The Ravens came out of Week 1 with a convincing 41-23 win over the Colts, but the box score told only part of the story. Baltimore left the game with its receiver group thinned out, and that opens the door for a trade idea with the Panthers.
Rookie wideout Ja'Kobi Lane, who is expected to play a big role in the passing game this season, left early with an injury. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo later reported that Lane suffered a fractured wrist, and while the full extent is still unclear, the expectation is that he’ll miss some time.
Baltimore’s depth got hit again when Zay Flowers went down with a hamstring injury and exited early as well. The Ravens were already playing without Devontez Walker, who was ruled out before kickoff because of a groin injury.
That’s where Carolina comes in. The suggested target is Xavier Legette, who is currently the Panthers’ No. 3 receiver but had another rough opening week. Even with Carolina piling up 361 passing yards and 37 points, Legette finished with zero catches on two targets and was charged with the team’s only drop of the day.
The former No. 32 overall pick hasn’t put it together through more than two seasons in the league. He has 84 receptions for 860 yards and seven touchdowns in that span, and the case for a fresh start is getting louder.
For Carolina, moving a third receiver this early would normally raise eyebrows. But the Panthers do have other options, including Jimmy Horn Jr. and John Metchie, so Legette is not an impossible piece to replace.
Baltimore’s appeal is less about splash and more about survival. Legette wouldn’t need to be a star to help; he’d just need to be available. And in a receiver room this beat up, that matters.
He also brings more experience than the alternatives Baltimore would be leaning on if Lane misses time. Those options include Walker, who may not be ready for Week 2, and rookie Elijah Sarratt, who was inactive in Week 1. Walker has logged 21 career games, but his resume still sits at just seven catches for 157 yards and four touchdowns.
With Legette’s value down, the price shouldn’t be steep. The expectation is that it would take only a late Day 3 pick, or maybe even a simple swap of late-round selections.
If that’s the market, the Ravens should be calling.
In Other News...
Falcons Suddenly Have A Backfield Depth Problem They Created
The Falcons running back room took another hit this week, and it is one of their own doing. Dallas signed Tyler Goodson off Atlantas practice squad to its active 53-man roster after an injury to Malik Davis, giving Goodson a quick path back to the league after the Falcons waived him following preseason even though he had turned in strong performances.
For Atlanta, the bigger issue is the depth chart behind the depth chart. Cash Jones is now the only running back on the practice squad, which leaves the team thin if it wants more insurance at the position, and the Falcons may need to add another player just to keep the room stocked. Goodson, meanwhile, gets another chance to carve out a role in Dallas as he competes for snaps behind Javonte Williams and Emari Demercado. [Read more 🡒]
Bijan Robinson Replay Added One Scary Concern To A Huge Falcons Day
Bijan Robinson was at the center of the Falcons big day against the Steelers, doing damage on the ground and through the air while showing again why Atlanta leans on him so heavily. He carried 21 times for 83 yards, caught 8 of 10 targets for 90 more yards and scored a touchdown, giving the offense the kind of versatile threat it can build around when everything is clicking.
The concern came on a replay that showed just how close Robinson came to a serious injury after being rolled up on by Steelers players. It was the sort of moment that can change the feel of a game in an instant, and it added a jolt of worry to what otherwise looked like a statement performance for Atlanta. Raheem Morris went as far as calling Robinson the best player in the league, a nod to both his production and the importance of keeping him upright. [Read more 🡒]
Kyle Pitts Is Already Putting Falcons Quarterback Problem Under Pressure
Kyle Pitts entered the year with a new three-year, $54 million deal and the kind of expectations that come with being one of the Falcons most important pass-catching pieces. Instead, the season opener against the Steelers left him without a reception and with just one target, a quiet start that stood out even in a game where the offense struggled to find any rhythm with Cooper Rush at quarterback.
Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa are both working back from injuries and are expected to return soon, which only adds another layer to how the Falcons will manage their passing game. Pitts role remains central to what Atlanta wants to do, but the early lack of involvement has already put a spotlight on how much the quarterback situation can shape his impact from week to week. [Read more 🡒]