​They may head into the 2026 NFL season without a veteran, high-profile wide receiver on a Ravens roster that has grown accustomed to imposing playmakers, but a Super Bowl champion who played for Baltimore believes the team should still pursue a seasoned, versatile “Swiss Army Knife” type of player with All-Pro credentials who remains available in free agency. Those credentials place Deebo Samuel as a natural fit for the Ravens, according to Obafemi Ayanbadejo. The former Pro running back, who helped lift a Lombardi Trophy with the 2000 Ravens, shared on the Baltimore Collective with Bobby Trosset and Cole Jackson why Samuel would make sense for Baltimore.
Ayanbadejo describes Samuel as a unique talent—someone who is not easy to find. “There aren’t a lot of Deebos out there,” he said. “He’s so many different things he can do. He’s like a Swiss Army knife.” This isn’t the first time the Ravens have been urged to add Samuel’s versatile skill set to their offense, but the current moment may present the best opportunity to pull off a deal. As Ayanbadejo explained, Samuel represents the “right guy, right price” at a critical point in the offseason calendar, just ahead of training camp.
The key reason Samuel stands out as a potential impact player for Baltimore is how seamlessly he would pair with two-time NFL MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson and two-time league rushing champion Derrick Henry. Samuel brings a similar dual threat to the offense—a combination of power and speed that can complicate defenses. He has averaged an impressive 5.6 yards per rush as a supposed ‘wide back’ who can slot into multiple spots within a formation. An emblematic example of what Samuel can add as a ball carrier came with a jet sweep for a touchdown against the New York Jets during the 2024 season, illustrating the dynamic threat he could pose in Baltimore’s ground game.
The Ravens could use another viable rushing threat, particularly with concerns about Henry’s longevity and potential decline. Currently, only veteran third-down back Justice Hill and 2026 NFL draft fifth-round pick Adam Randall—a rookie whom the owner has publicly supported—offer depth in that department. The backfield also took a hit when Baltimore surprisingly allowed change-of-pace back Keaton Mitchell to depart for the Los Angeles Chargers in free agency, a move that thins the team’s options at back and creates another opening for a player of Samuel’s caliber.
Mitchell’s exit also creates a need to strengthen the Ravens’ kick return unit. Samuel could contribute there as well, having averaged 30.1 yards on kickoff returns for the Commanders in 2025, per Pro Football Reference. One of his standout return efforts—a 69-yard touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders—serves as a reminder of the explosive yardage he can add in special teams.
Signing Samuel to a team-friendly contract could bolster the Ravens’ return game and give the offense a legitimate game-changer at receiver. Still, his primary objective would be to deliver a transformative impact in the passing game. Baltimore is counting on two rookies, Ja’Kobi Lane and Elijah Sarratt, to complement back-to-back 1,000-yard wideout Zay Flowers, making Samuel an appealing veteran with the experience and versatility to help maximize Flowers’ production and stretch defenses in multiple ways.