The Baltimore Ravens are still very much in talent acquisition mode, especially as they try to add to one of the best wide receiver rooms they have had in years. Their latest move adds more competition to a fierce fight at the back end of the roster.
The Ravens agreed to terms with wide receiver Keith Kirkwood, who has been in the league since the 2018 season. At his best, Kirkwood was able to make some big plays for Drew Brees. Will he be able to replicate that for Lamar Jackson?
This move comes just a few days after the Ravens parted ways with undrafted free agent wide receiver Tayvion Robinson. There's a good chance Kirkwood makes it down to the final cut days, as his pedigree in the NFL, limited though it may be, could help him beat out
Ravens sign WR Keith Kirkwood. https://t.co/yfpq9TIJ6W
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) June 28, 2024
Baltimore Ravens sign veteran WR Keith Kirkwood
Kirkwood may be best remembered for his rookie season, as he was a semi-regular contributor for Brees' New Orleans Saints. 13 of his 24 career catches and 209 of his 294 career receiving yards came during his rookie year with New Orleans.
Since that season, Kirkwood has bounced between the Saints and division rival Carolina Panthers (helmed by Kirkwood's college coach Matt Rhule). Kirkwood played at least 44% of snaps twice in his career, as New Orleans seemed to like what the bigger veteran brought to the table as an underneath threat. Will he be good enough to make Baltimore's roster?
Four wide receiver spots (Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, Nelson Agholor, Devontez Walker) seemed to be set in stone. Names vying for some of the final spots include former fourth-round pick Tylan Wallace, quarterback convert Malik Cunningham, and recent undrafted free agent sparkplug Dayton Wade.
Kirkwood faces long odds when it comes to making the roster, but he will provide another extra veteran mixed into the group of players trying to sneak their way onto the roster. If the preseason exposes some of Wade and Cunningham's warts, Kirkwood might have a better shot at making it.