Getty The Baltimore Ravens made a big decision about the future of wide receiver Nelson Agholor.
The Baltimore Ravens are bringing back one key free-agent wide receiver after extending Nelson Agholor’s contract on Sunday, February 18. It’s a one-year deal, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Without the extension, Agholor would have had his original contract voided and been eligible to enter 2024 NFL free agency, per Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic.
Ravens announce that they have signed WR Nelson Agholor to a 1-year contract extension. His contract would have voided and he would have become a FA had he not be re-signed by 4 pm Monday
Getting another season in Baltimore is just reward for Agholor, who played above expectations in 2023. The former first-round pick of the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2015 NFL draft caught 35 passes, averaged 10.9 yards a reception and scored four touchdowns, per Pro Football Reference.
Agholor is staying, but the Ravens still have a similar decision to make about Odell Beckham Jr’s future. The latter is also set to be a free agent and doubts have already been raised about whether OBJ will return to M&T Bank Stadium.
Beckham didn’t live up to his one-year, $15-million contract, but he could still have a role to play. The Ravens need experienced pass-catchers to complement Zay Flowers, who emerged as Lamar Jackson’s go-to receiver during a prolific rookie campaign.
Nelson Agholor Deserved Ravens’ Contract Decision
Agholor’s overall numbers were far from gaudy, but he still played well enough to merit a new deal. In particular, the ex-Las Vegas Raiders and New England Patriots wideout showed a knack for getting open in the red zone.
One of his best plays was this touchdown catch against AFC North rivals the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 2. The nifty catch in the corner of the end zone was highlighted by Ravens.com Editorial Director Ryan Mink.
Best part of Lamar Jackson’s 17-yard touchdown to Nelson Agholor was obviously the ball placement.
Second best part was Zay Flowers’ reaction. 😂
Good hands aren’t the only reason Jackson often looked Agholor’s way when inside the 20. Quarterback and receiver also established chemistry based on anticipation and timing.
A great example occurred against the Detroit Lions in Week 7. Agholor stayed on the move and tracked Jackson when the latter broke from the pocket amid pressure.
Like all receivers should during a scramble drill, No. 15 initially worked his way toward his quarterback. Then he broke out to give Jackson an obvious throwing window to an open target, a sequence illustrated by Next Gen Stats.
Lamar Jackson’s time to throw of 9.24 seconds on his 12-yd TD to Nelson Agholor is the longest on a touchdown pass since Week 14, 2018, and the 3rd-longest in the NGS era (since 2016).
Agholor understands Jackson’s game and also offers the signal-caller a proven commodity who can stretch the field. Jackson needs a vertical threat after averaging a career-high eight yards per pass attempt.
Keeping Agholor in the mix ensures Jackson has a receiver capable of offering something different than what Flowers and Beckham provide underneath.
Odell Beckham Jr.’s Future Still Uncertain
OBJ wasn’t the force he was earlier in his career, but Ravens’ offensive coordinator Todd Monken may still believe the 31-year-old has something left. Monken was Beckham’s offensive coordinator with the Cleveland Browns in 2019, the last time the receiver topped the 1,000-yard mark.
Convincing head coach John Harbaugh and general manager Eric DeCosta Beckham is worth brining back could prove tricky. They may no longer believe the player can command a premium after posting modest returns of 35 catches and 565 yards.
Those are slightly better numbers than Agholor produced, but Beckham has more of a reputation. So it’s worrying how OBJ’s production dropped off during the business end of the season.
The three-time Pro Bowler snagged just eight catches during his final five games, including the playoffs. If the Ravens let Beckham test the market, it could be a sign DeCosta is ready to use more premium draft capital on a receiver.
That strategy paid dividends when Flowers made 77 receptions and scored five touchdowns after being drafted 22nd overall a year ago. He’s somebody Monken can build a more productive passing game around, but Agholor will still play a key supporting role.