The Ravens’ Week 1 win over the Colts came with a price tag, and it was a steep one at wide receiver.
Baltimore rolled to a 41-23 victory on Sunday, but the depth chart took a hit almost immediately. Rookie 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 severity isn’t known yet, the expectation is that he’ll miss some time.
That wasn’t the only concern. Zay Flowers also went down with a hamstring injury that forced him out early, and the Ravens were already missing Devontez Walker, who was ruled out before kickoff because of a groin injury.
That kind of attrition is why a trade idea makes sense, and Carolina’s Xavier Legette looks like the kind of player Baltimore could target.
Legette is currently the Panthers’ No. 3 receiver, but he didn’t do much to help his case in Week 1. Even with Carolina piling up 361 passing yards and 37 points, he finished with no catches on two targets and was charged with the team’s only drop of the day.
The former No. 32 overall pick has yet to find his footing in the NFL. Over his first two-plus seasons, Legette has totaled 84 receptions for 860 yards and seven touchdowns. For a player with that draft status and athletic profile, that’s a rough return, and he’s starting to look like the kind of receiver who needs a reset.
Carolina wouldn’t be dealing from a position of strength, but it also wouldn’t be stripping the roster bare. Jimmy Horn Jr. and John Metchie give the Panthers other options behind their top receivers, so moving Legette would be manageable.
From Baltimore’s side, the appeal is pretty simple: Legette may not be the answer, but he is another body, and the Ravens need bodies right now. He also brings more experience than the players currently in line to help replace Lane.
Those alternatives include Walker, who may not be ready for Week 2, and rookie Elijah Sarratt, who hasn’t even been active yet. Walker does have more experience, but his career line sits at just seven catches for 157 yards and four touchdowns across 21 games.
Because Legette’s value has sunk, the price shouldn’t be high. A late Day 3 pick, or even a swap of late-round selections, would probably get it done.
If that’s the market, Baltimore should be making the call.
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The bigger issue is what comes next. Mims is not eligible for an extension until 2027, but the market for comparable players already points to a salary range that could land well above the club's comfort zone, with franchise tag projections only adding more pressure. Cincinnati does not have to make a decision today, but games like this are the sort that can force an early conversation about how long it wants to wait. [Read more 🡒]