Could Ravens Reunite with Matt Judon or Go All-In Trading for Marshon Lattimore?
The Ravens are prime contenders, in response to pundits not brandishing black and yellow, and within the midst of their Super Bowl window. CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin and Bleacher Report’s Maurice Moton see Baltimore seeking to make a commerce previous to the 2024 NFL Draft. Both listed gamers on the defensive facet of the ball for the Ravens to usher in, with Benjamin contemplating a reunion with edge rusher Matthew Judon.
“Judon is a prolific participant at a premium place, however with cause to relocate. From his perspective, New England is rebuilding below a new coach. From the group’s perspective, Judon is stable however coming off an harm, occurring 32 years outdated and coming into a contract yr,” Benjamin wrote. “The return for a participant of his age may not be overwhelming, however the cap reduction and/or draft compensation may allow New England to pour extra assets into longer-term constructing blocks.”
Judon returning to Baltimore is possible within the numbers division. The Ravens would tackle a $7.5 million cap hit for 2024, one thing they’ll at the moment afford in response to overthecap.com. The commerce value of Judon can also be unlikely to be steep, as Benjamin famous Judon’s coming back from harm, aged 32-years-old and the very fact it will be a one-year rental. If Judon returns to double-digit sacks domination, the Ravens may recoup a excessive compensatory decide within the yr following.
Moton, nevertheless, is aware of groups do not typically ship pass-rushers packing, opting as an alternative to pair the Ravens with New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore.
“Teams not often commerce high-end pass-rushers, so the Ravens ought to deal with bolstering their secondary by buying a beginning boundary cornerback,” Moton wrote. “Baltimore may name the New Orleans Saints to inquire about Marshon Lattimore, who solely has one yr of assured cash left on his deal. The Saints could also be prepared to half methods with the four-time Pro Bowler as they proceed to develop Paulson Adebo and Alontae Taylor.”
Moton notes the commerce would not be with out danger, as Lattimore has struggled to remain wholesome lately.
“Lattimore, 27, has missed 17 video games over the earlier two years due to harm, which makes this a dangerous deal for the Ravens,” Moton wrote. “If he can keep wholesome, although, Baltimore would have an upgraded secondary to compensate for a questionable cross rush. The Ravens might be able to purchase Lattimore in change for middle- and late-round picks just like what the Detroit Lions despatched to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for Carlton Davis.”
Acquiring Lattimore is an fascinating thought. As it stands, the Ravens are stable at beginning cornerback with Marlon Humphrey and Brandon Stephens on the skin and the re-signed Arthur Maulet or Ar’Darius Washington at nickel. The want for Lattimore is not excessive, however including the most effective protection cornerbacks can be a stable addition to any protection seeking to take their group excessive. Especially if the Ravens may purchase him from the Saints in a post-June 1 commerce, making his cap hit $3.968 million for 2024.
Ravens Earn “C” Grade in Pundits’ Evaluation of 2023 Draft Class
In a re-evaluation of the Ravens’ 2023 draft class, The Athletic’s Diante Lee gave the Ravens a “C” grade below the class, “first rate draft (aka ‘a minimum of we discovered one thing’).”
“First-round WR Zay Flowers (No. 22) was a symbolic decide for the evolution of Baltimore’s offense, and he seems like he’ll be a higher choice for Lamar Jackson than Marquise Brown was in a related position,” Lee wrote. “Midround defensive picks Trenton Simpson (No. 86) and Tavius Robinson (No. 124) did not have massive roles on a veteran-filled protection, however they’re uncooked (and gifted) athletes who can take a leap.”
Flowers’ manufacturing in his rookie yr was greater than symbolic, as he broke the rookie franchise information for catches (77) and receiving yards (858). Beyond Flowers, nevertheless, solely two others of their six-player draft class noticed the sector in a Ravens uniform (Simpson, Robinson).
There will likely be way more to re-evaluate from the 2023 draft class after subsequent season as a number of beginning spots open up for competitors. Simpson is in line to play beside Roquan Smith after Patrick Queen’s departure in free company, whereas each Malaesala Aumavae-Laula and Andrew Vorhees look to contend for one of many many beginning roles alongside the offensive line; The grades for this class are removed from last.
A Look at Updated Draft Needs Following Free Agency
The massive waves of free company have pale and the Draft is lower than a month away. With the additions, re-signings and gamers heading elsewhere, The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec updates what he sees because the Ravens’ greatest wants:
“The cabinet is just not naked because the Ravens may doubtlessly have both Daniel Faalele or Patrick Mekari step in at proper sort out, they usually have a number of beginning guard candidates, together with Josh Jones, Andrew Vorhees, Ben Cleveland and Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu. However, it feels important, notably for a company that continually talks in regards to the significance of constructing a massive and bodily offensive line, that Baltimore at the moment has three vacancies up entrance.”
“Baltimore’s most established edge rusher is Odafe Oweh, a 2021 first-round decide who’s a work-in-progress and has 13 sacks in three seasons. With the departure of Clowney, the discharge of Tyus Bowser and uncertainty in regards to the return of veteran Kyle Van Noy, what the Ravens want is a longtime double-digit sack man. But they’re going to have their eyes on including extra younger expertise at outdoors linebacker, too.”
“Marlon Humphrey is coming off a disappointing injury-marred season, Brandon Stephens is coming into a contract yr and a few of Baltimore’s youthful corners have but to ascertain themselves. The Ravens consider in including cornerbacks yearly, but it surely’s a necessity moderately than a luxurious this offseason.”
Quick Hits
- On CBS Sports’ Podcast “With the First Pick,” former NFL General Manager Rick Spielman mocked Arizona offensive sort out Jordan Morgan to the Ravens, saying, “The Ravens get youthful and cheaper at offensive sort out after buying and selling Morgan Moses to the Jets.”
