Ought to Ravens contemplate buying and selling for Cooper Kupp or Deebo Samuel this offseason?

With Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman each placing up career-best numbers in 2024, huge receiver is, in the end, not essentially the most urgent want within the Ravens offense. Todd Monken’s heavy use of a number of tight ends makes huge receiver depth much less necessary in Baltimore, however each Nelson Agholor and Tylan Wallace are set to hit free company. As of now, the staff’s WR3 is 2024 fourth-rounder Devontez Walker, who performed all of 57 snaps on offense as a rookie.

Lately, the Ravens have most well-liked to construct up their huge receiving corps by way of the draft whereas signing a couple of veterans on short-term offers. This offseason, they might significantly improve their No. 3 receiver spot by going after Cooper Kupp or Deebo Samuel, who had been each positioned on the commerce block in latest weeks. The NFC West pass-catchers would convey a veteran presence to the receiver room and match proper in Todd Monken’s dynamic offense. Listed below are the professionals and cons of constructing a commerce for both of those two gamers:

Cooper Kupp

Picture by Tony Ding/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Photographs

Professionals

When wholesome, Kupp continues to be a reliable pass-catcher who can function over the center and win routes on the sidelines. His versatility and historical past as a keen and succesful blocker would match completely in Todd Monken’s offense.

Kupp is a confirmed playmaker with loads of big-game expertise. He led the league in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns in 2021 and earned Tremendous Bowl MVP honors later that yr. In 9 profession playoff video games, he’s recorded 56 catches for 742 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns.
If Kupp doesn’t have a powerful market, the Ravens might doubtless nab him for Day 3 draft compensation with the Rams consuming a number of the remaining cash on his contract. With 11 projected picks, Baltimore has the draft capital to get a deal executed.
Kupp might have a resurgent season in a tertiary function behind Bateman and Flowers. Along with a decrease bodily burden, Kupp would additionally profit from consideration drawn by the opposite playmakers round him. Set to show 32 in June, he could be the veteran chief in a room whose present oldest participant beneath contract by way of subsequent season is the 25-year-old Bateman.

Cons

In his assertion after being knowledgeable of the Rams’ intention to maneuver him, Kupp said that he’s “healthy as ever and looking forward to playing elite football for years to come.” Nevertheless, the eight-year veteran hasn’t performed a full season since his historic 2021 marketing campaign, lacking 18 of a attainable 54 video games over that span together with the playoffs. Even when he was wholesome in 2024, he confirmed clear indicators of regression with simply 59.2 yards per sport, his lowest since his rookie season.
Even when the Rams assume some or the majority of Kupp’s monetary obligations for 2025, he’ll nonetheless have a large cap hit in 2025 with $19.85 million due in 2026. The Ravens may be capable of work out one thing for this season, however that would push more cash into the longer term.
Kupp hasn’t been something lower than a No. 2 possibility for the final six seasons. In Baltimore, he’d face competitors for targets from Flowers, Bateman, Mark Andrews, and Isaiah Probably, to not point out touches for Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson. If he’s seeking to rebound from his accidents and rebuild his worth, Baltimore will not be the place to rack up counting stats earlier than in search of one other contract.

Deebo Samuel

Picture by Megan Briggs/Getty Photographs

Professionals

From a enjoying model standpoint, the sixth-year veteran could be an amazing schematic slot in a Monken offense that will get explosive ability gamers the ball in house. Samuel is 2 positions in a single with a capability to contribute as each a receiver and ball provider out of the backfield as one other explosive dashing risk.

Samuel’s unimaginable contact steadiness and run-after-catch capability make him an enormous play ready to occur on any given play. That additionally makes him a superb decoy in movement to open up house for his teammates elsewhere.
Samuel might issue into the Ravens’ display sport, particularly if Flowers misses time like he did within the playoffs. The 29-year-old might additionally contribute on particular groups within the return sport.

Cons

Samuel has battled with accidents at instances, lacking eight video games during the last three years, together with the playoffs. He’s coming off one of many least productive seasons of his profession, regardless of carrying a heavy playmaking load given the staff’s accidents at working again and huge receiver.
On condition that Samuel and his representatives are those who got permission to hunt out a commerce accomplice, there’s an opportunity he doesn’t wish to come the Baltimore with out having sure stipulations met or ensures secured. He has proven diva-like tendencies prior to now and will turn into disgruntled if he isn’t as concerned within the offensive sport plan constantly from week to week even when the the staff is on a roll.