Reports from NFL executives have stated that the Baltimore Ravens are now the favorites to land Arizona Cardinals star wide receiver Deandre Hopkins via trade. Sources say that Hopkins will hold second-round pick value in the trading process. The only issue for Baltimore is that it does not possess a 2023 second-round pick due to dealing the choice to Chicago in exchange for linebacker Roquan Smith. This will force the Ravens to either give up their future second-rounder, a player or turn to the later rounds for multiple picks in order to acquire Hopkins.
For Baltimore, it could be a no-brainer to make this move if it becomes applicable, as the franchise has been lacking a ‘true’ No. 1 wide receiver that provides consistent production. Hopkins has been a magnet for a plethora of quarterbacks “good and bad” throughout his decade-long career and could be the opening for an expansion in the Raven’s offensive system and quarterback Lamar Jackson’s development long-term.
Even Yardbarker now has made the prediction that the Ravens will end up trading for Hopkins this offseason.
Speaking of which, it is the fifth-year quarterback Jackson that is beginning to question his future in Baltimore and has recently entered free agency and waiting on a new contract — all the more reason for the Ravens’ front office to make the phone call with Arizona — as a remedy to Jackson’s playoff woes waiting on the other line.
Moreover, since the Ravens drafted Jackson in 2018, then-offensive coordinator Greg Roman made it his mission to cater the offense around his signal-callers signature play style, which was effective at first, taking the league by storm with his run-heavy offensive scheme.
However, it didn’t take the rest of the league very long to figure out how to limit Jackson’s progression on the ground —ultimately forcing him to pass to younger and inexperienced receivers — leading to a halt in the Ravens’ postseason motor, only winning one playoff game since Jackson was named the starter.
With the Ravens firing Roman in January and hiring former back-to-back Georgia National Championship and pass-heavy oriented OC Todd Monken last Tuesday, turns a new leaf for the Raven’s offense. This could potentially turn the heads of Ravens’ front office when targeting a gem such as DeAndre Hopkins to help operate the full use of his potential, as well as Jackson who could see more reason to return with more help and unleash his full passing prowess.
