Ravens' WR Uncertainty Looms Large This Offseason
The Baltimore Ravens had a good, not great 2023 season as they won the AFC North and clinched the No. 1 seed. After dispatching a plucky Houston Texans team, the Ravens came undone in the AFC Championship game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Now, with an eye on next season as free agency and the draft approaches, just who will be Lamar Jackson's weapons remains a big question mark.
Nelson Agholor has already re-signed, but Odell Beckham Jr. isn't assured of returning, and Devin Duvernay and Laquon Treadwell are free agents. So there could be a big change in the receiver room going forward.
NFL.com assessed the Ravens' options at receiver, and in truth, there are more questions than answers.
"Flowers is a keeper," NFL.com writes. "The recent decision to hang onto Agholor with a one-year contract makes sense. The question milling around Owings Mills is whether Baltimore exercises Bateman's fifth-year option for 2025 at roughly $13.78 million. The former first-rounder finally showed signs of life late in the season, but that figure is rich for a wideout who has yet to eclipse 600 yards in any campaign. However, do the Ravens want to create a massive need at the position next offseason by declining?
"The decision could come down to how free agency goes. Beckham played well in spurts, but it isn't worth doubling down on a $15 million deal. Lamar Jackson showed progress in a new offense with better weapons, winning his second MVP in the process. Baltimore must keep that going by ensuring there are enough playmakers in the passing game."
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Head coach John Harbaugh has already detailed how excited he is to see Rashod Bateman and Zay Flowers on the field together more in 2024, but with Bateman's injury history, that is hardly a guarantee next season.
Duvernay and Treadwell caught five passes between them last season and if Beckham Jr. isn't brought back, Jackson will still have Flowers, Bateman as well as tight ends in Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely as pass catchers.
But surely the Ravens will want to add another receiver or two to the room, whether that be a shrewd signing via free agency or the draft, Jackson needs weapons.
Having won his second NFL MVP award in his first year with Todd Monken, one can only imagine the improvement Lamar could make in his second year with the former Georgia coordinator.
But to improve, Jackson needs weapons to throw to, and while the contract situations of Justin Madubuike and Patrick Queen naturally take center stage, Baltimore's receiver room is also a must-watch this offseason.
