The Baltimore Ravens are a team that people seem to be forgetting when talking about contenders in the AFC. When quarterback Lamar Jackson is healthy, this is one of the most dangerous offenses in the NFL.
The Ravens should only be more explosive on that side of the ball in 2023. They made wholesale changes, bringing in Todd Monken to be the offensive coordinator and modernize the offense.
Personnel-wise, Baltimore committed assets to the wide receiver position, signing Nelson Agholor and Odell Beckham Jr. and selecting Zay Flowers in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. With all-world tight end Mark Andrews still in the mix and an always-strong running game, the pieces are in place for a strong offense.
On the other side of the ball, the Ravens are in good shape as well. However, if they were going to address one thing, it would be a pass rusher. They are a little weak there with the trio of Tyus Bowser, Odafe Oweh and David Ojabo atop the depth chart.
Looking to raise the ceiling of that group, one player who could pique their interest is Chase Young of the Washington Commanders. Baltimore was suggested as a suitor for Young by Seth Walder of ESPN, who put together a few preseason trade matches.
After having the fifth-year option on his rookie contract declined, Young is set to become a free agent in 2024. His days in Washington could certainly be numbered as the team has already committed major money to Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne along their defensive line. Montez Sweat, playing out his fifth-year option in 2023, could be next.
With that in mind, the Ravens would be smart to see if they could pry the Ohio State product away. What could a trade look like? Walder suggested Baltimore send a 2024 third and fifth-round pick to Washington in exchange for the No. 2 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Young has not gotten close to the production that he had as a rookie, recording only 1.5 sacks in his last 12 games with a devastating knee injury suffered in 2021 mixed in. There is certainly some risk in pursuing Young, but the reward could be immense.
Young had above-average pass-rushing stats in 2020 and 2021 before he struggled in his three-game return in 2022. If he can regain the form showed in the first two seasons of his career, the Ravens would be getting quite a boost off the edge.
