OTL: Opener is Still a Long Way Off, But….

To borrow from the descriptor given by Jim Nantz regarding The Masters, it is “A tradition unlike any other.”

Like clockwork, the NFL buying spree of the opening days of free agency gets the nation’s football fans buzzing. And, like clockwork, Ravens fans complain that their beloved team is not making it rain on every receiver, pass-rusher and… did I already say “receiver?”

But it’s a fool’s errand, getting this upset over relative lethargy at the onset of the buying spree. The team won’t start playing games that matter until September, and they will use free agency, the draft, sifting through players cut by other organizations and probably a trade or two to get their roster to a place where they feel they can compete.

That being said, there are some pretty glaring concerns with this roster as we look at it right now, and it’s plenty obvious that chief among them is at quarterback.

Will they come to terms with Lamar Jackson? Will this linger deep into the summer, basically paralyzing the team from doing anything of note? Will there be a trade at some point? And, if he leaves, who will be the signal-caller in 2023 and beyond?

It looks like the Ravens might already be looking at one possibility.

A list of #Ravens pre-draft visits from Walter Football as of today (3/23): https://t.co/8YrTTtIBj8 pic.twitter.com/XgkbKQHuJr

— Tony Lombardi (@RSRLombardi) March 23, 2023

Athletic wunderkind Anthony Richardson would bring some similarities to Jackson with him to Charm City as far as his running skills and powerful arm goes, but he is a bit raw still. Perhaps pairing him with a Tyler Huntley or a bridge quarterback (please, for the love of God, not Carson Wentz) could be a recipe that could keep the Ravens afloat this season while they prep for the future.

It’s obvious Richardson has an affinity for Jackson’s game, as well.

Florida QB Anthony Richardson says he started calling himself “Cam Jackson” in the 11th grade.

Says that he is a mix between Lamar Jackson and Cam Newton. pic.twitter.com/pAqeTFYohk

— Ravens Nation LIVE (@LIVERavenNation) March 22, 2023

A dark horse that’s developing for Jackson’s services is Minnesota, where their quarterback is in the final year of guaranteed money and some observers believe the Vikings should cut bait now and land their future quarterback while the iron is hot.

The Vikings are a “dark horse” team to land QB Lamar Jackson, per @JFowlerESPN

The Vikings would need an offer sheet for Lamar, and if accepted, would need to give up 2 firsts to acquire him.

My opinion: I would not do it. I would rather draft a guy and use money elsewhere. pic.twitter.com/5JETcaZd00

— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) March 22, 2023

I’m not sure how that one would work, but it certainly could involve Kirk Cousins coming to Baltimore with a package of picks. If the Ravens could use Cousins as a bridge while developing a promising rookie… sure. I can see it. If Cousins is the long-term solution, well, not so much.

But who will catch the ball?

Of course, it’s not just Jackson that has Ravens fans and observers a bit nervous. Whoever is throwing the ball will need someone to throw it to, and it is fairly obvious the Ravens don’t have what they need there to be major contenders next season. Mark Andrews is terrific. Zero questions there. Isaiah Likely showed enough to allow us to believe he could be that other big option in the middle of the field. Rashod Bateman has teased us with his skills.

And that’s it.

Many thought disgruntled Jets receiver Elijah Moore could be a trade option, but that’s no longer on the table.

Jets trading WR Elijah Moore to Browns. (via @RapSheet) pic.twitter.com/6Agmz58nXz

— NFL (@NFL) March 22, 2023

Arizona’s DeAndre Hopkins would be my personal top choice, and there is certainly some smoke around the potential of him being traded away this offseason.

Update: The #Cardinals will not be able to get their initial asking price of a "2nd round pick and another asset" in a trade for WR DeAndre Hopkins, per @AlbertBreer

He thinks it will be closer to the #Cowboys Brandin Cooks trade of a 5th and 6th round picks. pic.twitter.com/XJezi2iFlo

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) March 22, 2023

But with limited draft capital this year, and with some significant holes yet to be filled (Hello, cornerback!), the Ravens would probably have to be pretty creative here — maybe a player and a pick, and then a trade back on draft night to replenish the picks?

Another receiver who is seemingly a trade possibility is Jerry Jeudy, the route-running aficionado from Denver who showed some early struggles before coming on big time at the end of last season.

Who should make the trade for Jerry Jeudy? pic.twitter.com/NJbVe9T1cH

— PFF (@PFF) March 17, 2023

This is another one I could get behind. Bateman and Jeudy are both good route-runners, and would appear to team well with what Andrews and Likely are bringing to the table. But, again… the Ravens lack draft picks this year, and we know that’s something that doesn’t make the brain trust at The Castle happy.

The more I look at this situation, the more I’m inclined to believe the Ravens’ best move this offseason, outside of quarterback, is to trade for a receiver, take one of the talented corners in the draft and replenish some other holes with a late-round vertical receiver and some undrafted free agents to provide depth at other areas of need.

But it’s a tough ask in a season of a poor receiver market in free agency and a lack of capital for the Ravens.

Stay tuned.