Ravens: 3 running back trades to explore before the deadline

2. Ravens trade target: D’Ernest Johnson (Cleveland Browns)

D’Ernest Johnson had the biggest game of his career in Week 7 against the Denver Broncos in primetime on Thursday night.

Johnson carried 22 times for 146 yards and a touchdown. If he had had this type of game for almost any other team in the league, he would have shot up the depth chart.

That isn’t the case for the Cleveland Browns as the only reason Johnson got the opportunity to even play was that the Browns had Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt out with injury.

Both of those guys are set to come back soon, demoting him back to likely third on the depth chart. This could open the door for the Browns to get decent enough compensation for the former undrafted free agent.

The Browns could get greedy and ask for as high as a third-round pick for Johnson knowing a team could get desperate and offer that, especially a division rival.

The Ravens may not be willing to offer a third but a package of a fourth-round along with a couple of later-round swaps could do the trick.

3. Ravens trade target: Marlon Mack (Indianapolis Colts)

Marlon Mack has been linked to the Ravens for a while now. Mack has asked the Indianapolis Colts to start looking for trade partners for him as he would like more playing time. Mack had good seasons in 2018 and 2019 rushing for 2,000 yards combined across both seasons.

In 2020, Mack tore his Achilles ending his season after one game. Rookie Jonathan Taylor came in and contributed nearly 1,500 yards from scrimmage and 12 touchdowns.

This made Mack’s position in the Colts’ offense expendable. Nyheim Hines is the Colts’ third-down back and is the player that comes in on passing downs, further reducing the snaps for Mack.
The Colts could move on from Mack for a small price.

A Day 3 draft pick in the sixth or seventh round could be enough for the Colts to let Mack go.