Baltimore Ravens: Is Jimmy Smith a good trade-bait option?

It’s hard to be considered a team’s best defensive player if you’re never on the field. With this being the case, one has to wonder if the Ravens would be willing to part ways with Jimmy Smith if the price was right.

Baltimore now has the depth to consistently shut down an opposing team’s passing attack. With second year man Marlon Humphrey and the ever so durable Brandon Carr at the one and two spots on the depth chart, and Tavon Young working out of the slot, the Ravens can move on to a defense without Jimmy Smith. Smith could garner a real return if the right team is interested. He’s still playing at an elite level (when he’s actually on the field), provide Smith with major trade major value.

Shipping Smith off to a team that has had trouble in their secondary, such as the Atlanta Falcons, Minnesota Vikings, or Kansas City Chiefs (among others) could help the Ravens fill one of their voids on the offensive side of the ball. Any of the teams listed above could use Smith’s talents. It’s just a matter of if the Ravens are ready to move on from Smith and have the trust in Humphrey to control that number one corner position.

In the four games this season without Smith, the Ravens defense is sixth in passing yards allowed. They have also only given up six touchdown passes, tied for second best in the NFL. They have shown that they can do more than hold their own without Smith.

It’s needless to say that in previous years, losing Jimmy Smith would have put a huge dent in Baltimore’s secondary. Without him the secondary crumbled in an instant, but this year it’s different. It seems that they have the right guys who can get the job done without having #22 out there with them. The Ravens have plenty of holes that could be filled via the trade return that Smith could field. It’s just a matter of Ozzie and Co. finding that right deal that works for both teams.