The Baltimore Ravens find themselves in a somewhat precarious situation. At present, they lead the AFC North and have yet to drop a game within the division. But at 4-3, their lead seems tenuous, and five of their games have come down to a touchdown or less. If the Ravens hope to live up to their Super Bowl potential, they’ll need to improve in the very near future.
Baltimore’s best chance for improvement likely involves the trade market. NFL teams have until Nov. 1 to consummate deals, a deadline that arrives in less than a week. If recent history serves as any indication, a field-tilting move or two will go down.
So who could the Ravens target in a trade? They have no shortage of options, but some players offer more intrigue than others.
Available but uninspiring
Nelson Agholor
When healthy, the Ravens’ receiving corps has plenty to offer. Rashod Bateman has flashed high-end potential while Devin Duverney has made a handful of game-breaking plays this season. Unfortunately for Baltimore, Bateman missed Week 6 with a foot injury and did not make an appearance during the open portion of Tuesday’s practice. That doesn’t bode well for him playing on a short week, and regardless his week-to-week availability has come into question between this injury and the one that cost him five games last season.
The trade market doesn’t have a ton of great options. It does, however, offer some experience. Nelson Agholor has seen his usage plummet during his second season with the New England Patriots, appearing on just 46% of the team’s offensive snaps after playing roughly 73% of them a year ago. The Patriots have never had a problem dealing away veterans deemed too expensive to justify their on-field contributions, making Nelson a potential trade candidate.
But while Nelson probably would help, would he cost more than a late-round pick? Given the number of teams looking at the veteran receiver market, that seems like a distinct possibility, one that would likely remove the Ravens from the pursuit.
Cam Akers
The Los Angeles Rams have already declared their intentions to trade Cam Akers, the former second-round pick who has registered just 51 carries so far in 2022. Akers has the size and speed combination the Ravens covet at the position, but he hasn’t translated those traits into productive play since his rookie season.
Conversely, he wouldn’t cost much, and the Ravens certainly won’t overspend on role players. But, ultimately, what can Akers provide that Baltimore can’t find with their current group of running backs or those available on the open market? Those concerns probably mean Akers won’t generate a ton of interest from general manager Eric DeCosta.
Goldilocks zone
Brandin Cooks
Earlier this season, the Houston Texans just restructured Brandin Cooks’ contract by converting some of his base salary into signing bonus, a sign that the team didn’t have any interest in dealing the veteran wideout. But with the abrupt dismissal of executive Jack Easterby, the approach in Houston has changed, and the front office now appears willing to at least hear offers for Cooks.
Given the Ravens’ injuries at wideout, a field-stretcher like Cooks could open up the passing game. His experience would likely also pay dividends for Baltimore’s young receiving corps. The price, of course, will determine how much interest DeCosta would have in the veteran. However, this seems like a natural fit from a football perspective.
Robert Quinn
[Editor’s note: The Philadelphia Eagles traded for Robert Quinn prior to publication.]
The Ravens have rushed the passer well enough so far in 2022 that they could conceivably get by just fine without any additional firepower. According to Pro Football Focus, second-year pro Odafe Oweh leads the team with 23 pressures in seven games with reliable veteran Calais Campbell not far behind with 18. Meanwhile, Justin Houston has contributed 15 pressures in just four games while Justin Madubuike has 14 in a complementary role.
But while the overall numbers look fine, the Ravens would certainly benefit from another quality pass rusher, especially considering the more zone-heavy, blitz-light approach of new defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald.
The Chicago Bears’ Robert Quinn fits the description and might cost less than some might suspect. Just a few months ago, Quinn pushed for a trade before eventually reporting for training camp, but the situation hasn’t changed much otherwise. While the Bears just pulled off a big win on Monday Night Football, they don’t have any long-term commitment to Quinn who has no guaranteed money left on his deal.
Probably fantasy
Bradley Chubb
With the Denver Broncos in freefall having endured four consecutive losses, just about everything seems on the table. Bradley Chubb, the 26-year-old star pass rusher, wouldn’t appear to be an ideal candidate to move. However, he has yet to sign a long-term extension and the front office could use premium draft picks after sending away multiple to acquire Russell Wilson.
To make a deal, the Ravens would likely need to relinquish multiple draft picks as well as hammer out an extension with Chubb to justify the cost. Baltimore projects to have roughly $48.9 million in available cap space in 2023, so that part doesn’t seem quite as concerning. Still, acquiring Chubb would represent a major swing for a team that doesn’t typically traffic in such moves.
Aaron Jones
With J.K. Dobbins spending at least three more games on injured reserve while he recovers from his latest knee procedure and Kenyan Drake and Gus Edwards better served in reserve roles, the Ravens’ ground game could use a shot in the arm. But trading for a running back who doesn’t offer much in the passing game doesn’t move the needle, at least not enough to merit serious consideration.
Kareem Hunt would make some sense but the Cleveland Browns have no incentive to bolster a division rival. Josh Jacobs has the requisite skill set but the Las Vegas Raiders seem more committed to him as of late. With those names seemingly off the board, perhaps the trade market doesn’t offer an appealing option to the Ravens.
Or does it? The past few years have seen players moved before the deadline with little-to-no prior warning. Perhaps that history will repeat itself in 2022 with Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones.
Don’t let the Packers’ underwhelming season distract from Jones’ impressive play. The veteran running back ranks among the league’s most efficient and dangerous rushers (see exhibit A) while also offering plus receiving traits (exhibit B).
With an aging and highly paid quarterback in Aaron Rodgers, football politics might stand in the way of the Packers becoming sellers at the deadline. However, the team needs to cut back on cap spending before the 2023 league year begins, and Jones might prove too expensive to retain given those constrictions. If so, procuring a decent draft asset now for the talented running back makes sense for all parties.
Jason B. Hirschhorn is an award-winning sports journalist and Pro Football Writers of America member. He has bylines at NFL.com, SB Nation, Sports Illustrated, and other outlets.