The Baltimore Ravens are 5-2 and are coming off of a thoroughly impressive 38-6 win over the Detroit Lions in Week 7.
However, it’s clear that the Ravens could use some roster upgrades ahead of the Oct. 31 NFL trade deadline.
Baltimore faces stiff competition in the AFC, ranging from the Kansas City Chiefs to the Buffalo Bills to the Miami Dolphins. Heck, even the Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars are threats.
In order to truly separate themselves from the pack, the Ravens need to make some moves.
Here are three trade targets for Baltimore to consider before the end of the month.
Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans
The Ravens feature a run-heavy offense, so when running back J.K. Dobbins went down with a torn Achilles earlier in the season, it was a massive blow for the club.
Gus Edwards and Justice Hill have done a fine job supplying the ground game with some juice in Dobbins’ absence, but neither guy is really a featured back.
Why not go after Derrick Henry?
The Titans could ultimately move Henry over the next several days, as they are just 2-4 and hardly resemble contenders. Henry’s contract is up at the end of the year, and he will be 30 years old once free agency begins. With a rebuild seeming inevitable for Tennessee, Henry no longer fits the franchise’s timeline.
That’s where Baltimore needs to jump in and make something happen.
Imagine a rushing attack that features all of Lamar Jackson, Henry, Edwards and Hill? Opposing defenses would have one heck of a time defending that running game.
Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos
Behind rookie wide receiver Zay Flowers, there isn’t a whole lot there for the Ravens.
Odell Beckham Jr. is barely a shell of the player he once was, and Rashod Bateman has been a significant disappointment since Baltimore took him in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
The Broncos have a couple of receivers who could be available in Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy, and Sutton seems to be a terrific fit for the Ravens.
Sutton has already caught five touchdown passes this season, so he could represent a big-time threat for Jackson in the red zone.
Jackson prefers to utilize his tight ends, but Sutton would unquestionably be a nice auxiliary piece for Baltimore in its aerial attack.
Brian Burns, Carolina Panthers
The Ravens already have a mighty fine pass rush, as they lead the NFL with 29 sacks through the first seven weeks. But why not double down and make the defense even more dominant?
Brian Burns may end up being the best defensive player available at the trade deadline, as the Panthers are 0-6 and were not able to reach a long-term agreement with Burns prior to the season.
Baltimore lays claim to the second-ranked defense in the league behind the Browns, and adding Burns could give the club the extra edge (both literally and figuratively) that it needs.
Burns would definitely be costly, but the Ravens are in win-now mode and are surely tired of losing in the playoffs year in and year out. They are ready to compete for a Super Bowl, and stacking up on the defensive side of the ball may be the best way to do it.
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