$69 Million WR Named a Potential Trade Target for Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens struggled offensively in the AFC Championship game against the Kansas City Chiefs. The only receiver to grab more than four receptions was youngster Zay Flowers.

The “Complete NFL Offseason Trade Guide for Every NFL Team” was posted by Bleacher Report, and Alex Ballentine is scouting the Ravens. The Ravens’ “Biggest Positions of Need” section included wide receiver.

Ballentine claimed that Seattle Seahawks WR Tyler Lockett may be a “Top Trade Target” for the Ravens in the 2024 offseason to boost the team’s wide receiver group.

Lockett is sliding down the depth chart in Seattle, and with former Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald coming over as head coach, he may be looking to move on from Lockett.

Ballentine stated, “Tyler Lockett is 31 years old, and the Seahawks recently picked Jaxon Smith-Njigba. They would save $8 million by dealing him before June 1 and $18 million after.” Seattle also has the dynamic DK Metcalf, so Lockett might be an expense that the Seahawks look to shed.

Tyler Lockett is one of the most consistent receivers in the league.
The 2024 season will mark Lockett’s tenth in the NFL. The Seahawks selected the WR in the third round of the 2015 draft.

Lockett was a productive number three receiver for the Seahawks for a few seasons, earning All-Pro First Team KR and All-Pro Second Team honors twice.

 

He burst out as a wide receiver in 2018 after securing a starting role, totaling 965 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. Lockett had four consecutive 1000-yard seasons for the Seahawks before finishing with 894 yards this season (would have led Ravens pass catchers in 2023).

The veteran also has a nose for the endzone, which Ravens receivers have not had in previous years. Lockett has scored double-digit touchdowns twice and has 50 receiving touchdowns since breaking out in 2018.
TE Andrews led the Ravens in touchdown catches this season with six, despite playing in only ten games. Flowers was the leading receiver, with five receiving touchdowns.

Another overlooked aspect of Lockett’s game is his availability on the field. Since entering the league, the wide receiver has appeared in at least 15 games per season, with the exception of 2016.

Ravens May Have A Thin WR Corps
The Ravens’ wide receiver corps is currently exceedingly sparse and barren. Besides WR Flowers, only Rashod Bateman and Tylan Wallace could be under contract.

Ballentine emphasizes that the Ravens must reload, “With Bateman reaching official bust status and Odell Beckham headed toward free agency.”

WR Nelson Agholor will also be a free agent this offseason. With Beckham potentially not returning to the Ravens, Baltimore might benefit from Lockett’s seasoned presence and expertise in the locker room.\

Lockett had the most receiving yards of any Ravens receiver and scored as many touchdowns as their leading receiver. He would be a valuable contributor, and his ability to find the endzone would benefit QB Lamar Jackson.

However, there is an elephant in the room, which is the Ravens’ cap problem.

Baltimore has only $5.7 million in cap space, and they still need to address their own free agents. The Ravens have some moves they can make to free up cap space, but GM Eric DeCosta will need to work out the math with Seattle to get the receiver under the cap.