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Kenny Golladay Rumors: Ravens Have Reached Out to WR's Agent to Express Interest
March 19, 2021
The Baltimore Ravens have reportedly "reached out" with interest in free-agent wide receiver Kenny Golladay, who spent the past four years with the Detroit Lions.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Friday the Ravens have been in contact with Todd France, Golladay's agent, though the current state of the negotiations is unclear.
Golladay is one of the top players still available after the initial wave of free agency, which officially opened Wednesday when the NFL's new league year started.
The 27-year-old Chicago native was limited to five appearances in 2020 because of hamstring and hip injuries, and he didn't make a major impact as a rookie in 2017 after being selected in the third round.
In between, he was terrific as the Lions' top target. He combined to record 135 receptions for 2,253 yards and 16 touchdowns between the 2018 and 2019 seasons. His 11 scores in 2019 led all NFL pass-catchers and helped him earn his first Pro Bowl selection.
The injuries are a concern, and that may be a factor in why he isn't already signed, but he can be one of the league's top wideouts when at full strength.
A true No. 1 wide receiver is something the Ravens have lacked during the Lamar Jackson era.
Marquise "Hollywood" Brown has come the closest to filling that role, but his big-play ability would be even more dangerous working as a No. 2 target with a more possession-based weapon like Golladay leading the receiving corps. That tandem alongside Mark Andrews would create a high-upside aerial attack.
Baltimore is going to face plenty of competition for the Northern Illinois product, though. The Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Miami Dolphins and New York Giants have also been linked to the marquee free agent.
The Ravens have been one of the NFL's best teams over the past three years with 35 regular-season wins. They've gone just 1-3 in the playoffs, however, and scored just 32 points in the postseason losses.
Getting Jackson a No. 1 receiver he can count on in crucial third-down situations would go a long way to helping the offense in those big games, and Golladay is capable of filling the void.