Ravens could explore A.J. Green trade for veteran WR depth

It’s no secret that the Baltimore Ravens could be in the market for wide receiver help in the coming days. Why not kick the tires on a familiar foe playing out the final years of his career?

Seven-time Pro Bowl wide receiver A.J. Green has plummeted down the depth chart in Arizona and could find himself on the move within the next week prior to the Nov. 1 trade deadline.

While far from the dominant player he used to be, Green’s combination of size, physicality, and veteran experience could be just what this Ravens offense needs.

And given that his current role with the Cardinals has diminished to the point that he didn’t even play a single snap this past week, it’s clear he could be had for cheap.

Green wouldn’t solve the Ravens’ wide receiver issues, but he would be an accomplished, experienced option that would cost almost nothing to acquire.

Why A.J. Green could make sense for the Ravens

The fourth overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, Green spent the first nine years of his career with the Cincinnati Bengals where he had many notable matchups with the Ravens.

In 13 career games against the Ravens, Green amassed 53 catches for 886 yards and nine touchdowns. He’s scored more touchdowns against the Ravens than any other NFL team.

But the A.J. Green in 2022 is far from the player he was in his prime, as evidenced by his decreasing role in Arizona. Still, with a dirt-cheap cap hit, Green could make sense if the Ravens aren’t looking to give up anything substantial at the deadline.

In five games this season, Green has hauled in just 10 catches for 56 yards. He’s at best WR4 or WR5 in Arizona now, even after Marquise Brown’s injury.

Still, for a Ravens team lacking any sort of wide receiver depth behind Rashod Bateman, he would be an upgrade. Green could provide depth alongside Devin Duvernay, Demarcus Robinson, James Proche, and Tylan Wallace and give the team some much-needed size and physicality.

The Ravens don’t really have a receiver that can do the things Green does even at his age. And his 11 years of NFL experience could go a long way in a very inexperienced and unproven wide receiver corps.

A.J. Green is a shell of his former self in 2022, but he makes sense as a trade target for the Ravens given his experience and expected price tag. Don’t rule out an AFC North return for the longtime Bengals wide receiver.