NFL Trade Deadline: How Baltimore Ravens Could Cap Off Roster
A burner from a division rival?
Ross is not the X receiver that this offense is missing, but he does further build the “track team” that Eric DeCosta said he was building over the offseason, and his ability to take the top off defenses would give opposing defenses something else to worry about. Ross has also been used in the kinds of unique packages and play calls that Roman likes to run, and could help the Baltimore offense take another step towards looking like it did at its peak a season ago.
His minimal statistical output so far this year and expiring contract both make Ross another target that would come at a low cost for a Ravens team that already parted with two picks (including a 2021 third rounder) to acquire Ngakoue. Ross carries a ~$5.4-million cap hit for the 2020 season according to OverTheCap, but the Bengals would likely be willing to retain some of that in order to recoup some value for their former first-round pick.
More talented speedsters like the Texans’ Brandin Cooks and Will Fuller IV could be available, but also come with cap hits that likely won’t be able to fit without some major maneuvering, and would presumably come at a higher acquisition cost as well.
The offensive line has clearly felt the loss of retired right guard Marshall Yanda, and there are few linemen out there that could A) be available B) make a difference and C) not carry an unpalatable cap hit. There is arguably no player that scores higher on that collective criteria than Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow.
Ragnow has yet to give up a sack this season for Detroit, and has scored a very impressive 79.3 player grade from Pro Football Focus.
He’s under control through 2022 (including a fifth-year option), and carries just a ~$3.2-million cap hit, both of which should drive up the asking price, but if interior offensive line is on the list of needs heading into the 2021 draft anyway (and it appears it will be), Baltimore can justify parting with some draft capital now to address that hole for the next few seasons with Ragnow.
Next. Top 3 offseason moves paying off this season. dark
The Arkansas product is certainly not the flashiest name on this, but may be the most ideal target of the all.