Nelson Agholor is not what the Ravens need

Nelson Agholor. Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

Nelson Agholor addition not what rebuilding Ravens WR room needs

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 3/24/23

Although he’s never quite lived up to his billing as a former first-round pick, the Baltimore Ravens still think Nelson Agholor has something left in the tank.

Agholor signed a one-year deal with Baltimore for up to $6.25 million on Friday, but the 29-year-old USC alum hardly represents the kind of significant upgrade needed for quarterback Lamar Jackson to thrive.

Baltimore has been quiet through the first two weeks of free agency, watching as the top available WRs including Allen Lazard, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Jakobi Meyers and Adam Thielen signed elsewhere.

Ravens Current WR Room:

•Rashod Bateman
•Demarcus Robinson (FA)
•Nelson Agholor
•Sammy Watkins (FA)
•Devin Duverney
•James Proche
•Mike Thomas
•Andy Isabella
•Tylan Wallace
•Shemar Bridges
— Ravens Nation LIVE (@LIVERavenNation) March 24, 2023

The 20th overall pick in 2016, Agholor has never had more than 64 receptions or 896 yards in any of his eight NFL seasons. He’s logged 50 or more receptions just twice and 500 or more yards only three times, though he does have two seasons with eight touchdown receptions.

While the move reunites Agholor with two of his former receivers coaches in Tee Martin (USC, 2012-14) and Greg Lewis (Philadelphia Eagles, 2016), it doesn’t present much of an upgrade over either of Baltimore’s top two leading receivers from 2022 — Demarcus Robinson (48 receptions, 458 yards, two touchdowns) or Devin Duvernay (37 receptions, 407 yards, three touchdowns). Robinson is a free agent.

pic.twitter.com/14rg8COooT
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) March 24, 2023

The Ravens wide receiver group ranked 28^th in receptions (300), 30^th in receiving yards (3,202) and tied for the 10th-fewest yards per reception (10.7) in the NFL in 2022.

As the Ravens try to build a better supporting cast around Jackson, the draft seems like the likeliest avenue for a potential top-tier receiver to be added. Baltimore has the No. 22 overall pick and USC’s Jordan Addison, Ohio State’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba, TCU’s Quentin Johnston, Boston College’s Zay Flowers and Tennessee’s Jalin Hyatt are all possible first-round options.

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