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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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Dec 29, 2019; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) throws the ball as Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (91) defends during the fourth quarter at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 29, 2019; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) throws the ball as Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (91) defends during the fourth quarter at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Don’t forget how good Ngakoue is:

Ngakoue got traded to the Minnesota Vikings right before the beginning of the season. The idea that the Vikings would turn around and trade him may have some fans a little uneasy. Don’t look too much into it. The Vikings became sellers because of their 1-5 record and the Ravens became buyers because they knew they needed something else to get to the Super Bowl. Ngakoue is legitimately one of the best pass rushers in the NFL.

In his first two seasons he had 20 sacks. In the two years prior to this one he totaled 17.5 sacks. Sacks aren’t even his only specialty. He’s forced 16 fumbles in his NFL career, two of them coming this season. He may be the best defensive player in the league at the strip-sack attempt. While he’s only made the Pro Bowl in one season, he’s played right at the Pro Bowl level his entire career.

This is a player that a lot of Ravens fans wanted in Baltimore for a long time. When he was playing at College Park for the Maryland Terrapins, he was right in the Ravens’ backyard. It seemed like we spent all offseason talking about the chances of the Ravens maybe getting him or Jadeveon Clowney. The Ravens tried to trade for him before the season. This is a dream come true and it isn’t just for DeCosta.

dark. Next. Take home points at the bye week of the Ravens season

This move is one of the bigger trades in Ravens history. It feels comparable to when the Ravens signed Elvis Dumervil after a fax machine got in the way of Dumervil and the Denver Broncos. This has the chance to have the same kind of an impact, however the Ravens are getting Ngakoue in the absolute prime of his career. The Ravens got better with this trade. They got a lot better.

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