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Yannick Ngakoue is a Raven: 3 big things on a big trade

By Chris Schisler

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - OCTOBER 11: Yannick Ngakoue #91 of the Minnesota Vikings looks on before their game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on October 11, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - OCTOBER 11: Yannick Ngakoue #91 of the Minnesota Vikings looks on before their game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on October 11, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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Baltimore Ravens
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – JANUARY 11: Matt Judon #99 of the Baltimore Ravens reacts during the AFC Divisional Playoff game Tennessee Titans at M&T Bank Stadium on January 11, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Getty Images) /

2. What this means for Matt Judon

It’s kind of a good day and kind of a bad day if you’re Matt Judon. On one hand, your job as a pass rusher just got easier with Ngakoue coming off the other defensive edge. On the other hand, your chances of getting a long-term deal with the Ravens are slim. Judon entered the season needing to prove that he was worth a long-term deal. The fact that the Ravens had to make this move is a loss for Judon. 12 tackles and two sacks just isn’t enough for Judon, when he’s supposed to be the best pass rusher on the team and he gets the most time on the field at outside linebacker.

What is likely to happen now is that Ngakoue will get the long-term contract and Judon will move on at the end of the season. One way or another though, Judon is still trying to secure a big payday. If Judon has an uptick in production it doesn’t hurt him. It doesn’t necessarily help him that much.

The Ravens had to add Calais Campbell and Yannick Ngakoue just to get something more out of Judon. Judon wasn’t the player that stirred the pot. He wasn’t the catalyst for an improved pass rush in this hypothetical. If the sack totals go up and the quarterback pressures see a steady incline, Ngakoue is getting that credit. Judon can’t win

Trading Judon in season doesn’t make a ton of sense. Judon’s not a bad player and he should get a boost from this move. It’s not entirely off the table, but don’t look for that. If Judon leaves this offseason the Ravens will get a compensatory pick because of it and the trade for Ngakoue at that point costs almost nothing in terms of draft resources. Judon will help the Ravens win now, though this move indicates he’s probably not in the long-term plans of Eric DeCosta.

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