Ravens wide receiver trade deadline targets after DeAndre Hopkins to Chiefs

Where could the Raven look to improve the room, if they even need to?

The Ravens offense has been electric. Lamar Jackson is continuing to play like an MVP, Derrick Henry is on a near 2,000 rushing-yard pace, and as usual, the Ravens’ tight ends have been steady and reliable. In an unusual sight, the Ravens wide receivers have been one of their best units. Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman have been electric and a true dynamic duo. Flowers is 11th in receiving yards and ninth in yards-after-catch. Bateman is second in overall separation percentage and first in separation against press according to PFF.

The other unusual twist is the Ravens are an offense-first team. The defense has struggled a lot this season, putting a lot of pressure on Jackson and the offense to put up points in order to win. This adds the question, do the Ravens have enough on offense to make a playoff run without an elite defense? Despite the performances so far, fans are still asking for more wide receivers.

Nearly 50% of the Ravens plays are run out of 12, 21, or 22 personnel. Only 23.3% of their plays are run out of 11 personnel, the typical three wide receiver sets, compared to the league average of 51.5%. Funnily enough, 11 personnel is the most used group, beating out 12 personnel at 21.3%. But the Ravens hardly use three wide receivers at once. They’ve shown the ability to play from behind despite it.

But if the Ravens had to use 11 personnel, they could use an upgrade. None of the wide receivers behind Flowers and Bateman have shown much in the form of dynamic ability. If the Ravens are unsure about their ability to improve their defense, an upgrade at the wide receiver spot might be necessary.

It’s important to remember two things when discussing a wide receiver trade for the Ravens. One, while the Ravens may go get a guy with this skill set, jump ball/contested catch ability isn’t too important. Lamar doesn’t not have a strong history of throwing contested catch balls to wide receivers, those throws typically go to Mark Andrews or Isaiah Likely in the tight end room. Two, the goal of a trade would likely be to find an outside perimeter body to move Zay Flowers into the slot where he’s been unguardable.

Trade for Courtland Sutton

Another name often linked to Baltimore, Sutton has been in talks to be traded from Denver for multiple years. Sutton was in talks again early this season but despite the chatter, it seems unlikely for Denver to trade him with Bo Nix keeping the Broncos competitive. Sutton also has a massive $20 million cap hit for 2025 that might be a tough sell for some teams. It’s also hard to envision the Ravens making a move that would cut into Rashod Bateman’s snaps with the season he’s having and the way they talk about him.

All that being said, if the Ravens did acquire Sutton, it would be an immediate boost for the offense. Sutton is an incredible wide receiver and trying to defend all three of Sutton, Flowers, and Bateman while worrying about Lamar Jackson would put any defense in hell. The Ravens would arguably have the best offense in the NFL at that point, if they don’t already.

Trade for Cooper Kupp

Kupp is a surprise trade candidate this season. But the Rams aren’t doing well and the news broke this week that the Rams are indeed shopping Cooper Kupp, including willing to take on salary to facilitate a deal. That means there’s a good chance the Rams really want Kupp off the roster, for whatever reason.

Kupp is a phenomenal receiver. He has playoff and Super Bowl experience. But I don’t think this is a good fit. A second-round pick is a heavy price to pay and even if the Rams take on some salary, Kupp still has cap hits of $29 and $27 million coming up in 2025 and 2026. I also agree with Reception Perception founder Matt Harmon, I don’t think most teams, including the Ravens, would know how to use him. He also doesn’t fit the profile of what the Ravens should be looking for in a wide receiver. His age, contract, and very unique role doesn’t spell a great fit with the Ravens.

Trade for Diontae Johnson

Johnson isn’t the first name that might pop into Ravens fans’ heads, but he might be the best fit. Johnson is an underrated receiver who’s a premier separator, something Jackson loves when throwing to his receivers. Johnson is also capable of make tough concentration catches and while he might not be the typical contested-catch artist, he is capable of making the play, more often than most of the Ravens’ wide receiver core.

Johnson is currently stuck on a very bad Panthers team, in the last year of his deal. His cap hit is $10 million so a little pricey, but the draft capital needed to acquire him won’t be more than a fourth-rounder at most. He’s not a big enough name to take snaps from Flowers or Bateman, but good enough to be a definite upgrade over Nelson Agholor as the third guy, and talented enough to fill in to a bigger role if Flowers or Bateman have to miss time.

Sign Mike Williams

While Mike Williams isn’t worth trading any draft picks for, especially with his cap number, there’s a chance the Jets may cut him after trading for Davante Adams. If so, Williams offers a skillset that’s not on the roster right now. He wouldn’t command a massive snap count or salary and would get a deep ball once or twice a week that could help keep teams from stacking the box. Williams wouldn’t take snaps from Flowers or Bateman but could offer an upgrade to Agholor and be good depth for an injury.

Verdict

Of the areas being discussed for the Ravens to upgrade at the trade deadline, a wide receiver should be the last on the list. The Ravens offense is first in total yards and rushing yards, top five in points per game, and top 10 in passing yards. They have a dynamic group of guys. Having a third wide receiver behind Flowers and Bateman shouldn’t be the top priority. Flowers and Bateman have 74 combined targets. The rest of the wide receivers have 17. If the Ravens want another wide receiver to emerge, they should give guys like Tylan Wallace, Devontez Walker, or even Dayton Wade a chance before spending capital.

If they do choose to acquire a receiver, trading a day three draft pick for Diontae Johnson might be the best fit concerning role, talent, depth, and ability to fill in incase of injury.