Pundit Says Ravens Should 'Take Another Swing' for a Top Wide Receiver Prospect
For the Ravens offense to return to being one of the NFL's most explosive units, there will need to be more production from the wide receiver corps beyond two-time Pro Bowler Zay Flowers.
While bolstering the pass rush and getting more consistency in the trenches on both sides of the ball are regarded as the Ravens' top priorities, Sports Illustrated’s Matt Verderame contended that finding another receiver to pair with Flowers this offseason is crucial.
"For years, the Ravens have tried to build a quality receiver room for Lamar Jackson," Verderame wrote. "They spent first-round picks on Marquise 'Hollywood' Brown, Rashod Bateman and Zay Flowers. Only Flowers developed into a star, catching 86 passes for 1,211 yards and five touchdowns last season. The second-leading receiver on Baltimore in 2025? Free-agent DeAndre Hopkins, with 330 yards."
Verderame said it's possible the solution could be found in this year's draft.
"In a draft that's loaded with top-end talent at wideout, General Manager Eric DeCosta should take another swing," Verderame wrote. "Picking at No. 14, there's a possibility that one or two of Makai Lemon, Carnell Tate and Jordyn Tyson will be available. If one is, DeCosta should strongly consider placing them opposite Flowers."
ESPN Proposes Hypothetical Trade Offer From Ravens to Acquire A.J. Brown
The Ravens continue to be mentioned as one of the top landing spots for wide receiver A.J. Brown if the Philadelphia Eagles trade him.
ESPN analysts came up with hypothetical trade offers for Brown from the Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Buffalo Bills, and New England Patriots. For the Ravens, Ben Solak proposed they send a 2027 second-round pick, a 2027 fourth-round pick (conditional third-rounder), and Bateman to the Eagles for Brown.
"By replacing Bateman with Brown, the Ravens can give Brown a true WR1's volume and use Zay Flowers as a big-play WR2 -- something that fits his skill set more," Solak wrote. "In Philadelphia, DeVonta Smith is clearly destined to be WR1; Bateman represents a classic buy-low move from [Eagles GM Howie] Roseman on a player with high draft capital but modest career production.
"Figuring out a trade return for Brown is tough, as he doesn't have many prime years left and will be expensive for the Eagles to trade pre-June 1. So I'm offering a deal centered on 2027 draft capital, including a conditional selection based on reaching 1,000 yards and making the playoffs in 2026."
Assessing each team's hypothetical proposal, ESPN's Tim McManus concluded that the Eagles would reject all of them.
"Why would I want to make these teams better and mine worse? That has essentially been Roseman's public stance on the situation," McManus wrote. "Brown is the type of player you try to acquire, not get rid of -- and it makes total sense. So if I'm the Eagles here, I'm going to do everything in my power to make the situation work -- and so long as the hope outweighs the doubt, I'm rejecting all four proposals."
Ravens Target Trenches in Early Rounds of Pro Football Focus' Mock Draft
Pro Football Focus’ Josh Liskiewitz conducted a seven-round Ravens mock draft and had the team focusing on the trenches in the early rounds.
Here's a look at Liskiewitz's selections for Baltimore's first two picks:
Round 1, Pick 14: DL Caleb Banks, Florida
"Banks lost most of his senior season at Florida to a broken foot, but the quickness he shows at his size suggests he can develop into an outstanding pro. He began to break out late in his 2024 campaign, recording three sacks, 17 total pressures and a 16.7% pass-rush win rate over his final three games against LSU, Ole Miss and Florida State."
Round 2, Pick 45: OG Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon
"Pregnon transferred to Oregon in 2025 after starting the previous two seasons at USC. Over three seasons as a college starter, he allowed just one sack and eight quarterback hits in pass protection."
Tyler Linderbaum Is No. 1 in CBS Sports' Free Agent Rankings
Center Tyler Linderbaum is universally regarded as one of the top five pending free agents in this year's class. In the opinion of CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco, the three-time Pro Bowler is second to none.
Frisco placed Linderbaum at No. 1 in his ranking of the top 100 free agents, ahead of players such as Cincinnati Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson and Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens.
"[Linderbaum] is one of the best in the league and recent Super Bowls once again have taught us the value of good line play – and the value of a center who can make calls to identify the funky looks that have infiltrated the NFL," Prisco wrote.
Prisco said it would be unwise for the Ravens to let Linderbaum hit the open market. DeCosta made it clear in April when the Ravens declined Linderbaum's fifth-year option that the intention was to sign him to an extension.
"If the Ravens let him go, it's because they don't think paying $20 million per year or thereabouts for a center is a smart decision, and they have too many financial commitments elsewhere to justify it," The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec wrote.
Other Ravens free agents in Prisco's rankings were: tight end Isaiah Likely (No. 22), outside linebacker Dre'Mont Jones (No. 37), safety Alohi Gilman (No. 41), tight end Charlie Kolar (No. 59), and safety Ar'Darius Washington (No. 99).
