The Baltimore Ravens are off to a horrendous start, sitting at 1-5 entering their Week 7 bye. While they are deep behind in the AFC playoff picture, things appear poised to go up from here. They are getting several impactful players back from injury and are expected to see one of the easiest schedules in the NFL the rest of the way.
Still, it will be tough to bounce back. They are 12th in the AFC playoff standings and will need a ton of help. Despite all that, Head Coach John Harbaugh still has high hopes for the team’s 2025 campaign.
Recent reports surrounding the NFL trade deadline all but confirm the Ravens will try to be buyers at this year’s deadline. The acquisition of safety Alohi Gilman from the Los Angeles Chargers in the Odafe Oweh trade made their contending hopes clear, but the latest trade buzz around the league makes it obvious.
NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport provided updates from around the league regarding potential players on the trade block and where teams stand with the trade deadline just weeks away. For Baltimore, General Manager Eric DeCosta is looking to continue to make moves. Rapoport wrote:
“The Ravens have been calling around the league for defensive help, which makes sense given GM Eric DeCosta's trade-happy ways and their laundry list of injuries.”
Ravens could be buyers at trade deadline
The defense looked improved in Baltimore’s Week 6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, but Rapoport’s update makes it clear DeCosta may not be done adding to Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr’s unit. The defense desperately needs pass rush help, and that will likely be the area that sees another addition if one is to come.
The Ravens lost outside linebacker Tavius Robinson to a broken foot in Week 6. After moving Oweh, and Robinson now out for six to eight weeks, the pass rush group is severely shallow. Baltimore already had trouble pressuring quarterbacks, totaling just eight sacks through six weeks, which ranks tied for third-worst in the league. Now, that struggling unit is expected to get even worse.
Rapoport listed several pass rushers as potential trade candidates in his article. Miami Dolphins outside linebackers Jaelen Phillips, Bradley Chubb, and Matthew Judon have been mentioned countless times. New England Patriots outside linebacker Anfernee Jennings, who has been demoted on the depth chart, could be a possibility, especially for a team like the Ravens with so few pass rushers. Even New York Jets outside linebacker Jermaine Johnson II could have an outside chance at being moved.
Despite the idea that Baltimore is looking for more defensive help, they need offensive line reinforcements, as well. With so many areas of the team needing improvements, they may not be aggressive buyers. Regardless, we should expect another classic deadline of DeCosta wheeling and dealing, whether that be buying or selling.