The Ravens plan to sign veteran wide receiver Brandon Stokley, according to a report by The Baltimore Sun.
Stokley, 37, is an experienced slot receiver who possesses excellent route-running, good hands and toughness.
He could bolster the Ravens with their short-to-intermediate passing game underneath, a position they could use help with considering the trade of Anquan Boldin, loss of tight end Dennis Pitta and recent injuries to wide receiver Deonte Thompson and tight end Ed Dickson.
With Peyton Manning throwing to him last year in Denver, Stokley had one of the best seasons of his career. He notched 45 receptions for 544 yards and five touchdowns, and started nine of the 15 games he played in.
It was the second-most catches of his 14-year career, the third-most yards and tied for the third-most touchdowns. Stokley made a dazzling 15-yard touchdown catch against the Ravens in the AFC divisional playoffs last season, and hauled in three passes for 27 yards on the day.
After hardly seeing any action in 2011 with the New York Giants, Stokley proved that despite his age, he can still play at a high level. He would enter a tight competition at wide receiver in Baltimore.
Stokley is accustomed to being in Baltimore. The Ravens originally drafted him in the fourth round in 1999, and he played with them for four seasons.
Stokley helped the Ravens win their first Super Bowl in 2000, and caught the first touchdown of the game from quarterback Trent Dilfer. A painting of that play still hangs at the Ravens training complex.
Since leaving the Ravens, Stokley has played for the Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos, Seattle Seahawks and New York Giants. His best season was in 2004 with the Colts when he caught 68 passes for 1,077 yards and 10 touchdowns.
