Breaking: Ravens Closing In On Deal To Sign $15.2 Million AFC Pro Bowl WR, Per Reports

Breaking: Ravens Closing In On Deal To Sign $15.2 Million AFC Pro Bowl WR, Per Reports

Since Lamar Jackson became the starting quarterback, the Baltimore Ravens have been on the verge of a Super Bowl appearance.

Last season, the former Heisman Trophy winner won his second NFL Offensive MVP award, joining a select group of quarterbacks.

Jackson joins Patrick Mahomes, Joe Montana, Kurt Warner, and Steve Young as two-time MVP winners. Peyton Manning holds the all-time MVP record with five, followed by Aaron Rodgers (four) and three-time winners Brady, Jim Brown, Brett Favre, and former Baltimore Colts Hall of Fame quarterback Johnny Unitas.

However, no quarterback has ever won two MVP awards at such a young age. Jackson accomplished this in just six seasons as the Baltimore Ravens’ quarterback, and only three as a full-time starter who played the entire season.

Jackson led the Baltimore Ravens to the AFC North championship and a first-round bye, with 14 touchdown passes and only two interceptions in his final six regular-season games. He concluded the regular season with career highs in passing yards (3,678), completions (307), completion % (67.2), and average yards per completion (8), while tossing 24 touchdowns and only seven interceptions.

While Jackson’s pocket presence and accuracy improved, he remained an electrifying runner who made would-be tacklers miss with regularity. Jackson led the Ravens and all NFL quarterbacks with 821 yards rushing, averaging 5.5 yards per carry while continuing to stress defenses with his arm and mobility. In November, Jackson became the fastest quarterback in league history to reach 5,000 yards rushing, achieving that milestone 22 games faster than Michael Vick.

One thing is beyond question. Jackson is most effective when he is surrounded by dynamic offensive weapons. Last season, rookie wideout Zay Flowers emerged as one of the league’s best first-year receivers, and he soon became one of Jackson’s preferred targets. In 2023, the first-year NFL athlete contributed significantly to the Baltimore Ravens, catching 77 of 108 targets and accumulating 858 yards and five touchdowns.

Odell Beckham Jr. may not have lived up to expectations, but he still posed challenges for opposing defenders. He finished the season with 565 receiving yards and three touchdowns in 14 games, but he was a weapon that defensive coordinators had to prepare for on a weekly basis.

Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely, the tight end duo who combined for just under 1,000 yards receiving and 11 touchdowns in the 2023 regular season, will return in 2024, with Flowers.

However, if Jackson wants to lead the Ravens to the Super Bowl, they will need a genuine explosive wide receiver opposite Flowers to fill Beckham’s vacuum.

Baltimore Ravens Possible Trade Candidate For Courtland Sutton

Courtland Sutton, a Denver Broncos wide receiver, did not attend voluntary exercises earlier this week, leading to questions about his future. The organization appears to be cleaning house, and he is in the final year of his contract.

According to David Latham of Last Word on Sport, the Ravens are one among the teams who could be a “possible trade destination,” for Sutton.

With Beckham’s departure, the Baltimore Ravens lack a reliable wide receiver, leaving Zay Flowers as the sole viable option. With the arrival of Derrick Henry, the Ravens intend to rely on the run game, but they must provide quarterback Lamar Jackson with more options.

As Latham pointed out, “Lamar Jackson had two reliable receivers last year and won MVP honors, so a similar result could happen if the Ravens trade for Courtland Sutton.”

Jackson is coming off his second MVP season, and with a rookie Flowers and an aging Beckham, the potential acquisition of a touchdown threat in Sutton would only help the Baltimore Ravens offense.

“With Flowers getting open inside and Mark Andrews dominating the seam, Sutton can provide a much-needed outside threat,” Latham said in a statement.

According to Latham, “Baltimore needs as many weapons as they can get if they want to take down Kansas City, and Sutton could be the missing piece to this puzzle.”

Why Would The Denver Broncos Trade Courtland Sutton To The Baltimore Ravens?

Sutton was picked by the Broncos in the second round of the 2018 NFL draft, and while he has shown flashes of potential, including a Pro Bowl season, he has struggled to maintain regular output.

Sutton is reportedly searching for a new contract this offseason. The Broncos, who have already lost QB Russell Wilson and WR Jerry Jeudy this summer, may opt to continue their rebuilding efforts by acquiring draft picks.

“Despite his impressive reputation, the wide receiver only has one 1,000-yard season to his name, as he finished last year with 59 receptions for 772 yards,” Latham said in a statement.

Sutton signed a 4-year, $60.8 million contract in 2021 to lock him into Denver but with the way WR contracts have exploded he is looking for another payday.

Sutton is only 29 years old, so he still has a lot of terrific football ahead of him. Latham went on to say, “After all, they’ve already parted ways with Jeudy, Wilson, and star safety Justin Simmons, so what’s keeping Sutton around?”

This deal might benefit the Baltimore Ravens while allowing the Broncos to continue acquiring assets for their rebuild.

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