Ravens Nelson Agholor, Laquon Treadwell Impressing with First-Round Pedigrees
The Baltimore Ravens have a vast array of weapons for quarterback Lamar Jackson entering this season.
With 2021 first-round pick Rashod Bateman back healthy from a foot injury, former All-Pro honoree Odell Beckham Jr. signing in free agency and first-round rookie Zay Flowers entering the fold, there are three exciting playmakers at the top of the receivers room for Jackson.
Beyond that trio, there's tight ends Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely and running back JK Dobbins, among others, forming a versatile, explosive offense on paper for new coordinator Todd Monken.
And yet, the Ravens still have more in the tank - including a pair of former highly thought-of pass catchers with strong pedigree dating back to their college careers.
Earlier this offseason, Baltimore signed wideout Nelson Agholor, a first-round pick in 2015 by the Philadelphia Eagles. During OTAs, another former first-round selection was added with the signing of Laquon Treadwell, who was taken by the Minnesota Vikings a year after Agholor.
Both receivers are on one-year contracts, and Treadwell in particular is facing an uphill climb to make the roster. But there remains intrigue surrounding the talent, and each has impressed coach John Harbaugh during OTAs, starting with Agholor.
"He has been on point," Harbaugh said of the 30-year old Agholor. "He's been here pretty much every day. He's missed a few days here and there for personal reasons, but he's a talented guy. Former first-round pick; he looks it – rangy, big catch radius. All the things you saw today, I feel like he's been doing all along."
Agholor, who stands 6-0, 198 pounds, caught 31 passes for 362 yards and two touchdowns for the New England Patriots last season, his fewest numbers in each category since his rookie year - in part due to the ineptitude of the offense around him.
There's less certainty around Treadwell, who caught six passes for 42 yards in six games with the Seattle Seahawks this past year. He's played at least five games in every season since entering the league and posted a respectable line of 33 receptions for 434 yards and a score as a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2021.
Signed by Baltimore in early June, Treadwell missed some of the offseason program but has jumped on track quickly, putting himself in position to contend for a roster spot during training camp.
"Really a determined guy," Harbaugh said. "Wants to be really good. Physical (in) practice, worked hard in the workout. Came out here and pretty much knew what he was doing, after getting here less than 24 hours ago. He didn't make a mistake out there. I think that says a lot about who he is.
"So, he'll be in the mix. We'll let him compete and see how he does."
Perhaps most importantly, the Ravens aren't necessarily expecting sizable contributions from Agholor or Treadwell, instead hoping they grow into steady complementary assets around some of the other weapons.
But if their pedigree says one thing, it's that the talent is there to blossom, in one way or another - and Baltimore's offense could be better off because of it.
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