The Baltimore Ravens are one of the teams that look like they can ascend to the level of contention during the 2023 NFL season. They reshaped their offense around Lamar Jackson this offseason, as they will be taking a move pass-heavy approach.
To fit the new scheme being run, Baltimore added wide receivers Nelson Agholor, Odell Beckham Jr. and Zay Flowers in free agency and the 2023 NFL Draft. With wide receiver Rashod Bateman and tight end Mark Andrews as holdovers from last season, Jackson has a very strong group of pass catchers around him.
The offense should once again be explosive for the Ravens this upcoming season. There is reason to believe that the defense will be in good hands as well despite some veterans not returning in free agency or being released.
Baltimore is going to be relying on young players to ascend in a few positions, namely in the front seven. David Ojabo and Odafe Oweh are going to be relied upon as their top pass-rushing options on the edge. The team also signed Jadeveon Clowney to help bolster the edge rushing group.
It certainly wouldn’t hurt to continue adding to the position should the opportunity present itself. One player that could pique their interest is Chase Young of the Washington Commanders. Young to Baltimore was suggested by Seth Walder of ESPN as a move that could occur as the teams are a match for each other.
Walder suggested the Ravens send a third and fifth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft to the Commanders in exchange for the No. 2 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Washington is in a tough spot as they already paid Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne big contracts. Montez Sweat is next for one as he is set to play out the fifth-year option on his rookie deal.
Given how productive he has been, Sweat could be higher on the Commanders’ priority list for an extension. Young hasn’t made much of an impact the last two seasons after taking home the Defensive Rookie of the Year award in 2020 as an elite pass rusher and run defender.
Young would provide the Ravens with some upside at pass rusher and another young player that could be part of their long-term plans. Having the chance to learn from Clowney would be an added bonus.
It would be a worthwhile risk for the Ravens to take as Young showed star potential early on in his career. Working his way back from a knee injury, the Commanders would likely be happy to receive anything of value in return for him, especially if there aren’t plans to keep him long-term.
