Due to disappointing free agency, the Baltimore Ravens wide receiver

The NFL offseason can bring hope to fans, with the promise of new signings and improvements to a roster that might have fallen short the previous season. For the Baltimore Ravens, however, the 2023-2024 offseason did not bring the excitement or success many had hoped for, especially in the wide receiver department.

Coming off a season where Lamar Jackson’s passing game was often scrutinized due to a lack of receiving talent, many expected the Ravens to prioritize upgrading the wide receiver position in free agency. Despite the team’s general need for more dynamic playmakers on the outside, their efforts during free agency were, by most accounts, disappointing.

This article will examine why the Ravens’ free agency approach, specifically regarding wide receivers, failed to meet expectations, what moves they did or didn’t make, and how these decisions could impact the team’s ability to contend in the AFC.

The Need for Wide Receiver Help

Before diving into the specifics of free agency, it’s essential to understand why the Ravens’ wide receiver position was such a glaring need going into the 2023 offseason. Baltimore had several factors contributing to this need:

1. Inconsistent Production: The Ravens’ wide receivers have long been a weak point in their offense. Players like Marquise “Hollywood” Brown had provided some explosiveness, but his departure to Arizona in the 2022 offseason left a sizable gap in the passing game. Though Brown was no world-beater, his absence exposed just how thin the Ravens were at wide receiver.

   While veteran receivers like DeSean Jackson and Demarcus Robinson provided brief flashes of potential, the Ravens’ passing attack was inconsistent, often relying on tight ends like Mark Andrews or even Lamar Jackson’s own legs to generate offense. The lack of a true number one or even number two receiver left the Ravens’ offense one-dimensional at times.

2. Lamar Jackson’s Development: Lamar Jackson has always been known for his ability to make plays with his legs, but his passing game continues to be a subject of scrutiny. In the 2022-2023 season, Jackson showed some growth in his throwing ability, but without a consistent receiving corps, it was difficult to fully assess his potential as a pocket passer. The Ravens needed to give Jackson better weapons to help elevate his game and prove his worth as a franchise quarterback.
3. A Competitive AFC: The AFC had already become an arms race, with teams like the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, and Cincinnati Bengals loading up on offensive firepower. The Ravens could not afford to fall behind in this arms race, especially with a quarterback like Jackson on the roster who is capable of leading a high-powered offense, given the right weapons.

The Ravens’ Approach to Free Agency

The 2023 free agency period was filled with excitement, as multiple star wide receivers were available for teams looking to bolster their passing attacks. The Ravens, however, made a series of moves that many considered underwhelming.

1. Limited Aggression in Pursuing Big-Name Free Agents

When free agency kicked off, several marquee wide receivers hit the open market, and fans were hopeful that the Ravens would act aggressively. Players like Juju Smith-Schuster, Allen Robinson, and Odell Beckham Jr. were available and could have provided an immediate boost to the offense. However, the Ravens’ efforts to land a star wideout fell short for several reasons:

• Odell Beckham Jr.: In a move that shocked many, the Ravens did make a splash by signing Odell Beckham Jr. to a one-year, $15 million contract. While Beckham was once one of the NFL’s premier wide receivers, his career had been marred by injuries in recent years. Beckham’s last fully healthy season came in 2019 with the Cleveland Browns, and his performances since have been inconsistent. Despite this, the Ravens took a chance on him, hoping that he could be the playmaker they desperately needed. However, while Beckham’s name still carries weight, questions about his health and ability to contribute at a high level have lingered.
• The Bigger Issue: Depth over Star Power: The Ravens’ focus on signing Beckham was one of the few notable moves they made, but it wasn’t the star power that many had hoped for. Instead of making a serious push for a more reliable, younger option, such as DeAndre Hopkins, who was later traded to the Tennessee Titans, or Terry McLaurin (though he wasn’t available, the Ravens didn’t attempt to make any trades for a high-level talent), the Ravens settled on a high-risk, high-reward gamble with Beckham.

  Moreover, the team didn’t prioritize adding further depth at the position. Unlike other teams that were able to snag multiple contributors, the Ravens were content with the signing of Beckham and didn’t seem interested in aggressively pursuing other free agent options.

2. Failing to Make Significant Moves at the Position

Despite wide receiver being a priority, the Ravens didn’t make significant waves in the free agency market after Beckham’s signing. They retained some of their existing options, like Rashod Bateman, but it’s been clear that Bateman has struggled to stay healthy and hasn’t shown he’s capable of being a true number one wide receiver.

• Rashod Bateman’s Injury Concerns: Bateman entered the 2023 season with high expectations after being selected in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, but injuries have limited his ability to make an impact. A lingering foot injury left him sidelined for a significant portion of the 2022 season, and while he returned in 2023, there were still questions about his long-term health. The Ravens failed to acquire an experienced receiver to complement Bateman’s potential, leaving their receiver corps shaky at best.
• Limited Impact from Other Signings: The Ravens added some smaller names to their receiving corps, such as Nelson Agholor and Tylan Wallace, but none of these players appeared to be game-changers. Agholor, while having experience in New England and Philadelphia, is not the kind of high-impact player the Ravens needed to elevate their offense. Wallace, still young, hasn’t shown any signs of being a consistent threat in the league.

3. The Lamar Jackson Situation

While free agency decisions are often a reflection of a team’s long-term strategy, the situation surrounding Lamar Jackson’s contract saga had a considerable impact on the Ravens’ decision-making. Jackson was embroiled in a protracted contract dispute that dominated the headlines during the offseason. This uncertainty surrounding Jackson’s future undoubtedly played a role in the team’s reluctance to commit long-term resources to wide receivers, as they weren’t sure who their quarterback would be.

The lack of clarity around Jackson’s contract status meant the Ravens were somewhat limited in how much they could invest in the wide receiver position. They didn’t want to tie up too much money in players who might not even play with Jackson under center in the long term.

What Went Wrong in the Ravens’ Free Agency Approach

The Ravens’ free agency strategy ultimately failed to address the critical needs at the wide receiver position. A few key reasons for this failure stand out:

1. Conservative Approach to Spending

While some teams aggressively pursued free agent wide receivers, the Ravens were cautious, even hesitant, to spend big. While signing Beckham made headlines, the overall lack of high-impact moves at the position was frustrating for fans and analysts alike. It seemed like the Ravens were unwilling to make the significant financial investment needed to truly overhaul their receiving corps.

2. Misreading the Market:

The Ravens seemed to have an inflated sense of the value of their own players and didn’t address the concerns with their current roster. Despite Jackson’s contract status, other teams were much more aggressive, addressing their wide receiver needs head-on. The Ravens, instead, appeared to be comfortable taking risks with players who hadn’t proven themselves at the highest level.

3. Failing to Capitalize on Lamar Jackson’s Prime Years:

Lamar Jackson, despite his injury history, remains one of the most electrifying quarterbacks in the NFL. Yet, the Ravens failed to capitalize on his prime years by surrounding him with the necessary talent. The inability to add high-quality receivers during free agency could mean wasted seasons for Jackson, especially as the AFC continues to grow increasingly competitive.

Impact on the 2023 Season and Beyond

As the 2023 season approaches, the Ravens find themselves facing a significant challenge. With a wide receiver corps that is still underwhelming, their offensive success will largely depend on Jackson’s ability to elevate those around him and for other players, such as Rashod Bateman, to step up in big ways. However, given the limited improvement at wide receiver, it’s hard to envision the Ravens taking a substantial leap forward in an increasingly loaded AFC.

The Ravens must now hope that their limited free-agent moves, including the signing of Odell Beckham, can make enough of an impact to compensate for what has been a lackluster free agency approach. With Lamar Jackson in the fold, it’s still possible for the Ravens to be competitive in 2023, but the long-term success of their offense may be tied to how quickly they can address their receiving issues.

 A Missed Opportunity

While the Ravens’ offseason moves were not disastrous, they certainly represent a missed opportunity to improve the wide receiver position significantly. The lack of a truly impactful free-agent signing, combined with an underwhelming supporting cast, leaves the team in a precarious position heading into the new season.

As the Ravens continue to navigate their future, they must come to terms with the reality that surrounding Lamar Jackson with elite talent—especially at wide receiver—will be essential for achieving success in the modern NFL. If they don’t act quickly and decisively to improve this position, the gap between the Ravens and their AFC rivals will only widen.