Baltimore Ravens Could Land Controversial 1,000-Yard Wide Receiver

This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.

The Baltimore Ravens could take a chance on a proven wide receiver this offseason. Veteran wideout Stefon Diggs may hit free agency soon, and Baltimore could emerge as a strong landing spot if the New England Patriots move on from him.

New England searched hard for an elite receiver in free agency last year. That effort failed. The team then turned to Diggs, who returned after an ACL injury and faced questions about his form. The Patriots still gave him a three-year, $65 million contract.

Diggs answered those doubts on the field. He became the team’s top receiving option during a surprise run to the Super Bowl. He finished the season with 85 catches for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns. Still, the Patriots plan to release him when the new league year begins next week because the contract includes an easy exit after one season.

That move will push Diggs back into the free agent market. One contender already stands out as a possible destination.

Ravens Emerge As Possible Landing Spot

Bleacher Report writer Moe Moton believes the Baltimore Ravens make the most sense for Diggs. The Ravens need another dependable target next to Zay Flowers. The team already leans on tight end Mark Andrews and star running back Derrick Henry.

Diggs could fill that gap quickly.

“As a possession receiver, Diggs can complement Flowers, whose speed opens up the field for other wideouts on short to intermediate routes,” Moton wrote. “Still a reliable pass-catching threat, he can feast on receptions over the middle and in the seams. Furthermore, with the Ravens set to install a new offense under first-time play-caller Declan Doyle, Lamar Jackson needs another safety valve in the passing attack, other than tight end Mark Andrews.”

The move could also bring Stefon Diggs close to home. He grew up in Gaithersburg, Maryland, and played college football for the Maryland Terrapins. Joining the Baltimore Ravens would give him a full-circle moment late in his career.

Still, teams have to think about the risks. No one doubts Diggs’ talent. His record speaks for itself. He posted seven 1,000-yard seasons over the last eight years.

However, his personal life has raised concerns. Diggs left the Buffalo Bills after a long disagreement with quarterback Josh Allen. His high-profile relationship with Cardi B is also a matter of discussion.

There is also a legal issue. Police arrested Diggs on December 22 after a woman accused him of assault. She said Diggs strangled her after she asked to be paid for working as his personal chef. Diggs denied the claims and pleaded not guilty.

He is scheduled to return to court on April 1.

Even with these issues, many teams still see value in him. If healthy, Diggs can still get good numbers. For a contender like Baltimore, that upside might be worth the risk.