The Baltimore Ravens searching for wide receivers in the offseason is a tale as old as time. The Ravens have hit on some receivers they've acquired, but for every Kevin Johnson, Jeremy Maclin, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Lee Evans, Michael Crabtree, and Dez Bryant, there’s a Qadry Ismail, Derrick Mason, Anquan Boldin, Mike Wallace, Steve Smith, and Marcus Robinson. Nelson Agholor was solid in 2023 but struggled in 2024.
Baltimore has its top two receivers in Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman, but they could use another to give Lamar Jackson more weapons, especially with Agholor hitting free agency and the team swinging and missing on Diontae Johnson.
Cooper Kupp and Deebo Samuel are the top two names available on the trade market, but Eric DeCosta would have to make a bold move and give up top draft picks to get that done. Tee Higgins is the top free-agent receiver on the board, but that seems very unlikely. However, there are some free-agent options the team could land on good-value deals.
Stefon Diggs
This probably felt unlikely just a few years ago when he was lighting it up with the Minnesota Vikings and then the Buffalo Bills, but Diggs is now at an interesting point in his career. Soon to be 32 years old and coming off a torn ACL, the Maryland native might have to settle for a one-year deal if his free agency plays out that way. The Houston Texans, who acquired Diggs from Buffalo, might want him back after Tank Dell's injury during the playoffs, so they’ll still be in play to re-sign him.
Diggs is still a capable big-play receiver, coming off six straight 1,000-yard seasons with 52 touchdowns from 2018-2023. If Baltimore can sign him, he could be a steal.
Brandin Cooks
Brandin Cooks is probably one of the more underrated wide receivers in the NFL. He’s never found a permanent home in the league and has bounced around five teams over his 11-year career. However, Cooks has remained productive with his speed and ability to find the end zone.
Cooks has spent the last two years with the Dallas Cowboys. He was hampered in 2024 due to a knee injury that cost him seven games, but in 2023, even after suffering an MCL sprain, he notched 54 receptions, 657 yards, and 8 touchdowns. In 2020 and 2021 with Houston, Cooks had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. He’ll be 32 years old, but his speed could be a nice complement to Flowers.
Darius Slayton
If the Ravens want to extend a contract beyond one year for a wide receiver, Darius Slayton is a solid option. Slayton has been a reliable second or third receiver for the New York Giants since entering the league in 2019, and he’s done that without ever having a franchise quarterback.
With the emergence of Malik Nabers and Wan'Dale Robinson, Slayton may have to find a new home in 2025. In 2024, he only found the end zone twice but still managed 573 receiving yards. In 2023, he had a career-best 770 receiving yards. He’s also a good blocker, a notable skill to have as a receiver. At 28 years old, Slayton may still have his best football ahead of him, making him a strong pickup for Baltimore.