Lamar Jackson recruiting DK Metcalf to join the Ravens

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson isn’t being subtle about who he wants to play with in 2022 and recently propositioned DK Metcalf to join the team.

After Baltimore lost out on Bobby Wagner, Metcalf marks the second Seattle Seahawks player the Ravens could have an eye on, although the 24-year-old wide receiver coming to Baltimore feels much less realistic.

The Seahawks have said they “intend” for Metcalf to stay in Seattle, which mimics the phrasing they used regarding Russell Wilson when he and the Broncos were in trade talks. Given the Seahawks’ current rebuilding era, Metcalf himself may want out of the organization, and teams could feasibly land him for the right price.

Let’s just say weirder things have happened this offseason.

Lamar Jackson has been doing his part to lure the talented wideout to Baltimore, but Eric DeCosta and the Ravens’ front office don’t seem the type to make a splashy trade for a receiver they don’t necessarily need.

Lamar Jackson wants DK Metcalf to come to the Baltimore Ravens in 2022

With a young receiver room of Rashod Bateman and Marquise Brown, Baltimore could use an extra starting-caliber player, but not at Metcalf’s exorbitant price.

If Metcalf is for sale, the New York Jets would likely have the best shot at landing him, as they were also in the running to nab former Kansas City Chiefs star Tyreek Hill earlier this offseason. New York have ample cap space and badly need a starting wideout; on the other hand, Baltimore have less spending power and also have direr needs at other positions like the pass-rush.

Not to mention the amount of draft capital the Ravens would have to give up to secure a top-caliber receiver like DK Metcalf — it wouldn’t be as much as the Hill trade, but Baltimore would still need to mortgage a chunk of its future, and the franchise sure does love its draft picks.

There’s no question that Metcalf would elevate the Ravens’ passing game for many years and perhaps give Jackson his favorite new target (move over, Mark Andrews), but we just don’t see this one happening.

Metcalf could always spurn the Jets and instead look for a playoff-contender to join in 2022, and if so, Baltimore would gleefully welcome him with “open arms.”

For now, let rumors be rumors and let Metcalf sort out his future in Seattle.