The Baltimore Ravens always have plenty of depth at the back of their roster. This is why they can win so many games in the preseason. It is also a way for them to stack up draft picks. Yes, they get compensatory picks, but every once in a while, the team can trade a player on the back end of the roster and recycle that into a day-three pick.
Who are some players on the Ravens depth chart that could end up being traded before the season starts?
4. Would the Baltimore Ravens be best served trading Ben Cleveland?
The curious case of Ben Cleveland lives on. First, he was expected to be the starter at left guard. Then, he lost his job to John Simpson and Sala Aumavae-Laulu quickly. We thought he may have been in a competition with those two, but he is flat-out not in the running as the player was cut from the Raiders, and the sixth-round rookie beat him out with ease.
However, he has been getting looks as the backup at both right tackle and right guard. In one regard, the team may want to keep him because the contracts of Kevin Zeitler, and Morgan Moses suggest they may be elsewhere next year. Still, the Ravens also have Daniel Faalele and drafted Andrew Vorhees to compete to start at right guard next year.
This slide could have said that whoever the Ravens feel less confident in starting at right tackle between Faalele and Cleveland can go. With Patrick Mekari, the backup right guard, and one of Faalele and Cleveland, that is already eight offensive linemen, so the ninth man is not guaranteed. Why not turn a spot that is not guaranteed into a draft pick?
Cleveland was drafted in round three and is still on his rookie salary, he could fetch them something, and a change of scenary may do him well.
3. Is Tyler Huntley on the trading block?
The Baltimore Ravens starting Josh Johnson over Tyler Huntley in the preseason opener was a bit curious. It would be one thing if Huntley did not play because his job was secured, but he played deep into the second half, almost like he was earning his job.
The Ravens can save about $2M when you factor in displacement by keeping Johnson and trading Huntley. The combination of not only shedding a few million but also gaining a pick would be huge for the Baltimore Ravens, based on where they stand.
They are up against the salary cap, and the team that relies on draft picks was thin last year after some aggressive trades and a lack of compensatory picks. The Ravens need to refill the pipeline with rookie salaries and players who can get on the field with those salaries. Anything that they can get for Huntley could help.
It may hurt them that Huntley is injured, or it could help. The Ravens could see Johnson being worthy of the backup role, confirming their confidence to make the move. Of course, it could also end with them saying that they need to keep Huntley, so this will be worth watching.
2. The Baltimore Ravens may get a return for Devin Duvernay
Devin Duvernay has done everything you can do to earn a roster spot. Or has Devin Duvernay done everything you need to get a decent return in a trade? When you think about it, Duvernay could help the team out in a big way by getting traded.
First, he would shed about $4.3M in salary in a trade. Of course, the asset that they would get back helps as well. Beyond that, he has a role in the wide receiver room, but it could be supplemented. If Rashod Bateman and Odell Beckham are healthy, Zay Flowers will do a lot of the gadget work that Duvernay is known for.
Beyond that, they have plenty of depth. Those three lead the way, but Nelson Agholor can do a lot of what Duvernay does as well. Then, there is Tylan Wallace, Laquon Treadwell, and James Proche. Duvernay could get traded, and Agholor, Wallace, and Treadwell could fill four through six on the depth chart with ease.
Duvernay is a great return option, but Flowers can return punts, and rookie UDFA running back Keaton Mitchell has shown himself as a capable kick return option. The need for Duvernay on this roster is not as needed, but plenty of teams would love an All-Pro return man who can provide on offense.
1. Is it time for the Baltimore Ravens to move Malik Harrison
Malik Harrison is in the last year of his rookie deal. He will be a free agent after this year, and you have to think that he is ready to play for a different team and get a new chance. So, could the Ravens trade Harrison?
They do have a lot of depth at linebacker. Del'Shawn Phillips has flashed all preseason and has done everything you can ask to be considered a lock for the roster. Trenton Simpson is coming back from injury, but the third-round pick needs playing time.
Beyond those two are Josh Ross and Kristian Welch. Both would be easy-cut candidates, but the Ravens would not mind keeping either on the back end of the roster because of their special teams work. So, there is a way for them to move on. The only reason to keep him is that he is more of a downhill attacker than either Simpson or Phillips, and he can play the SAM role as a backup to Tyus Bowser if needed.
Still, those values will also be what gets him a potential pick in return via trade. If a team is willing to take that chance on Harrison, and they are worried that he will walk and get them little in compensatory value in return, they may pull the trigger now.