Ravens: Jaylon Ferguson is a potential trade candidate at the deadline

The Baltimore Ravens have very, very little cap space at the moment, but they do have a potentially promising trade chip come the trade deadline: Jaylon Ferguson.

Ferguson’s roster spot was in jeopardy this summer, and he’s heading even closer to the trade block now as the third-year outside linebacker has severely disappointed since joining Baltimore in 2019.

After the Ravens acquired Justin Houston, Ferguson was relegated to even more of a depth piece in the Ravens’ pass-rushing corps.

With Houston, Odafe Oweh, Tyus Bowser, and Pernell McPhee as the definite core rotation for the Ravens, Ferguson is now fighting for a rotational role alongside injured rookie Daelin Hayes.

At this point, Baltimore may be more inclined to work Hayes into the defensive unit once he returns rather than potentially waste another year on Ferguson.

Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic writes of Ferguson:

"“Ferguson, a third-round pick in 2019 after a record-setting career at Louisiana Tech, has been a disappointment, and he’s buried on the team’s outside linebacker depth chart. He’s a physical edge setter against the run, but he has just 4½ sacks in two-plus seasons.”"

Ravens OLB Jaylon Ferguson may offer more value as a trade chip

Anyone still comparing him to former Ravens great Terrell Suggs hasn’t been keeping tabs on his performance so far in his NFL career.

Ferguson has played in just two games in 2021 — he played in 12 percent of defensive snaps in Week 1 and played just two percent of defensive snaps in Week 2.

Given his lack of playing time, his stat sheet remains mostly empty, but then again, it’s been accumulating dust and cobwebs over the last three years.

After an incredible collegiate career, Ferguson never lived up to his potential as the prolific pass-rusher many expected him to be in the pro league.

Maybe the Ravens wanted too much of him too soon, but either way, he could get more playing time and get a much-needed change of scenery if Baltimore trades him at the deadline.

With the Ravens’ injury plague this year, the chances of them putting Ferguson on the market feels slim. The Ravens, out of all NFL teams, know just how important roster depth is.

Still, some rebuilding teams might be intrigued by Ferguson’s upside and want to invest in a young, developmental pass rusher.

If the asking price is right, Jaylon Ferguson could be on his way out of Baltimore. He wouldn’t be missed by many.