Despite sitting at the bottom of the AFC North with a record of 1-5 entering Week 8, the Baltimore Ravens are reportedly looking to be buyers at the trade deadline. A lot can change depending on the results of their matchups in the next two weeks. For now, though, General Manager Eric DeCosta is looking to find upgrades on the trade market.
The defense is the primary culprit of Baltimore’s struggles thus far in 2025. They made strides in their Week 6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, thanks to the addition of Alohi Gilman and the versatile usage of safety Kyle Hamilton. Still, it is a unit far out of sync, and DeCosta will need to make some significant changes to salvage this season.
The Athletic’s Dianna Russini recently released an article on the latest rumblings around the league ahead of the trade deadline. For Baltimore, Russini mentioned they are making calls for a corner.
While the secondary still needs help, especially with offseason signing Jaire Alexander being in and out of the lineup, it is not the most crucial need.
Ravens need to call for defensive line help
The pass rush and interior defensive line are the two biggest weaknesses on Baltimore’s defense in 2025. They desperately need attention at the deadline after a litany of injuries has taken out several key contributors.
On the interior, Nnamdi Madubuike is out for the season, and Broderick Washington Jr. remains on injured reserve with an ankle injury. Along the edge, Odafe Oweh was traded to the Los Angeles Chargers, and Tavius Robinson is out for at least six to eight weeks with a broken foot.
DeCosta has yet to fill these voids with anyone worthwhile, and while younger players like defensive linemen C.J. Okoye and Aeneas Peebles have flashed promise, neither has realistic expectations of becoming true gamechangers down the line this year.
Not only is the pass rush hurting, but the sack numbers before were abysmal, and since then, the team has plummeted to the bottom of the league. Their eight sacks in 2025 rank 32nd in the NFL through seven weeks. It was an already obvious issue that needed solving, but the increase in talent lost makes it all the more urgent that they find some help.
Yes, they added veteran edge rusher Carl Lawson recently, but that is not enough for the team to get back into playoff contention. Even if the coaching staff does think Lawson can help change things, he needs some time to get back into football shape, and will miss the Week 8 contest, and could be a long shot to play in their Week 9 Thursday Night Football Game against the Miami Dolphins.
Of course, Baltimore should continue stacking talent on defense, but if they do not turn their attention to the defensive line soon, things could go from bad to worse.