The Baltimore Ravens aren’t being talked about by many people, which is probably what they prefer so they can slide under the radar. But, this is a team that had a very strong offseason, which should enable them to build upon what was a very good 2022 given the circumstances.
Despite not having Lamar Jackson for the last 5.5 games of the regular season, the Ravens were still able to make the playoffs with Tyler Huntley and Anthony Brown as their starting quarterbacks. That speaks volumes to how talented from top to bottom that this team is.
Heading into 2023, they are most certainly a dark horse contender for the Super Bowl. As long as Jackson remains healthy, this offense will be among the most explosive in the NFL after adding Nelson Agholor and Odell Beckham Jr. in free agency and using their first-round pick on wide receiver Zay Flowers.
Defensively there is a lot to like as well. But, if the opportunity presented itself to bring in a potential upgrade at pass rusher, they should strongly consider it. One player that could be a target for them in the opinion of Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report is Chase Young of the Washington Commanders.
Young has shown just how dominant he can be when he took home the Defensive Rookie of the Year award for the 2020 season. He recorded elite grades as a pass rusher and run defender, looking like a pillar of the Commanders’ defense for years to come. But, a devastating knee injury in 2021 has derailed him.
What could a trade between the Ravens and Commanders look like? Ballentine suggested an interesting swap, as Young would head to Baltimore in exchange for linebacker Patrick Queen and a 2024 fourth-round pick.
Like Young, Queen had the fifth-year option on his rookie contract declined, meaning he will be a free agent in 2024. After committing so much money to their defensive line, trading for Queen would open up the door to give Montez Sweat an extension while filling their need at the second level of their defense.
After signing Roquan Smith to a record-breaking contract, Queen’s tenure in Baltimore looks like it’s coming to an end. His potential replacement, Trenton Simpson, was also selected in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Flipping him and a Day 3 pick for a potential star edge rusher is a worthwhile risk for the Ravens to take.
