The Baltimore Ravens enter this Tuesday's trade deadline in a tricky spot. They came into this season with Super Bowl aspirations, but at 4-5 with Lamar Jackson out for six to nine weeks, this is starting to feel like another lost season. To be clear, Baltimore shouldn't enter a true rebuild while Lamar is still around.
However, it would be logical for the Ravens to trade some of their veterans who don't have much of a future with the team. Doing so would open up some cap space and give the Ravens some draft capital back. In turn, they'll be in a better position next offseason.
With that in mind, here are four players who stand out as possible trade candidates.
(Note Mark Andrews isn't included on this list due to his contract.)
Marlon Humphrey
I don't think there's a single Ravens fan who would be sad to see Marlon Humphrey get traded at the deadline, and it's easy to see why. Humphrey has struggled to hold up in coverage, routinely giving up big plays this season, and at 30 years old, he is simply past his prime.
With Humphrey's contract up after this season, he clearly has no future with the team. The Ravens need to find a long-term cornerback option alongside Nate Wiggins. Therefore, it would be logical for the Ravens to trade Humphrey at the deadline. And despite his shaky season, plenty of teams, including the Detroit Lions, Los Angeles Rams, and New York Giants, could stand to benefit from adding a veteran corner.
Considering all of this, it wouldn't be surprising if Humphrey finds a new home at the deadline.
Justice Hill
Justice Hill has emerged as a trade candidate recently. Adam Schefter noted that the Giants contacted Baltimore about Hill. While Hill has good pass-catching chops and is stout in pass protection, he's not an integral part of the Ravens' offense.
Plus, much like Humphrey, he's a free agent this offseason. As such, if the Ravens get a solid offer for Hill, it would make sense for them to take it. Now, the Ravens wouldn't have a clear RB 2 if they were to trade Hill. Regardless, rookie Adam Randall should be returning soon, and getting any sort of value for someone you may lose in free agency would be worthwhile.
Calais Campbell
At 40 years old, retirement is on the horizon for Calais Campbell. Surely, he wants to play for a true contender as his career winds down. Unfortunately, the Ravens aren't that. Working out a trade for Campbell would be doing right by him in some way. Still, the Ravens would benefit from a Campbell trade by getting some extra draft capital.
Teams in need of some extra interior play could be intrigued by Campbell. Even at his advanced age, he's an impactful defensive lineman. In theory, a reunion with the Jacksonville Jaguars makes sense for all parties. Either way, there's a fairly strong chance that Campbell is moved by Tuesday.
Rashod Bateman
It briefly looked like Rashod Bateman was turning the corner and developing more consistently this season. Sadly, he's fallen back to his old ways. Over the past four weeks, Bateman has just 61 yards and four receptions. In fairness, this shaky stretch has coincided with Jackson missing time, and he's already exceeded his production from last season.
Without a doubt, though, Bateman hasn't lived up to his three-year, $36.7 million contract. There have been rumors about Bateman being a trade candidate dating back to the offseason. More recently, both ESPN's Jeremy Fowler and Brian McFarland pegged Bateman as a trade candidate. If a wide receiver-needy team is willing to give the Ravens some value for him, clearing some cap space would make this worthwhile. Giving rookie wideout Ja'Kobi Lane a bigger role in the offense is another benefit.
Ultimately, it's unlikely that all four of these players will get traded, but it wouldn't be surprising if at least a couple of them were moved as the Ravens look to reshuffle their roster.
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