Despite entering Week 8 of the NFL season with a record of 1-5, the Baltimore Ravens are expected to be buyers at the trade deadline. They could sell some pieces, including tight end Mark Andrews, but the signs are pointing more toward General Manager Eric DeCosta adding pieces via the trade market.
A ton of that speculation will depend on the outcome of Baltimore’s Week 8 matchup with the Chicago Bears. If they fall to 1-6, their playoff hopes would almost certainly be dead. However, if they improve to 2-5, they could be aggressive buyers, especially given their light schedule from Week 9 to Week 12.
ESPN’s NFL writers Matt Bowen and Jeremy Fowler recently constructed a list of the top 25 trade deadline candidates who could be on the move in the coming weeks, along with nine honorable mentions. While the Ravens were not listed as potential fits for any of the names listed, if they cement themselves as buyers in the coming weeks, several players could be clear fits.
Here are three players from the list who could be exactly what Baltimore needs to help turn their season around.
3 ESPN trade deadline targets who could fill Ravens’ needs
Jermaine Johnson
New York Jets’ pass rusher Jermaine Johnson has been one of the more hyped up potential trade targets this deadline. The Jets are the only winless team left in the NFL, and while Johnson still has another year left on his contract, a trade could seriously help get their rebuild off the ground. He has just one sack in 2025, but has registered a 68.4 grade, per Pro Football Focus (PFF), and has accounted for nine hurries.
The Ravens desperately need pass rushers. While the Odafe Oweh trade is helping the secondary with the acquisition of safety Alohi Gilman, the pressure rate, which was already horrendous, is seriously suffering. The team lost outside linebacker Tavius Robinson to a broken foot for six to eight weeks in their Week 6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, so Baltimore’s depth at the spot is even more shallow.
Johnson could be the perfect fit. He could not only help pressure the quarterback now, but at least for one more year, as well. Given that the playoff odds are stacked against the Ravens, a move that benefits the team both now and in 2026 would likely be the most logical. The move would come with a price, but DeCosta is known for making deadline deals.
Boye Mafe
Staying on the topic of pass rushers, Bowen and Fowler listed Seattle Seahawks outside linebacker Boye Mafe as an honorable mention. They did not put a percent chance on the likelihood of him being traded, but he has been the third option off the edge in recent weeks, which could open up a trade scenario.
Mafe brings the juice. He has a 70.7 PFF grade through seven games, including a 72.5 pass rush grade. He has yet to register a sack this year, but he generates quick pressure with his burst and has posted 19 hurries.
While the duo of Demarcus Lawrence and Uchenna Nwosu have seen more snaps than the 26-year-old in the past two weeks, Mafe has still been an integral part of the defense. Ravens’ fans know well that Seattle Head Coach Mike Macdonald loves pass rush depth, so it is likely a long shot that Baltimore could land Mafe in a deal. Still, it sounds like there is a non-zero percent chance.
Evan Neal
New York Giants’ offensive lineman Evan Neal is not a flashy name. The 2022 number-seven overall pick has been a bust four years into his NFL career. He has yet to play a down in 2025, and while his play at tackle has been abysmal, a move to guard could change the trajectory of his career, which could also fill a pressing need for the Ravens.
Guards Andrew Vorhees and Daniel Faalele have been highly inconsistent this year. The position group is clearly one of Baltimore’s most significant weaknesses, and while in-house options like Ben Cleveland and Corey Bullock could be the answer, Neal should also be in play.
Neal has been one of the worst pass protectors in the league, but run blocking is where he has proven to be somewhat serviceable. He posted an 80.8 run blocking grade, per PFF, in seven starts in 2024. At guard, there could be a slight improvement in his game, and at this point, the Ravens could take a swing at anyone possible to try and get the offensive line into a rhythm.
There is no guarantee that Baltimore will be a buyer in the coming weeks. They could stand pat, or even sell, but for now, these trade candidates could make some sense if DeCosta opts to search for improvements at the deadline.