Storyline: The Baltimore Ravens have a clear need at wide receiver. Here are my top options to pursue in free agency and the ’17 NFL Draft.
Now that it’s the off-season, teams are starting to figure out their needs and how to address them, either in free agency, the draft, or both.
The Baltimore Ravens have a clear need at wide receiver. The Ravens will be losing a lot of production with the retirement of Steve Smith Sr. and they’ll likely lose Kamar Aiken, who’s a restricted free agent.
I’m not sold on Breshad Perriman or Chris Moore being the #1 guy, though that may change as we go through off-season workouts and training camp. But even with those guys are still in the fold, the Ravens must bring in a guy who’s either a #1 receiver or has the potential to be #1 quickly.
Here are my picks as top options.
Free Agency
Alshon Jeffery, Bears (photo, East Village Times, AP)
Alshon Jeffery: He’s an unrestricted free agent from the Bears. He has been the #1 receiver the last two seasons and has been very productive when healthy. The downside is that he’s likely to command big dollars and the Ravens may not be able to meet his demands.
Terrelle Pryor: The Cleveland Browns are likely to place the franchise tag on Pryor. But if he does make it to free agency, he’ll be commanding big dollars. Pryor has a lot of upside (having just switched to receiver) after producing a 1000-yard season. He would be a huge add if Baltimore could get him.
DeSean Jackson: This is the guy I could see the Ravens most likely getting. He won’t command the money due Pryor or Jeffrey and he’s a productive receiver (eclipsing the 1000-yard mark in a crowded receiver corps in Washington). He’ll be the steal of free agency no matter where he lands.
The Draft
Corey Davis, Western Michigan (photo, CSN Philly)
Corey Davis, Western Michigan: At 6’2, 205, Davis could be the perfect fit for the Ravens. He has something that the Ravens have been lacking for years on offense–the deep threat. The question is whether he’ll be available at #16 when the Ravens have their first pick in the draft.
Dede Westbrook, Oklahoma: At 5-11 175, Westbrook is severely undersized according to NFL standards, but all he does is make plays. He was very productive at Oklahoma–a dual threat as receiver and return man–with skills that made him a Heisman Trophy finalist. The Ravens might be able to land him in the 2nd or 3rd rounds.
