Why the Baltimore Ravens are still interested in Jarvis Landry
The Baltimore Ravens are one of the teams still linked to trade talks with the Miami Dolphins for Jarvis Landry. Here is why the Ravens are still tempted:
I think the Baltimore Ravens set their sights on Jarvis Landry the second the Bengals defeated them on New Year’s Eve. Landry didn’t become available through free agency; the Dolphins foiled that hoping to get a trade brewing. A trade with the Dolphins figures to cost the Ravens at least a first round pick and they would still have to iron out a contract. That’s a lot of capital for one player, for a team with several needs. Why are the Ravens still so tantalized by Landry?
The Baltimore Ravens and Chicago Bears are among at least five teams to talk with Jarvis Landry’s agent about a potential trade for the Pro Bowl receiver, according to a source. No deal is imminent at this time.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 5, 2018
Landry could be the center piece of the offense:
The Ravens need a wide receiver, and the best place to start is with a security blanket for Joe Flacco. It may be frustrating that Flacco needs this as he’s been a starter since 2008, but he needs a guy to lean on. Jarvis Landry caught over 100 passes on a badly quarterbacked Dolphins team. Landry is surely a guy that you can lean on.
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The Ravens have a history of acquiring veteran wide receivers and having it work out. First it was Derrick Mason, then it was Anquan Boldin. Steve Smith Sr. came in 2014 and gave the Ravens two years of everything he had. Now, the Ravens have a chance to get Landry. This is a big deal because Landry is more of a play-maker than any of the names I just mentioned, no matter how much affection we have for them. Landry is also in his prime, which is a big deal.
Do you know what the Ravens are not known for? They’re not known for drafting talent at the wide receiver position. Drafting a receiver is a scary proposition for Ozzie Newsome. Breshad Perriman and all the other misses weigh heavily on Newsome’s record. If the Ravens view Landry as their one way to get a sure thing at a position they usually miss the mark on, it’s not hard to understand that.
The Bottom Line:
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Personally, I think the Ravens are better off keeping their draft picks and signing a free agent or two. This argument is especially compelling now that Allen Robinson may hit the open market. The apple of my eye is Courtland Sutton, who I have ranked as the NFL Draft’s best receiver. That being said, it is hard to knock the Ravens for at least looking into the Landry trade.