The Baltimore Ravens heard their name linked to former Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones plenty of times before he was traded to the Tennessee Titans. The fit on paper made sense, but it seems like there were too many other factors that prevented Baltimore from making a move for the star pass catcher.
When naming one trade that each NFL team should offer before 2021 training camp begins, Chris Roling of Bleacher Report proposed that the Ravens should call about another top receiving option, this time Michael Thomas of the New Orleans Saints. However, the assets that Roling proposes Baltimore give up is are hefty, as the package is a first-round pick in 2022 as well as a second-round selection in 2023. When explaining his reasoning, Roling said that the team should never stop looking for ways to build around quarterback Lamar Jackson.
“Like any team with a star quarterback, the Baltimore Ravens should never stop looking for upgrades around Lamar Jackson, especially in an AFC with names like Patrick Mahomes.”
“And especially if there’s even a slight chance a superstar like Michael Thomas might be available.”
Roling realizes that the trade isn’t likely, but still believes that the worst thing that can happen is the Saints say no.
“This one is unlikely, of course, but the worst thing the Saints can do is say no. And upgrading on Sammy Watkins with Thomas and pairing him with Marquise Brown and rookie Rashod Bateman would strike some fear in the rest of the AFC, to say the least.”
While there’s no doubt that Thomas would represent an instant upgrade to the Ravens’ wide receiver room. However, giving up two high-end draft selections to acquire someone who has an extremely hefty contract puts Baltimore back in the same situation they were in with a potential deal for Jones, just with a younger player.
The messages that the Ravens have been sending recently seem to indicate that they already trust who they have at the wide receiver position. While Roling is right in the fact that Baltimore should never stop looking for upgrades, a deal for Thomas seems highly unlikely at this point.
