RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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Ravens urged to make odd trade decision on $36.8M former first-round WR originally appeared on The Sporting News .
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The Baltimore Ravens need to be better offensively in the upcoming 2026 NFL season. Lamar Jackson and the offense last year just weren't good enough.
One of the keys to success will be in the wide receiver room, with Zay Flowers leading the way. Behind him are Rashod Bateman, Devontez Walker, Ja'Kobi Lane, and Elijah Sarratt. It's not a terrible group, but it could look a bit different by the start of the season.
But Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report believes the Ravens should do something odd and try to trade away Bateman. Instead of keeping the $36.8 million WR, Knox believes a trade would make sense.
Ravens urged to consider trade of Rashod Bateman
"It would behoove Baltimore to see what sort of trade value Bateman has ahead of Week 1," Knox writes. "There are several receiver-needy teams out there, and the Ravens could save $2.4 million in cap space while creating opportunities for Lane and Sarratt."
The Ravens, a team planning to contend in 2026 under Jesse Minter, don't seem like a team looking to trade away some key pieces of their roster.
Sure, there is plenty of buzz about Lane being a breakout WR in training camp, and potentially a top option for Jackson and the offense in 2026. There is even optimism about Sarratt after his championship season with Indiana.
But to move on from Bateman would be to part with a veteran receiver who has chemistry with Jackson amid a change at playcaller.
MORE : Lamar Jackson is already predicted to be a Hall of Fame QB for Ravens per ESPN
Trading away Bateman would be an odd move for the Ravens, as the risk would likely not be worth it. It's not necessarily that he's too good to be moved, but rather what his trade would mean for the Ravens.
While there might be excitement about Lane and Sarratt, relying on two rookies to make a significant difference in the receiving game alongside Flowers in a new offense isn't really a good idea.
Bateman is a key receiver for this team, and trading him would be far too risky for Baltimore's offense. Now, after the 2026 season, the Ravens could trade Bateman without much worry if Lane or Sarratt look the part.
But moving on from Bateman before the 2026 season, as Knox is urging the Ravens to do, would be a very odd decision that could go disastrously.
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