The QB-needy team makes a haul of picks in the Ravens trade proposal.
From free agency to the NFL draft, the Baltimore Ravens are expected to be very busy this offseason. This could involve making trades to add more picks to the roster. The desire to move up for a quarterback in the draft gives teams an opportunity to demand higher compensation in a league where quarterback is so important (the Ravens have Lamar Jackson locked up at QB).
Alec Lewis of the Athletics suggested a trade that would be advantageous to both the Ravens and the Minnesota Vikings in his piece “Vikings mock draft 1.0: Two trades, a bunch of defenders and making a big move for a QB.”
The Vikings would receive the Ravens’ first-round pick, No. 30, in exchange for Oregon quarterback Bo Nix, Lewis projects. Lewis stated that the Ravens would receive a package that included a 2024 fifth-round pick, a 2025 third-round pick, and a No. 42 overall pick in exchange.
Kirk Cousins is a free agent and the Vikings are in a tough spot this offseason because he tore his Achilles last season.
The Vikings may attempt to hold out for their selection in the second round.
Lewis added that the Ravens are aware of the significance of this tactic. “Lamar Jackson is the quarterback the Ravens selected in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft,” the author wrote.
In the NFL Draft, the Ravens could reload at several positions.
There are seven picks available to the Ravens in the upcoming NFL Draft. However, Baltimore “is projected to get an additional compensatory pick in the fourth round for the free-agent loss of guard Ben Powers (Denver) last offseason,” as stated by editorial director Ryan Mink.
Due to their tight cap situation, the Ravens may have to rely more on the draft than usual this season. The Ravens’ current cap space is only $7.3 million, per OverTheCap.
On Monday, February 12, Pro Football Focus analyst Trevor Sikkema shared his mock draft following the Super Bowl.
He had a similar trade with the Vikings and Ravens in that draft (though Baltimore didn’t receive any compensation—it was not a 2024 fifth-round pick). Then he projected the two first-round selections in the premium class being used to key need positions.
The Ravens selected “OT KIRAN AMEGADJIE, YALE” at pick No. 42 and “CB MIKE SAINRISTIL, MICHIGAN” at pick No. 62 according to Sikkema.
When the draft rolls around, the Ravens may need players at both positions. Ronnie Stanley, an offensive lineman, may lose cap space this offseason. He and fellow OT Morgan Moses both had injury problems in 2023.
Marlon Humphrey, a cornerback, might also be cut, though it is unlikely as he also missed a lot of the season due to injuries. And the Ravens might not be able to rely on Ronald Darby and Arthur Maulet to deliver encores.
If general manager Eric DeCosta is not thrilled with the options at No. 30, he may trade back to have the opportunity to add more elite players. This will come down to draft night.
Vikings might be considering the future.
Jordan Addison and Justin Jefferson are two of the best wide receivers on the Vikings roster. Jefferson will probably require a market-setting new contract in the near future.
The Vikings will have to start searching for Cousins’ replacement if they are unable to come to an agreement with him. They could select a quarterback sooner because they currently hold the 11th pick in the draft, but they might have to wait until the next round if the best player is gone.
Lewis stated, “Nix in particular is a contentious idea. He had a terrible time in Auburn when he started college there, but after moving to Oregon, he excelled.
Selecting a less expensive option would free up more funds for the Vikings to pay Jefferson. Lewis states, “Nix would make sense as a mature developmental option with a rookie quarterback contract that would offer a ton of flexibility.”
The Vikings provide themselves with an additional year of affordability and cap relief by trading up and obtaining that fifth-year option.
