The Baltimore Ravens are having a disappointing season, to put it lightly. Through the first eight weeks, they’re 2–5. A win without Lamar Jackson over the Chicago Bears has helped breathe a bit of life into the team, but if Baltimore wants any chance to salvage the season, the team will need to make a few trades.
With that in mind, here are three trades they should make before the NFL trade deadline on Nov. 4 to try and salvage their season and return to being Super Bowl contenders.
DT Jeffery Simmons (Titans)
Ravens receive: DT Jeffery Simmons
Titans receive: 2026 first-round pick, 2026 second-round pick, 2027 fourth-round pick
With star defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike out for the year, the Ravens are especially in need of a dominant DT. One player who fills that void is Tennessee Titans star Jeffery Simmons. A three-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro, Simmons could provide the big splash play the Ravens need to rejuvenate their struggling defense.
With the defense currently tied for second-to-last in sacks with nine, they would be getting a guy who would immediately upgrade the pass rush and help the Ravens’ young defensive core by bringing in a dominant veteran leader.
Simmons has 4.5 sacks this year, half of what the Ravens have all season. Not only will his presence improve the pass defense, but he will also help the run defense, which ranks 26th in the league, by plugging up the giant gaps that runners are exploiting.
This is a type of trade where Ravens GM Eric DeCosta would have to wield some dark magic to make the cap space work. Even though the Titans aren’t expected to trade Simmons, that shouldn’t stop the Ravens from calling them up and throwing the kitchen sink to see if Tennessee is willing to take a bite.
OG Evan Neal
Ravens receive: OG Evan Neal
Giants receive: sixth-round pick
Another major issue the Ravens need to fix is the offensive line, specifically at right guard. Like their defense, the Ravens have been known in the past for their offensive line, which has helped a dominant run game. Unfortunately, that hasn’t been the case this year, as the team has given up 22 sacks in seven games, good for ninth-most in the league.
The main problem for the team is the play of starting right guard Daniel Faalele, who has not been playing well for the Ravens. With that in mind, the Ravens should take a chance on a low-risk, high-reward trade with the New York Giants’ offensive lineman Evan Neal. Neal, a former top-10 pick, is only 25 years old and is in his fourth season in the league.
While Evan Neal has been dreadful in pass protection, with a PFF grade of 49.6, he has been decent in the run with a run-blocking grade per PFF of 80.8 in 2024. If the Ravens can get him to convert from offensive tackle to guard, it might be worth rolling the dice to see if they can have even slightly below average play at the position.
This is the type of trade where there really is no risk for the Ravens. Neal is still on his rookie contract, so he won’t hurt the cap, and if he fails, it only costs them a late-round pick. If it succeeds, Baltimore gets a massive upgrade to the offensive line.
EDGE Chase Young
Ravens receive: Chase Young
Saints receive: fourth-round pick
https://twitter.com/hezzosmith/status/1898794670983115118
The biggest issue the Ravens need to fix is their edge rush. The team’s current edges are rookie Mike Green, Kyle Van Noy (34 years old), David Ojabo, and Carl Lawson. After injuries have decimated the roster, the Ravens are lacking another proven veteran to breathe life into a pass rush that has struggled all year.
To address their weak edge room, the Ravens should target former No. 2 overall pick Chase Young, who currently plays for the Saints. Young had a dominant rookie year, recording 7.5 sacks and earning a trip to the Pro Bowl. However, since then, he has faced challenges with injuries early in his career.
In three games this season, he’s played well for New Orleans. He’s earned a PFF Grade of 90.7, racking up eight tackles and two sacks in a short period of time.
Much like the Evan Neal trade, this move is low-risk and has a high-reward. If Chase Young can return to his 2023 form, when he had 7.5 sacks, he could be the deciding factor in whether the Ravens save their season or not. Not only that, but with him signing a three-year contract extension this year, the Ravens have the opportunity to get a valuable starter on a friendly deal.
Bottom Line
The Ravens already have their backs against the wall, and it’s do-or-die. Sitting at 2-5, there’s zero margin for error. If they want to save their season, these trades wouldn’t just patch holes — they would give the fanbase a desperate boost of confidence that the season is not over yet.
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