2014 NFL Draft: Trading Back an Option For the Ravens
By Patrick Conn
Dec 16, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Jacoby Jones (12) against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
The Baltimore Ravens have only four selections in the upcoming NFL Draft (fewest in the draft). This might be part of the reason they went after free agent Steve Smith on top of resigning Dennis Pitta, Eugene Monroe and Jacoby Jones among others. They could ill afford to go into the draft with all of these vacancies. Should Ozzie Newsome’s first round targets be gone before the 17th pick, should the Ravens trade back?
Trading back should be a viable option for the team. In this instance you don’t take a guy too early when there is a possibility to move back in the draft and pick up more selections. Another wide receiver shouldn’t be out of the question even with the signing of Smith. There is the age concern since he is 35 going into the season. Tight end is another position that can be focused on later in the draft and the Ravens need to fill the hole left by Michael Oher.
Most fans will panic at the thought of trading back but with such a deep draft at a number of positions, teams can afford to do so. There are a few of tackle needy teams near the top so I wouldn’t expect one of the top four guys to fall to them. Newsome and head coach John Harbaugh have put this team in a favorable position with their moves during the early free agency period. At this point it may be a coin toss if they trade back but Newsome would be doing a disservice if he doesn’t at least consider it.