Ravens Predicted to Trade Rashod Bateman, Draft Assets in Pursuit of $96M Superstar WR

ESPN analyst Ben Solak proposes a blockbuster trade that would send A.J. Brown to Baltimore in exchange for Rashod Bateman and draft picks.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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The Baltimore Ravens narrowly missed the 2026 playoffs, and ESPN analyst Ben Solak believes one of their main issues was the lack of help for quarterback Lamar Jackson. Solak proposes a trade that would send star wide receiver A.J. Brown from the Philadelphia Eagles to the Ravens in exchange for wide receiver Rashod Bateman and draft picks.

Why it matters

The Ravens have been searching for a true WR1 to complement Lamar Jackson, and acquiring the 6-time 1,000-yard receiver A.J. Brown would give them that. However, trading away a promising young receiver like Bateman would be a significant cost. This potential deal highlights the Ravens' desire to surround Jackson with elite talent, even if it means parting with a former first-round pick.

The details

Solak's proposed trade would send A.J. Brown from the Eagles to the Ravens in exchange for Rashod Bateman, the Ravens' 2027 second-round pick, and a conditional 2027 fourth-round pick that could become a third-rounder. Brown signed a 3-year, $96 million extension with the Eagles in 2024, but there have been instances of dissension between him and the team. Solak believes this deal strongly benefits the Ravens in their pursuit of a true WR1 for Lamar Jackson, while also helping the Eagles by giving them Bateman and draft capital.

  • In 2024, A.J. Brown signed a 3-year, $96 million contract extension with the Philadelphia Eagles.
  • The Ravens narrowly missed the 2026 postseason in their season finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The players

A.J. Brown

A 6-time 1,000-yard wide receiver who signed a 3-year, $96 million contract extension with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2024.

Rashod Bateman

A wide receiver for the Baltimore Ravens who was a former first-round draft pick.

Lamar Jackson

The star quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens.

Ben Solak

An ESPN analyst who proposed the trade sending A.J. Brown to the Ravens.

Mike Vrabel

The head coach of the New England Patriots, who previously coached A.J. Brown when he was with the Tennessee Titans.

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What they’re saying

“One of the clear lessons of the Ravens' 2025 season was that their current group of pass catchers is insufficient.”

— Ben Solak, ESPN Analyst (ESPN)

“While they might not need to make a move this drastic, they would benefit from having a receiver with size and contested-catch ability, something quarterback Lamar Jackson has never enjoyed in his seven seasons.”

— Ben Solak, ESPN Analyst (ESPN)

“By acquiring him for Bateman, the Ravens can give Brown a true WR1's volume and use Zay Flowers as a big-play WR2 — something that fits his skill set more.”

— Ben Solak, ESPN Analyst (ESPN)

What’s next

The Ravens will need to decide if they are willing to part with Rashod Bateman and valuable draft capital to acquire A.J. Brown, who would provide a true WR1 option for Lamar Jackson. The Eagles will also have to weigh whether trading Brown is the best move for their receiver room.

The takeaway

This potential trade highlights the Ravens' continued pursuit of elite offensive talent to surround Lamar Jackson, even if it means sacrificing a promising young receiver like Rashod Bateman. The acquisition of A.J. Brown would give Jackson the big-bodied, contested-catch receiver he has lacked, but the cost may be too high for Baltimore to justify.