under contract through next season is the 25-year-old Bateman.
Cons
