After ending the 2019 season with the top seed in the AFC Playoffs, the Baltimore Ravens fell short of their Super Bowl expectations. This season they retooled and are on track to make a Super Bowl run. Currently, the Ravens are 5-1 and only a game out of the top seed in the AFC. However, despite their success this season, that hasn’t kept them from being active on the trade market.
In the offseason, the Ravens tried to trade for Yannick Ngakoue. The Jacksonville Jaguars decided to trade him to the Minnesota Vikings for future second and fifth-round picks. However, the Vikings decided to trade him to Baltimore about a week ago for third and fifth-round picks. The Ravens are clearly buyers between now and Tuesday’s trade deadline. Here are three trades the team should consider making.
Trade #1: A 2021 fifth-round pick to the New York Jets for Bradley McDougald
The starting safety duo of Chuck Clark and DeShon Elliott has been great this season. However, the depth behind them is thin. Anthony Levine and Jordan Richards are solid backups, but if Clark or Elliott miss multiple games, the defense could suffer. Adding the veteran McDougald, who has plenty of starting experience, would secure the secondary as the best in the league. At the cost of a fifth-round pick, the Ravens would be wise to add a veteran to the safety unit.
Meanwhile, the Jets are willing to trade away just about any player for the right price. Marcus Maye has one starting safety spot locked up, while McDougald is starting at the other safety spot. However, rookie third-round pick Ashtyn Davis is waiting in the wings and should be starting. With McDougald set to be a free agent after the season, the Jets should be happy to net a fifth-round pick for him while opening up playing time for Davis.
Trade #2: A 2021 second-round pick to the Minnesota Vikings for Riley Reiff and a 2021 fifth-round pick
After trading away their third-round pick in the Ngakoue deal, it might be tough to move their second-round pick. However, the Ravens would be able to solidify their offensive line with the addition of Reiff. The Ravens, wisely, signed Ronnie Stanley to a long term deal, and Reiff wouldn’t be taking his spot or Orlando Brown‘s spot either. At this point in his career, Reiff would be best suited at guard. Currently, Patrick Mekari is starting at right guard and has been the weak link on the offensive line. Adding Reiff would not only make the offensive line elite but provide an insurance policy at tackle if Stanley or Brown got hurt.
If you can make one trade happen, why not two? After trading Ngakoue to Baltimore, the Vikings would be wise to see if the Ravens are interested in Reiff. The Vikings are heading towards a top-five draft pick in 2021. With their second-round pick (heading to Jacksonville in the original Ngakoue deal), the Vikings would be wise to look for a way to add top 100 draft picks. Furthermore, rookie second-round pick Ezra Cleveland is waiting in the wings to take over at left tackle for the Vikings.
Trade #3: 2021 second and sixth-round picks to the Houston Texans for Will Fuller
Time to make a big splash move. Marquise Brown has been solid for the Ravens this season, but the passing game has struggled at times. Mark Andrews has dealt with injuries, and the Ravens don’t have a veteran receiver they can count on for big plays. Reportedly, the team had talks with the Vikings about Adam Thielen when they traded for Ngakoue. Instead of going after a 30-year-old receiver, the Ravens would be wise to add Fuller, as the Texans appear ready to have a fire sale.
Reportedly, other than Deshaun Watson. J.J. Watt, Laremy Tunsil, and Tytus Howard, the Texans are willing to listen to offers on any other player on the roster. Fuller’s name has been floating around in rumors as the Green Bay Packers reportedly checked in on trading for Fuller. Meanwhile, both the Texans’ first and second-round picks belong to the Miami Dolphins, thanks to the Tunsil trade from last season. If the Texans are serious about moving Fuller, the Ravens should push to make a deal happen.
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