Former Pro Bowler explains why Ravens should seriously consider signing Mike Evans or Calvin Ridley in free agency

Multiple standout wideouts are set to be out of a contract in March, including Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Mike Evans and Jacksonville Jaguars’ Calvin Ridley. The Buccaneers can prevent Evans from becoming an unrestricted free agent next month. Tampa Bay has until March 5 to decide on whether it will hand Evans the franchise tag or […]

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) celebrates the touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars
© Jeremy Reper-USA TODAY Sports

Multiple standout wideouts are set to be out of a contract in March, including Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Mike Evans and Jacksonville Jaguars’ Calvin Ridley.

The Buccaneers can prevent Evans from becoming an unrestricted free agent next month. Tampa Bay has until March 5 to decide on whether it will hand Evans the franchise tag or allow him to hit free agency. The Jaguars face a similar dilemma with Ridley, who is also eligible to receive the franchise tag.

If Evans and Ridley end up hitting free agency next month, then Bart Scott would like to see his former team in the Baltimore Ravens push to sign either one of them.

"You got to continue to build around Lamar Jackson," Scott said on ESPN's "Get Up" program. "I think Odell Beckham took a step backwards. You got to go Calvin Ridley or Mike Evans to give them that vertical threat down the field.

"Zay Flowers is going to be a stud. He's a smaller receiver. Give him a guy, Lamar Jackson, somebody that can make them pay if they put that eighth man in a box."

As Scott touched on, Lamar Jackson sure could use a reliable downfield option in his upcoming seventh season in Baltimore. Evans has proven to be just that kind of a wide receiver in the NFL, while one can not overlook Ridley’s growing prowess as a route-runner.

Overall, the Ravens have a total of five wideouts who are under contract for the 2024 season, including Nelson Agholor, whom the team recently signed to a one-year extension deal.