The Baltimore Ravens were hit hard by the injury bug during the 2021 season. They were able to overcome it in the early going, jumping out to an 8-3 record and looking like one of the best teams in the league. However, things eventually became too much to overcome and the season spiraled out of control.
Baltimore ended the season on a six-game losing streak, resulting in an 8-9 finish. It was certainly a disappointing ending, as the team had to play the final five games of the season without former MVP Lamar Jackson.
The offense was looked at as the culprit for the team’s shortcomings, but it was their defense that let them down. Baltimore scored an average of 20.7 points per game in that six-game losing streak, so if they had received some better performances from the defense, they could have won a game or two to keep the season alive.
The team’s passing defense fell apart after Marcus Peters and Marlon Humphrey suffered injuries in the secondary. Those injuries were exacerbated by the fact that the Ravens weren’t able to generate the pass rush we have come accustomed to seeing from their defenses.
Baltimore’s leading pass rusher was Tyus Bowser, who finished the season with seven sacks. Odafe Oweh had five sacks as a rookie, as both players have room to grow. However, the team could use a jolt in their pass rush that finished in the bottom third of pressure percentage.
That is why Danielle Hunter of the Minnesota Vikings was named an ideal trade scenario for the Ravens this offseason according to Bleacher Report. Hunter, when healthy, has been a premier pass rusher in his NFL career. Unfortunately, he hasn’t had great health in recent seasons.
Hunter missed the entire 2020 season because of neck surgery and played only seven games in 2021 before tearing his pectoral. However, in those seven games, he showed he still has plenty left in the tank, as he racked up six sacks.
Adding that kind of pass rusher to Bowser and Oweh could help elevate the Ravens to the levels we have gotten used to seeing them in their heyday. They always had a vaunted pass rush but were hit hard by the loss of Matt Judon, who signed with the New England Patriots in free agency last year.
The Ravens could take advantage of the Vikings’ cap situation, as they are $14 million over the cap. Moving on from Hunter would clear all of that and some, as trading him would result in saving $18.6 million of his $26.1 million cap hit.
There is a deal to be made that would benefit both teams. Baltimore needs a pass rusher, while Minnesota could use the salary cap relief. A mid-round draft pick could be enough to get a deal done.
