Defensive losses dominated the Baltimore Ravens’ offseason, with a starter linebacker (Patrick Queen), a key player at safety (Geno Stone), and their defensive coordinator (Mike Macdonald) all leaving. While their defense remains as advertised, may an offseason trade be in order?
If Baltimore decides to pursue a trade this offseason, the following three players would be perfect targets. Playing in the tough AFC North division requires the Ravens to construct a strong defense, and the trade market may be the best option.
Offensively, this team is essentially set, but there are a couple gaps to fill at RB2 and wide receiver. Lamar Jackson is hoping to help the Ravens finally get over the hump and back to the Super Bowl, so it wouldn’t hurt to explore an addition on that side of the ball.
Xavier Woods
While the Ravens still have Kyle Hamilton and Marcus Williams at safety, both Hamilton and Stone played more than 900 snaps this season. Williams only played 11 games in 2023, but his role should increase to the same number of snaps this season, allowing the team to add more depth at safety.
Xavier Woods is entering the final year of his three-year contract with the Carolina Panthers, and he has played over 1,700 snaps over the last two seasons. Woods, who is about to turn 29, would be an ideal third safety option, allowing Hamilton to play closer to the line of scrimmage.
A Woods deal would likely not cost much, since he could be acquired for a fifth or sixth-round pick.
Treylon Burks
Treylon Burks, the lone offensive player on our trade targets list, is a younger guy pushed down the depth chart. Burks’ first-round status has dropped to that of a WR4 option, forcing him to compete for playing time in Tennessee.
Treylon Burks, the lone offensive player on our trade targets list, is a younger guy pushed down the depth chart. Burks’ first-round status has dropped to that of a WR4 option, forcing him to compete for playing time in Tennessee.
The Titans, who have Tyler Boyd, DeAndre Hopkins, and Calvin Ridley, are likely to be pass-happy under new head coach Brian Callahan. The former Bengals offensive coordinator was spoilt by having both Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, and he plans to emulate that style in Nashville.
Even with a focus on throwing the ball, Burks will most likely have to wait his turn on special teams to gain offensive touches. Instead, the Ravens should consider acquiring the 24-year-old. A fourth-round pick in exchange for the former Arkansas Razorback would likely suffice, and he would join a Ravens wide receiver group led by Zay Flowers that may benefit from a taller option receiving passes.
C.J. Mosley
Baltimore’s final trade target is an old acquaintance, C.J. Mosley. With Patrick Queen’s departure to the Steelers, a void has arisen at inside linebacker, which Mosley previously left in 2019.
While it is unrealistic to expect the New York Jets to want to move on from a guy who has played more than 90 percent of defensive snaps over the last three seasons, the fact that the Jets just negotiated a modified two-year contract with Mosley indicates that they may be willing to transfer him.
With $9 million in cash on the table for Mosely this season, the Ravens will need to do some negotiating to squeeze it into their salary space. However, the Jets, who have approximately $6 million in cap space, may be seeking to free up some money, and a third-round pick could suffice (though I wouldn’t depend on it).
