5 Baltimore Ravens free agents that won’t be back in 2022
By Justin Fried
2. Sammy Watkins, WR, Ravens
Eyeing additional wide receiver depth, the Ravens signed veteran Sammy Watkins to a fully-guaranteed one-year, $5 million contract in the offseason.
Watkins was never expected to be “the guy” in Baltimore. Instead, he was brought in to provide the team with an experienced starter who can stretch the field and strike fear into opposing defenses.
The former fourth overall pick has had his moments this season. He showed out in Week 1 finishing with 96 yards in his debut, including a 49-yard reception.
But as the weeks have gone on, Watkins has become more and more of an afterthought, due in part to him missing a few games due to injury.
It’s not that Watkins is a bad player, and it’s not that he hasn’t been a fine contributor. But the Ravens will likely turn elsewhere as they address the wide receiver position in the offseason.
Marquise Brown and Rashod Bateman are here for the long haul. Devin Duvernay has taken major strides in his second NFL season. And young players such as James Proche and Tylan Wallace can continue to be developed.
Given the Ravens’ tight cap situation, it’s unlikely they look to bring Watkins back barring any type of late-season stretch of dominance.