Potential Ravens Trade Targets 1.0

EDC trying to figure out what to do. (via AI)

Nothing has gone right for the Baltimore Ravens in 2025. The team enters their Week 8 matchup against the Chicago Bears with a 1-5 record. For those who live under a rock and have not heard this stat: There have only been 4 teams in NFL history to start 1-5 and make the playoffs.

Somehow, someway, the Ravens still have a chance, but it won't be easy.

Despite the fact that the team faces incredible pressure, both internally and externally, John Harbaugh and the Ravens staff remain confident that they can turn this season around. As crazy as it may seem, there is reason to believe that they could. The biggest issue thus far has been the defense, which is currently allowing the most points per game (32.3 PPG) and the third most yards per game (380.8 YPG). The team showed progress last Sunday, holding the high-powered Rams offense to a season-low 17 points and just 241 yards. It wasn't a perfect game by any means, but it was a step in the right direction. A handful of key players are expected to return from injury next week, none more important than QB Lamar Jackson (NOTE: Lamar did not practice Monday). And of course, a timely loss by Pittsburgh to the Joe Flacco-led Bengals (shoutout Joe!) has this Ravens team sitting just 3 games out of first place in the AFC North.

The Ravens' window to make the playoffs is still open, and GM Eric DeCosta is approaching the final days before the trade deadline with an aggressive mindset. According to Ian Rapoport, the Ravens have been calling around the league searching for help on defense. The team has already made one move, sending EDGE Odafe Oweh to the Chargers in return for SAF Alohi Gilman and a day 3 draft pick. From the outside, it appeared that this trade was made to shake up the defensive personnel, however there are other reasons behind-the-scenes that factored into move.

Rumors rarely leak out of the Castle (NOTE 2.0: typed this before the Baltimore Sun hit job article), leaving fans wondering who or what the Ravens are looking for. However, there are some on the Everything App (formerly known as Twitter) who claim to have inside information from their #sources:

Who knows if this #source is credible, but those are a majority of the teams likely to be sellers over the next two weeks. The Ravens will need to make a couple of moves to improve the quality and health of this roster. As nice as it would be to add an impact star player, acquiring valuable depth pieces is just as important. Below is a look at potential targets that may interest the Ravens:

Would Be Nice... Not Happening

• DL Jeffery Simmons (TEN)

• DL Dexter Lawrence (NYG)

• EDGE Maxx Crosby (LV)

Star players on rebuilding teams with multiple years of control. Seems like a match made in heaven for a Ravens team that desperately needs impact players on the defensive line. However, this is not Madden. Trades involving star players in-season are basically unheard of. "But what about Micah Parsons and Roquan Smith!?"... Two guys who requested trades because they couldn't reach an extension with their original teams? Yeah, that is not the case here. All three guys are under contract for at least 2 more years (if not 3), and are key players both on the field and in the locker room. It has been reported in recent days that Simmons and Crosby will not be traded, officially ending any trade speculation. Lawrence has not yet been officially declared untouchable, however the Giants GM and HC are both fighting for their jobs, and the team has played much better with Jaxson Dart behind center. That should be enough to cross him off the list.

Would Be Nice... Not Happening...Right??

• DL Quinnen Williams (NYJ)

Everything I just mentioned in the previous section also applies to Quinnen Williams. The soon-to-be 28 year old is one of the top players at his position. Williams enters Week 8 as PFF's 10th highest graded defensive lineman, and holds the top spot as the highest graded run defender.

Well...

On SNY's "Jets Final Drive" show today, Jets reporter Connor Hughes said this regarding Quinnen Williams:

Now, I got a little ahead of myself on this one. Connor Hughes reached out to sources around the league, not inside the Jets building, to gauge the interest and value for Jets players. However, it is important to note that there are rumblings that the contract situation is not in a good spot. As mentioned by Hughes, there is very little future guaranteed money after this season. If Quinnen wants a new deal, that changes the game. The Ravens, who could be without Nnamdi Madubuike for the foreseeable future, should take advantage of this rare opportunity.

Run It Back

• G Kevin Zeitler (TEN)

• G John Simpson (NYJ)

Raise your hand if you are sick and fucking tired of watching Daniel Faalele and Andrew Vorhees stumble over themselves each and every week? Okay, now that I have everyone's attention, let me interest you in two replacements that would make this offensive line look like they've played together before. Oh, wait, they have? For an entire season? Including an AFC Championship Game?!?! WOW!

Anyways- there is a rare opportunity for the Ravens to add two starting caliber offensive lineman that actually know the system and have played in it at a high level. These would be two low cost moves that could pay off massively. Stanley, Simpson, Linderbaum, and Zeitler all played together during the 2023 run. I'm sure they'd pick up right where they left off if the Ravens brought them back. Also- Roger Rosengarten (who has played like DOG SHIT this year) would benefit from having a high quality veteran to his left, as opposed to a fat piece of shit in Faalele.

I'll Pass, Thanks

• EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux (NYG)

• EDGE Jermaine Johnson II (NYJ)

• EDGE Will McDonald IV (NYJ)

I could write so many things, but at the end of the day, you'd be paying an arm and a leg for any of these guys. I was a big fan of Thibodeaux, but he's essentially Oweh if Oweh was a better run defender. Not to mention it would likely cost a 2nd rounder for him. Johnson is coming off of an Achilles injury, but would also cost more than he's worth. McDonald is a one-trick-pony, and he's not even doing that trick well this year. Smell ya.

Run It Back 2.0

• EDGE/DL Jihaad Ward (TEN)

The former Raven would be a low-cost move that provides quality depth and versatility along the defensive line. Solid run defender. Wouldn't cost more than a late round pick.

• LB Chris Board (NYG)

Why not? Good special teams player. Roquan played much better with him by his side last year. Fuck it. Bring em all back.

Run It Back 3.0 (Practice Squad Hot List)

• WR Odell Beckham Jr (PEDs)

Good for the locker room. Good vibes guy. Going to be juiced up after his 6 game PED suspension. If someone goes down, get juiced up Odell out there.

Shirts off for Odell.