Baltimore Ravens must add receiver in NFL free agency
If the Baltimore Ravens are going to both win more playoff games and get the best from Lamar Jackson, they need better receivers.
It’s time. The Baltimore Ravens have to go all-in for Lamar Jackson.
Jackson, 24, has enjoyed three tremendous seasons to start his career. He has been named a unanimous MVP and won a pair of AFC North titles while making the postseason in each campaign. He’s twice rushed for more than 1,000 yards, including setting the single-season rushing mark during his MVP season in 2019.
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However, Jackson and the Ravens have only a single playoff win during that stretch. The reason? An offense that is far too often a one-dimensional unit, relying on running without much in the air for balance.
It seems the reality is setting in for Baltimore general manager Eric DeCosta.
On Friday, the Pittsburgh Steelers were able to re-sign star receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, but not before the Kansas City Chiefs and Ravens reportedly made bigger offers. Smith-Schuster, 24, has a 1,000-yard season in his career (2018) and last year had more than 100 receptions. Baltimore has also reportedly been in contact with free-agent Kenny Golladay, the top receiver on the market in many eyes.
Despite failing to reel in Smith-Schuster and Golladay (for the latter, to this point), the interest shows DeCostra was trying to upgrade arguably the weakest position group on the team. Last year, the Ravens were essentially banking on second-year man Hollywood Brown and veterans Dez Bryant and Willie Sneed to make plays down the stretch. The result was predictable.
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In the AFC Divisionals, the Ravens only managed three points on a windswept night against the Buffalo Bills. They were sent home with a 17-3 defeat.
Entering this offseason, the topic in Baltimore will be whether Jackson gets his massive extension. He’s eligible to be paid for the first time, and if the Ravens are going to shell out $40 million or more in the coming seasons, it stands to reason they must put elite talent on the outside for him.
In the coming weeks straight through the draft, the Ravens have no choice. Baltimore must use its cap space and draft picks wisely. They need to find at least one quality weapon for Jackson to target 100+ times.
For Jackson and the team, 2021 is a critical year. If they’re going to maximize it, Baltimore needs to strengthen itself on the perimeter and Jackson must then take advantage.
