The Lions, who will be without star defensive end Aidan Hutchinson for the remainder of the season – unless they advance to the Super Bowl, perhaps – have been connected to some of the top pass rushers thought to be available in advance of this year’s trade deadline. That includes Haason Reddick – before he agreed to a reworked deal with the Jets this morning – and Za’Darius Smith. According to Albert Breer of SI.com, the Ravens are another club that will be monitoring the pass rush market.
After leading the league with 60 sacks last season, Baltimore continues to perform at a high level in that regard in 2024, at least in terms of raw numbers. The club’s 19 sacks are currently the sixth-highest total in the NFL, but its overall pass defense has been a major liability. The Ravens are surrendering the second-most passing yards per game, and while a safety or cornerback addition would therefore seem to be a distinct possibility, bolstering the pass rushing corps could have a positive trickle-down effect on the secondary.
Smith profiles as a potential target for the Ravens, just as he is a possible fit for the Lions. Smith, of course, began his career with Baltimore, who made him a fourth-round pick in 2015. He parlayed a successful platform campaign in 2018 into a four-year, $66MM deal with the Packers, and he more than lived up to that contract over his first two years in Green Bay, racking up 26 sacks during that time and earning Pro Bowl honors in both seasons. However, he played in just one game in 2021 and became a cap casualty the following offseason.
In March 2022, the Ravens and Smith reportedly had an agreement to bring Smith back to Baltimore, but Smith backed out of the deal and signed with the Vikings about a week later. Although he earned his third Pro Bowl selection with Minnesota in 2022, he sought a release after that season, and he was eventually traded to the Browns, who also agreed to rework his contract.
In 2023, his first year in Cleveland, Smith notched just 5.5 sacks, his lowest full-season total since 2017. However, the Browns chose to retain him via a two-year, $23.5MM contract this offseason, and since most of that deal’s value comes in the form of bonuses, his deal would be eminently palatable for an acquiring club. Whether the Ravens would be willing to revisit a reunion after being jilted a little over two years ago is an open question (the fact that Cleveland and Baltimore play in the same division could also complicate matters).
While any speculation connecting Reddick to Baltimore has been put to bed by virtue of Reddick’s decision to end his holdout and report to the Jets, another speculative fit for the Ravens would, like Smith, represent a reunion. Jadeveon Clowney, who enjoyed perhaps the finest year of his career as a member of the Ravens in 2024, signed a two-year, $20MM deal with the Panthers this offseason. With Carolina looking like an obvious seller, Clowney could theoretically be on the block.
Speaking of veteran pass rushers who had previous stints in Charm City, the Ravens recently signed Yannick Ngakoue to their active roster after adding him to the practice squad at the end of September. The well-traveled defender, who has played in two games for Baltimore this year and who picked up a sack in the team’s Week 6 win over Washington, technically could have been elevated from the taxi squad one more time before being added to the 53-man unit. However, as Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports, rival teams had begun to show interest in poaching Ngakoue off the p-squad, so Baltimore felt compelled to protect him.
It seems like the top two available targets would be both former Ravens, now that Reddick is possibly off the board (I’m not convinced that his Jets return is not a prelude to a trade , for my part). Clowney had his best year just last year in Baltimore, and Z’Darius has a respectable 5.5 this year. Clowney has the major advantage of not being on a division rival; indeed, he’s not in the AFC at all.
You have to figure that Atlanta and Detroit are the main competitors here in any trades that Baltimore wants to execute. Dallas should be, but refuse to engage, so while there’s a chance that they calls, I don’t think that they’ll be in any potential competition. Seeing as the Browns could have suitors for Z’Darius, they shouldn’t have to make a dreaded division rival trade to move him, if other teams are willing to deal. Baltimore might have to look elsewhere.
I doubt that the Raiders trade Crosby, but if he wanted out, and if Vegas does a 180, you wonder how high Baltimore is willing to go for a player who could easily make their pass rush the league’s best.
Giving up a day 2 pick might make sense for Crosby.
If the Raiders lose again – I think all bets are off.
Baltimore might be the best team in the NFL.
Initially I thought the Henry signing might have been over hyped – but its real if they can keep it up.
Adding a pass rusher is smart. I expect then to have leads to protect.
Max feels like a Raven!
He does!
Issue is Crosbys contract. Ravens have around 4.5m in cap space while Crosby is owed 26m this year. It’s gonna cost a 2nd for the raiders to eat that much money. I see it similar to the roquan trade. This team is built to win now. Need another stud on the d line and he would 100% be a game wrecker. I think a clowney reunion makes more sense based on compensation and cap room.
I think you’re right-except I actually believe the price for Crosby would be higher, especially with a contract obligation. I really don’t predict first round picks going for veteran players in almost any case, but if a player were to be gone, the combination of factors might be right to nudge a low first for Crosby.
I would be shocked if Baltimore hasn’t at least gauged interest in a Clowney swap, though. It seems like the most natural path at the current moment.
I think a second is in the discussion.
I hadn’t looked at salary – but it workable if Raiders restructure. That wouldn’t dissuade me.
I still think the Ravens are the NFLs best team, but Lamar lays an egg in the playoffs every year. His worst game every year in a playoff game.
The Ravens are solid in most phases, despite the large part that Lamar plays in their offense, and it’s hard to find a competitor in the AFC. The Texans? The Chiefs?
Ironically, I think that if your Bills could somehow swing Crosby, they’d leap up there. There are still some issues, especially with the injuries at linebacker, but star power from Allen is always dangerous on its lonesome. A relentless rush from Crosby could do a lot to control opposing offenses’ ability to answer. The Ravens, despite what I said about being even, still run so much through Jackson that controlling him really improves your chances of winning. Crosby is one of the few with motor to do so.
Von was playing well before his suspension.
Dorian Williams has been really good next to Bernard. They play a base nickel so Taron Johnson is technically the 3rd LB and he is finally back. We don’t actually miss Milano as much as we feared we mighr.
Im actually all in on the Bills now with Cooper. That fixes their biggest hole.
Im not even as concerned with safety as many Bills fans. We still have Micah Hyde unretirement in our pocket should it be needed.
They gotta find a way to be more consistent offensively – but I think Cooper helps the entire offense relax a little.
I think the Bills are still second in the AFC – but the playoffs are something else.
Peyton had the playoff choker label – until he didn’t. Lamar can easily get over that, but will Henry hold up all year?
The Chiefs are undefeated, but Im unimpressed. They are down, Im mot buying them.
I can agree with all of your points-particularly regarding Henry and Cooper.
take joey boda
Ravens secondary hasn’t gotten worse from last year. Losing Clowney has them exposed (and to an extent P. Queen). Yep. They need help up front.
Is Garret available? Cleveland needs to start over.