The Baltimore Ravens are reportedly set to meet with top NFL Draft prospect Anthony Richardson, with the franchise still not on the same page with star quarterback Lamar Jackson.
One-time NFL MVP Jackson, 26, is in the middle of a contract standoff with the Ravens, which resulted in the player requesting a trade away at the start of March. The Ravens also placed a non-exclusive franchise tag on Jackson, meaning the quarterback can negotiate with other teams, but Baltimore has the chance to match the offer that’s on the table.
Baltimore have also acquired Jackson’s friend and free agent wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr, 30. However, the two parties still remain far apart and a solution is not close to being found, with Jackson’s future still very much in the air despite OBJ’s arrival and public plea to work together.
And according to Ian Rapoport, the Ravens are covering their backs just in case by meeting with Florida Gators star Richardson on Wednesday, who is expected to be picked in the first round of this month’s NFL Draft.
The Ravens will pick 22nd overall, meaning they’re unlikely to be in a position to snap up the top-tier quarterbacks in the draft like Alabama Crimson Tide’s Bryce Young and CJ Stroud of the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Richardson, 20, starred for three years in college for Florida and in 2022, he passed for 2,549 yards and 17 touchdowns with nine interceptions on a 53.8 pass completion rate.
Jackson has reportedly issued his demands to the Ravens on who he’d like to see join the team for him to remain at the franchise. Alongside OBJ, Jackson would like the Ravens to snap up DeAndre Hopkins.
Hopkins reportedly remains available via trade, but it could be difficult for the team to fit both him and Beckham Jr's contracts into their salary cap, while also looking to keep hold of Jackson.
A number of teams, including the Washington Commanders, Atlanta Falcons and Indianapolis Colts have been linked with blockbuster moves for Jackson.
