Should Ravens Target Rival Wide Receiver In Free Agency?

Tyler Boyd has been a productive player in the slot for several years now. For Baltimore, their need for a wide receiver is such that the organization should consider bringing in a rival to help

With Odell Beckham Jr. writing his goodbye to the Baltimore Ravens, the organization's need for a wide receiver has become a glaring one. 

Zay Flowers' pristine rookie season was excellent, but Baltimore needs more reliable pass catchers if they are going to compete with other teams in their conference like the Chiefs, Bills, and Bengals. Luckily, despite the market drying up quickly at the position, the Ravens are in a strong position to find good value in free agency. 

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While the top name in Mike Williams may be headed elsewhere, there are still value receivers that fit what the organization is looking to do on offense. 

One of those names is former Bengals receiver Tyler Boyd. 

It may seem a little crazy to think a rival of the Ravens would want to leave the confines of Cincinnati to play in Baltimore, but the 2024 offseason has taught us differently. Baltimore safety Geno Stone found a new home with the Bengals and linebacker Patrick Queen signed with the Steelers. 

It's not out of the realm of possibility that the organization would want to poach a player on their biggest threat to the AFC North crown.

In eight seasons with Cincinnati, Boyd has caught over 500 passes for 6,000 yards, 31 touchdowns with just 21 drops. He's a dependable receiver in the slot whose production only dipped when the Bengals brought in Jamar Chase - an obvious sign they were moving away from Boyd's effectiveness. 

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Baltimore needs a player like a 29-year-old, though.  Boyd is a strong route-runner who can get himself open at a high clip like Flowers. Having two players who can do that will only help the organization in the long run as they get closer to the Draft as well. 

It may not feel right to bring in a player from a division rival, but Boyd might be just what Baltimore is looking for as a wide receiver addition.