OWINGS MILLS - One day after their starting wide receivers failed to catch a single pass during a preseason loss in Philadelphia, the Baltimore Ravens acquired veteran wide receiver Lee Evans via a trade from the Buffalo Bills in exchange for a fourth-round draft pick next year.

The last time the Ravens encountered Evans he was sprinting past cornerback Fabian Washington for six catches for 105 yards and three touchdowns during a Baltimore overtime win, which cost Washington his starting job.

Now, Evans joins a Baltimore squad that lost wide receiver Derrick Mason to the New York Jets, passed on wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery and sorely needed someone to take pressure off of rookie wide receiver Torrey Smith. Smith didn't catch a pass despite being targeted three times during the Ravens' 13-6 loss Thursday night to the Eagles.

"Our fans will remember him from his outstanding game against us last season," Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome said. "He's a quality veteran receiver who stretches the field and gives us a significant downfield presence. He's the type of person you want on your team. He brings leadership and maturity to the locker room."

Known for his speed even at age 30, Evans should provide a deep threat opposite former Pro Bowl wide receiver Anquan Boldin. Evans is due $3.275 million over the final two years of his contract and the Ravens may wind up restructuring his deal.

"We're excited about getting Lee Evans," coach John Harbaugh said. "He's a proven player in this league and a quality person who will fit in well on our team. We're all looking forward to going to work with him."

Evans has surpassed 1,000 yards receiving twice in his career, with his best season coming in 2006 when he registered 82 receptions for 1,292 yards and eight touchdowns. For his career, the former Wisconsin standout has caught 377 passes for 5,934 yards and 43 touchdowns.

"I want to say thank you to Mr. [Ralph] Wilson and the Bills organization for everything over the last 7 years," Evans said in a statement. "To the great fans who make Buffalo special, thanks for always supporting me and my family. I'll always have ties to the Buffalo community as I've met a lot of great people who will remain friends.

"This is a very exciting time for me and my family and I'm really looking forward to the opportunity to play for the Baltimore Ravens. I'm excited about the Ravens organization, players, and coaching staff and can't wait to get started."

The 5-foot-10, 197-pounder has averaged 15.7 yards per reception for his career, but his production has been steadily declining in recent years.

He has fallen from 63 catches for 1,017 yards three seasons ago to 44 receptions for 612 yards and a career-low 37 catches last year.

Evans' durability is impressive, missing only three starts due to injuries as he has started 102 of 109 contests.

"I'm excited to get a chance to work with him," rookie quarterback Tyrod Taylor said. "His presence is going to mean a lot for our organization. I can't wait to get a chance to practice with him. He's going to teach our young guys a lot."

Other NFL teams that expressed interest in Evans included the Arizona Cardinals and the Carolina Panthers.

Ultimately, the Ravens' need coincided with the Bills' asking price and a deal was brokered less than a week after Mason signed with the Jets.

"There was a lot of interest in Lee and you could understand why," Bills general manager Buddy Nix said.

"He's a good player and has done a lot of really good things here. He'll add to Baltimore. I think it's a good opportunity for him.

"They've got a one receiver (Boldin) and he'll probably move right in. They have a good team. Ozzie Newsome and I go back years and Cam Cameron and I worked together. I think it's a great opportunity for Lee also."

As popular as this move was with the Ravens, it was met with disapproval in the Bills' locker room.

"Sad day for the Bills," cornerback Drayton Florence wrote on his Twitter account. "Are we trying to win now or later?"

And former Bills and Washington Redskins safety Matt Bowen didn't understand why Buffalo unloaded Evans.

"Smooth route runner, glides in and out of his cuts with speed," Bowen said. "Don't understand moving him out of Buffalo."

And former Bills wide receiver legend Andre Reed predicted success for Evans in Baltimore.

"He should flourish and gel with Anquan Bolding manning the middle of the field," Reed said.

Still missing a proven right offensive tackle and a backup quarterback, the Ravens are slowly addressing the shortcomings on the roster having acquired All-Pro fullback Vonta Leach, backup running back Ricky Williams and retaining offensive guard Marshal Yanda and cornerback Chris Carr.

"We signed Lee Evans?" linebacker Terrell Suggs wrote on his Twitter account. "Championship!"

Aaron Wilson covers the Baltimore Ravens for the Carroll County Times