Should the Ravens trade for wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk?

There’s lot trade controversy around the star wide out

Over the offseason, tempers have bubbled between wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk and the San Francisco 49ers. On Sunday, it was reported Aiyuk formally requested a trade from the organization. However, Aiyuk’s agent, Athlete’s First’s Ryan Williams, denies such claim.

But regardless of whether the trade has been formally declared, it’s likely the 49ers are willing to listen to offers and have Aiyuk on the trading block. With that in mind, should the Baltimore Ravens put in a phone call?

From an on-field perspective, absolutely.

Aiyuk is a terror on the outside. He can be successful in any area on the field, be it short, intermediate or deep plays. Most importantly, he’s a route savant. Aiyuk plays almost exclusively the X-role in 49ers Head Coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense. It would be a pretty seamless transition as well, going from Shanahan’s run-heavy scheme to Baltimore’s run-heavy system, with newly added star running back Derrick Henry. Aiyuk is noted as one of the best blocking wide receivers in the NFL.

Pairing an alpha-dog winner like Aiyuk with Zay Flowers would make one of the deadliest wide receiver duos in the NFL. While Flowers can motion all around the offense, Aiyuk will be a steady presence on the outside.

This is something the Ravens have lacked throughout Lamar Jackson’s career. Last season was the first overhaul to accomplish such efforts, paying Odell Beckham Jr. $15 million to mixed results.

Simply, Aiyuk could add that element to the Ravens’ receiver corps that the fans and media have wanted since Jackson’s MVP campaign in 2019.

The fit can’t only be on-field, though. Business is an equal part to this equation.

Aiyuk has one year left on his rookie deal and is looking for an extension, the main reason for the trade buzz. It remains to be seen if the 49ers can fit him on their books with the other big-time contracts already handed out, plus Brock Purdy’s incoming payday. The Ravens in the meantime have already entered the “large quarterback contract era.” Along with Jackson’s massive contract, they’ve already paid the leader of their defense, inside linebacker Roquan Smith, along with corenerback Marlon Humphrey, defensive lineman Justin Madubuike, safety Marcus Williams and tight end Mark Andrews. They will have upcoming extension talks for safety Kyle Hamilton, center Tyler Linderbaum, cornerback Brandon Stephens and tight end Isaiah Likely.

That being said, there is a notable lack of receiver money there. Zay Flowers is entering only the second year of his rookie deal and will have a fifth-year option available for 2028. After that, there is currently no other wide receiver on the roster for 2025. Bateman could be if his fifth-year option is picked up but that’s unknown (and unlikely). The Ravens clearly have a need there.

Roster construction-wise, the Ravens don’t oft spend on wide receivers, don’t like to trade draft picks often, never trade first-round picks for players and have repeatedly said they will need to build through the draft due to Jackson’s contract. Trading a possible first-round pick plus handing out a big-money extension for a wide receiver? Not the Raven way, especially with a historically deep wide receiver prospect class in this upcoming draft.

So, does it make sense for the Ravens? Yes and no. The player fits exactly what they need and would blend seamlessly with their scheme and roster. They need wide receivers long-term as well. They have the draft capital and could make it work with their cap space. But it also doesn’t fit the team style and giving up early draft picks and cheap rookie contracts with Jackson’s contract looming and so many position rooms needing work doesn’t make the most sense.

Whichever way the Ravens move on this, they’ll probably be happy, getting an alpha wide receiver locked up or building through the draft. Knowing the Ravens, they’ll find a way to make a competitive roster either way.