BUFFALO, N.Y. -- In receiver Lee Evans, the Baltimore Ravens acquired a proven veteran to play alongside Anquan Boldin.

By trading Evans for a fourth-round draft pick, the Buffalo Bills are putting their trust in a young group of receivers, who are suddenly minus their respected leader and five-time captain.

Two teams who have spent much of the past decade going in different directions completed the trade on Friday in the midst of the NFL's first week of preseason games.

"We're excited about getting Lee Evans," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said a day after Baltimore opened the preseason with a 13-7 loss to Philadelphia. "He's a proven player in this league, and a quality person who will fit in well on our team."

Evans is a seven-year veteran, who is a downfield threat with two 1,000-yard seasons. He is expected to immediately step into the No. 2 role in Baltimore to improve a receiving attack after the Ravens released Derrick Mason and tight end Todd Heap last month.

"He's a quality veteran receiver who stretches the field and gives us significant downfield presence," Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome said. "He's the type of person you want on your team. He brings leadership and maturity to the locker room."

Evans reported to the Ravens Saturday and passed his physical.

Evans' best game last season came against the Ravens, when he had 105 yards receiving and three touchdowns in Buffalo's 37-34 overtime loss.

For the Bills, they were able to free up the $3.25 million in salary Evans was scheduled to make in the second-to-last year of his contract. And the move also frees up room in allowing Buffalo to provide additional playing time to a revamped group of receivers.