Jerry Jeudy Trade Sets Market For Ravens Receiver Need

The Baltimore Ravens need a wide receiver. While the free agent market doesn't have the kind of top pass catcher they need, a recent trade should give the organization all the background they need to address the position.

The Baltimore Ravens should be having mixed feelings when it comes to the trade of former first-round pick Jerry Jeudy. 

On the one hand, having a talented receiver join a division rival is never a good thing. The Cleveland Browns are better now than they were yesterday and that'll make the Ravens' chances of winning the AFC North again, tougher. 

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On the other, Jeudy's small receiving price from Denver could open the door to the Ravens making a trade of their own - and for players far more dependable. 

The fifth and sixth-round picks heading to Denver for Jeudy surprised analysts a ton. While Jeudy has never been able to successfully break out from being a top pick out of Alabama, he has plenty of upside and is only 24. 

Now that the Ravens have seen what it will take to land a player of Jeudy's caliber, they can go to either the free agent market, or discuss different trades to improve their receiving position. Other players like Courtland Sutton, DeAndre Hopkins, Diontae Johnson, and Hunter Renfrow might all be in consideration for trades this offseason. 

Now that the market is set at a quality receiver earning back a fifth and sixth-round pick, the Ravens should be able to upgrade the receiver role. 

Ravens Roster Uncertainty Leaves Questions Over Super Bowl Aspirations

Baltimore has first-round phenom Zay Flowers returning but very little dependability on the outside. The organization has defended the likes of Rashod Bateman, but they'll need more if they hope to match other teams in the AFC like the Kansas City Chiefs, Cincinnati Bengals, and others. 

So while the path to the AFC North title has certainly gotten harder with Jeudy heading to Cleveland, the Ravens could end up being underrated winners in this whole conversation.