Ebony Bird
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Baltimore Ravens: Pros and cons of 5 notable receiver free agents

By Chris Schisler

Jan 3, 2021; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Marvin Jones (11) scores a touchdown as Minnesota Vikings free safety Anthony Harris (41) defends during the first quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2021; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Marvin Jones (11) scores a touchdown as Minnesota Vikings free safety Anthony Harris (41) defends during the first quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /
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Baltimore Ravens
Nov 1, 2020; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (19) catches a pass as Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey (44), inside linebacker Patrick Queen (48) and cornerback Marcus Peters (24) defend during the second half at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

Could the Ravens steal from a division rival?

You may be thinking that the Pittsburgh Steelers aren’t going to let JuJu Smith-Schuster go. You may be right, though it’s not unrealistic that he’s on another team in 2021. Smth-Schuster might be Ben Roethlisberger’s favorite target, yet the Steelers are in a bad salary cap situation. That’s what could open the window for Baltimore to steal from a division rival.

This would be the move that would turn the most heads. It’s one of those things that people would be genuinely surprised over. It doesn’t seem like a Ravens move. It would be the most high-profile player flip in the history of the Ravens-Steelers rivalry, other than maybe when Rod Woodson went from Pittsburgh to Baltimore.

Why doesn’t this seem like a Ravens move? It’s because this would be a risk. Smith-Schuster is a player who wants the ball and he wants it a lot. Smith-Schuster is coming off a season where he had 97 receptions. It’s a major question whether or not he would come to an offense where the run game is going to be the featured element of the attack.

If the Ravens did this they would be adding a player in his prime and a former Pro Bowl receiver. Jackson to Smith-Schuster has a bit of a ring to it.

A change of scenery could be a good thing for Smith-Schuster. It could bring him some focus. This would be a more polarizing way to go about signing a player for upside than going with Corey Davis.

Smith-Schuster could be a very productive player if the Ravens decide to have a quick-strike offense. That may be the way to go with Lamar Jackson. A quick passing game could reinforce mechanics and timing through repetition for Jackson.

Smith-Schuster dominating on short and intermediate routes could make Marquise Brown a very viable deep threat. Look at the pros and cons. It’s interesting with Smith-Schuster the advantages almost weigh as much as the risks.

3. <h2>Pros:</h2> <ul> <li>Prolific big-play receiver with potential to be the number one receiver</li> <li>Has productive seasons on the resume</li> <li>Can play any wide receiver position and does well in the slot</li> <li>Used to AFC North football</li> <li>When channeled his emotions make him a spark plug for an offense</li> </ul> <h2>Cons:</h2> <ul> <li>Can be a little too about him and has a bit of an attitude</li> <li>May get complacent in a run-heavy offense</li> <li>Will have some drops here and there</li> <li>Devin Duvenray could become what Smith-Schuster is now for a much more affordable price</li> </ul>. WR. Pittsburgh Steelers. JUJU SMITH-SCHUSTER

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