Should Ravens consider trading for Cooper Kupp or Deebo Samuel this offseason?

Analyzing the pros and cons of trying to bring in one of the former All Pro NFC West wideouts on the chopping block.

With Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman both putting up career-best numbers in 2024, wide receiver is, at long last, no longer the most pressing need in the Ravens offense. Todd Monken’s heavy use of multiple tight ends makes wide receiver depth less important in Baltimore, but both Nelson Agholor and Tylan Wallace are set to hit free agency. As of now, the team’s WR3 is 2024 fourth-rounder Devontez Walker, who played all of 57 snaps on offense as a rookie.

In recent years, the Ravens have preferred to build up their wide receiving corps through the draft while signing a few veterans on short-term deals. This offseason, they could seriously upgrade their No. 3 receiver spot by going after Cooper Kupp or Deebo Samuel, who were both placed on the trade block in recent weeks. The NFC West pass-catchers would bring a veteran presence to the receiver room and fit right in Todd Monken’s dynamic offense. Here are the pros and cons of making a trade for either of these two players:

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Cooper Kupp

Photo by Tony Ding/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Pros

• When healthy, Kupp is still a dependable pass-catcher who can operate over the middle and win routes on the sidelines. His versatility and history as a willing and capable blocker would fit perfectly in Todd Monken’s offense.

• Kupp is a proven playmaker with plenty of big-game experience. He led the league in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns in 2021 and earned Super Bowl MVP honors later that year. In nine career playoff games, he’s recorded 56 catches for 742 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.
• If Kupp doesn’t have a strong market, the Ravens could likely nab him for Day 3 draft compensation with the Rams eating some of the remaining money on his contract. With 11 projected picks, Baltimore has the draft capital to get a deal done.
• Kupp could have a resurgent season in a tertiary role behind Bateman and Flowers. In addition to a lower physical burden, Kupp would also benefit from attention drawn by the other playmakers around him. Set to turn 32 in June, he would be the veteran leader in a room whose current oldest player under contract through next season is the 25-year-old Bateman.

Cons

• In his statement after being informed of the Rams’ intention to move him, Kupp stated that he is “healthy as ever and looking forward to playing elite football for years to come.” However, the eight-year veteran hasn’t played a full season since his historic 2021 campaign, missing 18 of a possible 54 games over that span including the playoffs. Even when he was healthy in 2024, he showed clear signs of regression with just 59.2 yards per game, his lowest since his rookie season.
• Even if the Rams assume some or the bulk of Kupp’s financial obligations for 2025, he will still have a sizable cap hit in 2025 with $19.85 million due in 2026. The Ravens might be able to work out something for this season, but that could push more money into the future.
• Kupp hasn’t been anything less than a No. 2 option for the last six seasons. In Baltimore, he’d face competition for targets from Flowers, Bateman, Mark Andrews, and Isaiah Likely, not to mention touches for Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson. If he’s looking to rebound from his injuries and rebuild his value, Baltimore may not be the place to rack up counting stats before looking for another contract.

Deebo Samuel

Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images

Pros

• From a playing style standpoint, the sixth-year veteran would be a tremendous schematic fit in a Monken offense that gets explosive skill players the ball in space. Samuel is two positions in one with an ability to contribute as both a receiver and ball carrier out of the backfield as another explosive rushing threat.

• Samuel’s incredible contact balance and run-after-catch ability make him a big play waiting to happen on any given play. That also makes him an excellent decoy in motion to open up space for his teammates elsewhere.
• Samuel could factor into the Ravens’ screen game, especially if Flowers misses time like he did in the playoffs. The 29-year-old could also contribute on special teams in the return game.

Cons

• Samuel has battled with injuries at times, missing eight games over the last three years, including the playoffs. He is coming off one of the least productive seasons of his career, despite carrying a heavy playmaking load given the team’s injuries at running back and wide receiver.
• Given that Samuel and his representatives are the ones who were given permission to seek out a trade partner, there’s a chance he doesn’t want to come the Baltimore without having certain stipulations met or guarantees secured. He has shown diva-like tendencies in the past and could become disgruntled if he isn’t as involved in the offensive game plan consistently from week to week even if the the team is on a roll.