Baltimore Ravens: 5 positions they could improve with a trade

Like many NFL general managers, Eric DeCosta is always looking for roster help. However, as the AFC challengers signed big-name wide receivers over the past two weeks, the Ravens' general manager was able to take solace in a winning streak.

Two days after the Ravens defeated the Washington Commanders, the New York Jets traded for Davante Adams while the Buffalo Bills acquired Amari Cooper. On Wednesday, two days after the Ravens beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for their fifth straight win, the Kansas City Chiefs got DeAndre Hopkins.

The Ravens don't have a perfect team, but few GMs have a more talented roster. As DeCosta considers his options ahead of the NFL trade deadline on November 5, here are five positions he could address, along with potential trade targets.

5. Backup inside linebacker

Starters Roquan Smith and Trenton Simpson have had relatively injury-free seasons, but the depth behind them has taken a hit. Malik Harrison has missed the last two games with a groin injury. Chris Board was sidelined for a while in the preseason due to a concussion. And Josh Ross was claimed off waivers by the Seattle Seahawks on Wednesday. Special teams coordinator Chris Horton could use more help at that position.

Brian Asamoah II of the Minnesota Vikings: Asamoah, a third-round draft pick in 2022, has played just 49 defensive snaps for the Vikings over the past two seasons. He has primarily contributed on special teams, where he ranked seventh in snaps last year and fifth this year. There's no obvious path to defensive snaps in Baltimore either, but coach John Harbaugh values ​​athletic linebackers like Asamoah on his special teams.

4. Backup quarterback

Lamar Jackson is the early favorite to win the NFL's Most Valuable Player award. However, that shouldn't stop the Ravens from shopping around the backup quarterback market. Although Josh Johnson silenced some critics with a solid preseason and rookie Devin Leary continues to develop on the practice squad, neither has the mobility needed to improve the team's dominant running game.

Joshua Dobbs of the San Francisco 49ers: Dobbs is QB3 in San Francisco, behind starter Brock Purdy and backup Brandon Allen, but he has recent starting experience. The “Passtronaut” started a total of 12 games for the Arizona Cardinals and Vikings last season and completed 62.8% of his passes for 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while rushing for six touchdowns and 5.5 yards per carry. He has a one-year contract with a base salary of $1.8 million.

3. Wide receiver

Don't look now, but the Ravens have one of the most efficient wide receiver duos in the NFL. Rashod Bateman and Zay Flowers were ranked as the No. 6 and 12 wideouts, respectively, in ESPN's Receiver Scores this season. During the Ravens' five-game winning streak, both were also among the top 15 qualified wide receivers in yards per route run, according to Pro Football Focus, an encouraging indicator of their efficiency.

However, given Flowers' smaller stature and Bateman's medical history, the specter of injury risk looms over the position. Nelson Agholor is a solid No. 3 and Tylan Wallace has been a useful addition, but freshman Devontez Walker has been slow to progress. Jackson hasn't had to attempt many throws from tight windows this year, but the group lacks an imposing “X” receiver.

Mike Williams of the New York Jets: Williams has just 11 catches for 160 yards in seven games. The mood with Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers wasn't particularly good. The 30-year-old's injury history is a warning sign. But Williams has the size (6-foot-1, 220 pounds) to win contested catches and hold his own as a blocker. What's even more attractive is that his base salary for the 2024 season is just $1.3 million.

Darius Slayton of the New York Giants: Slayton finished with 700 to 800 receiving yards in four of his first five seasons in New York, and he's still on pace for 758 yards in his sixth year. The 6-1 Slayton performs primarily as an outside receiver and has 15 catches of at least 20 air yards since 2022, including three this season, tied with rookie Malik Nabers for the team lead, according to TruMedia. He is in the final year of his contract and has a base salary of $2.5 million.

Demarcus Robinson of the Los Angeles Rams: The former Raven has 13 catches for 198 yards and a touchdown this season, making him one of the top 30 wide receivers in the ESPN Receiver Scores. He primarily operates as an outside receiver but can also play inside. Robinson, who turned 30 last month, has a one-year contract with a base salary of $2.5 million.

2. Defensive back

The Ravens have too much talent to finish last in the NFL in passing yards allowed per game, and perhaps their fortunes will change in the second half of the season. Marlon Humphrey looks like a star again. Rookie Nate Wiggins continues to improve. Brandon Stephens fell victim to some unlikely catches. The healthy returns of Arthur Maulet and Jalyn Armour-Davis should also help the cornerback room.

At safety, Kyle Hamilton is still one of the NFL's best chess pieces. Harbaugh remains optimistic that Marcus Williams will get going. Ar'Darius Washington is unlucky not to get intercepted a few times. And Eddie Jackson's confidence in the plan is also likely to increase.

However, the Ravens are running out of time to seek outside help.

Marshon Lattimore of the New Orleans Saints: Injuries have limited Lattimore to 23 games over the last three seasons, but when healthy, he is one of the NFL's most talented cornerbacks. According to Pro Football Focus, Lattimore has allowed just 68 yards in targeted coverage this season. His contract runs through 2026, but he has a base salary of just $1.2 million this year and it's unclear how committed New Orleans would be to keeping him during the rebuild.

Budda Baker of the Arizona Cardinals: The Ravens would have to pay big to get Baker. He has won Pro Bowl honors at safety in five straight seasons and has a base salary of $14.2 million in 2024, the final year of his contract. Baker last intercepted a pass in 2022, but he would give the defense another versatile playmaker. According to PFF, he has played 57 snaps in the slot, 170 snaps in the box and 212 snaps as a free safety this season.

Andre Cisco of the Jacksonville Jaguars: Don't be surprised if Cisco, playing in the final year of his rookie contract, finds a new home. Two weeks ago, he made headlines when he said he saw “a lot of disappointment” in the Jaguars' defense in their resounding loss to the Chicago Bears in London. Cisco has playmaking potential as a midfield safety and recorded seven interceptions in the 2022 and 2023 seasons.

1. Pass rusher

Some of the Ravens pass rushers' marginal stats aren't bad. Outside linebackers Odafe Oweh and Kyle Van Noy rank 11th and 12th among edge rushers in ESPN's pass-rush win percentage. Nnamdi Madubuike and Travis Jones are in the top third of PFF's winning percentage for center backs. Veterans like Yannick Ngakoue and young players like Tavius ​​Robinson and David Ojabo have flashed at times.

But quarterback pressure hasn't been easy for the Ravens' front. When they play with four or fewer pass rushers this season, they rank just 26th in pressure rate, according to TruMedia. Last year they were seventh.

Jadeveon Clowney of the Carolina Panthers: The former Ravens edge rusher has just one sack this year and has missed the last two games with a shoulder injury, but Clowney is still very productive. According to ESPN, his 22.2% pass-rush win rate would rank 10th among edge rushers if he had enough pass-rush snaps to qualify. Clowney thrived under Ravens pass rush coach Chuck Smith last season, recording a career-high 9.5 sacks and impressing as a run defender. Clowney signed a two-year, $20 million contract with the Panthers last offseason, but his base salary for this year is just $1.2 million.

Joshua Uche of the New England Patriots: Uche played with Ojabo at Michigan and trained with him in the offseason. His size (6-foot-1, 220 pounds) makes him a liability on the run, but his quickness and bend can lead to quick wins at the rim. Uche had 11.5 sacks in 2022 and has two sacks and 13 total pressures this season. He has a one-year, $3 million contract.

Za'Darius Smith of the Cleveland Browns: Cleveland desperately needs capital for its upcoming rebuild, but would Browns general manager Andrew Berry really sell Smith to a division rival? The former Ravens edge rusher has four sacks in seven games and a higher win percentage than Oweh, according to PFF. Smith, 32, has a base salary of just $1.2 million in 2024 and $1.5 million in 2025, but he would also be eligible for roster and option bonuses next year.

Adam Butler of the Las Vegas Raiders: It's hard to imagine Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby playing the star defensive end. It's equally hard to imagine DeCosta parting with the draft capital he needed to sign a player of Crosby's caliber. But Butler was at least able to help the Ravens speed up the pass inside. He finished with five sacks last season and may be unlucky not to have one this year; According to ESPN, he ranks 12th among defensive tackles in win percentage. The Ravens have a deep line with elite run stuffers, but Butler could help them keep Madubuike and Jones fresh on pass rush downs. The 30-year-old has a one-year contract with a base salary of $1.1 million.