Does Trading Back Make Sense For The Ravens:
The Baltimore Ravens have never been hesitant to trade back in the 2016 NFL Draft. It makes sense to trade back when there are targeted players you can get a handful of spots later. By trading back in the first round the Ravens would acquire more draft picks. But does trading back make sense, when you have the number six pick overall?
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The last time the Ravens had a top-10 pick was in 2003, when they selected Terrell Suggs 10th overall. The Ravens have had success in the top-10 picks. Their first draft pick ever, was the fourth overall pick in 1996. The Ravens took Jonathon Ogden, who played his entire career in Baltimore and is a Pro Football Hall of Famer. The Ravens also took Jamal Lewis with the fifth overall pick in the 2000 NFL Draft; that worked out pretty well too.
While the Ravens are far from first-timers with trading out of their pick, it would be a first time trading out of a top-10 pick. The Ravens have several needs. They need a pass rusher. They need a cornerback. The offensive line could use some depth and the inside linebacker position should be addressed as well. The sixth overall pick could be an antidote to one of their problems.
If Jalen Ramsey were available it would be awfully hard to pass on him. He would fix the Ravens need at the cornerback position. Ramsey is the best overall player on the Ebony Bird Big Board. If he were to fall to the sixth pick, the Ravens would need a great deal to move back.
The Ravens could also solve address their pass rushing needs with the early pick. If Noah Spence or Joey Bosa was available with the sixth pick, either one of them could be a game changer. There is surely talent early in this draft that could behoove the Ravens greatly.
On the other side of the coin, you have a compelling argument. In a draft rich with cornerback and pass rushing prospects, the Ravens could trade back and get more bang for their bucks. Imagine drafting more than one superstar in this draft.
The Ravens have more than one need. They have nine picks in the draft as it stands now. Trading back may give the Ravens the leverage they need to make a move or two later in the draft. Say the Ravens want to trade up in the second or third round. Trading back in round one may give the team the ammunition to do so. If they don’t make deals, they still have more picks than they started with.
The Ravens really are in a win-win situation. They will either take a great player that will help them now, or they will trade back. They either get more picks, or they get the apple of their drafting eye. It will be interesting to see what the Ravens do.