Trading Back Could Behoove The Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are in a good position going into the 2016 NFL Draft. They have the sixth-overall pick. While it is a chance to procure a top-10 talent, it would not be surprising to see the Ravens trade back. What kind of deals could be on the table, when the Ravens are on the clock?
First of all, we can rule out the Ravens trading up. It doesn’t match the Ravens MO, or make much sense. Jalen Ramsey would be great to have, but there are other cornerbacks in the proverbial sea. The Ravens either use their pick, or use it to get more picks.
The Ravens need to get a lot for the sixth pick. When the Buffalo Bills traded up with the Cleveland Browns to get Sammy Watkins, they gave away a lot. They swapped first round picks, and gave them their first and fourth round pick in the next draft. That was just trading from the ninth slot to the fifth slot.
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When the Atlanta Falcons traded up from the 27th pick to the sixth pick in 2011, they gave up five picks. They gave the Browns, three picks that draft, and two picks (including their first round pick) in the following draft.
No matter who trades with the Ravens, the precedent is two first round picks and a pile of other picks. So this is a way to stockpile picks for this draft and the next. It would be nice to have two first round picks in 2016. Remember in 1996, when the Ravens took Jonathan Ogden and Ray Lewis in the first round? Ozzie can do a lot of good with draft picks; the more the Ravens have the better.
If Myles Jack is available, the New York Giants might trade up to take him. They have a desperate need at linebacker and this may be the year they finally address it. Jack would be a player the Ravens would be interested in, but if they trade back Reggie Ragland becomes an option. The Oakland Raiders are another team to watch here. The inside linebacker spot was one of the needs they did not address in free agency.
Another team that may have interest is the New Orleans Saints. If Joey Bosa was available, the Saints would be very interested. New Orleans needs pass rushers badly.
The Los Angeles Rams need a quarterback. If one of the top names is still there, they may get nervous. The Rams have the 15th pick. This would really work out for the Ravens, as the Rams would have to move up nine spots.
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The Denver Broncos are also a team that could trade up to get a quarterback. With no Brock Osweiler in Denver, the Broncos QB situation looks pretty bleak. The Broncos would have to trade up from the 31st pick. That would give the Ravens a filled shopping cart worth of picks.