Analyst says Ravens need an impact WR ‘in the worst way’

The Baltimore Ravens may have won their "Thursday Night Football" matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week, but it cost them receiver Rashod Bateman and tight end Mark Andrews.

And with the NFL trade deadline less than 24 hours away, one NFL analyst believes it would behoove the Ravens to give quarterback Lamar Jackson another weapon for the stretch run.

“There’s no way the Ravens will keep pace with the Chiefs and the Bills if they don’t get Lamar Jackson some more consistent and impactful weapons,” The Athletic’s Mike Jones recently wrote. “[Jerry] Jeudy, who has averaged 17 yards or better per catch in two of his three NFL seasons, definitely helps fill this need. Jeudy has been mentioned as a potential target for Green Bay, but the Packers brass and Rodgers may prefer a veteran. The Giants and Rams also have been mentioned as potential destinations for Jeudy, but Baltimore and Jackson need someone like him in the worst way.”

Andrews, who has no specific timetable for a return, and Bateman, who is expected to miss a few weeks, are Baltimore’s leading and third-leading receivers, respectively. Demarcus Robinson and Dennis Duvernay are the only other receivers on the Ravens roster with 25 or more targets and 15 or more receptions.

Jeudy ranks second on the Broncos in targets (53) receptions (30), and yards, and he leads the team with three touchdown grabs.

After dealing 2023 second- and fifth-round draft picks to the Chicago Bears for linebacker Roquan Smith, Baltimore doesn’t have a second-round pick to offer in any potential trade. The Ravens do, however, have picks in every other round and they’ll keep whichever fifth-round pick ends up being lower between their own and New England’s.