Defensive losses dominated the offseason for the Baltimore Ravens, who saw a starting linebacker (Patrick Queen), a big-time contributor at safety (Geno Stone), and their defensive coordinator (Mike Macdonald) all head elsewhere. While their defense is still as advertised, could an offseason trade be in order?
The following list of three players would be ideal trade targets for Baltimore if they choose that path this offseason. Playing in a tough AFC North division means that the Ravens have to build a good defense, and the trade market might be the best way.
Offensively, this team is mostly set, but there are a few holes that could be addressed at RB2 and wide receiver. Lamar Jackson is looking to help the Ravens finally get over that hump and get back to the Super Bowl, so it wouldn’t hurt to consider an addition on that side of the ball too.
Xavier Woods
While the Ravens still have both Kyle Hamilton and Marcus Williams at safety, both Hamilton and Stone saw over 900 snaps this past season. Williams only suited up for 11 games in 2023, but his role should grow to that same snap count this season, so the team could use more depth at safety.
Xavier Woods is heading into the final year of his three-year deal he signed with the Carolina Panthers, and he has racked up over 1,700 snaps across his last two seasons. About to turn 29 years old, Woods would be a perfect third safety option that could help free up Hamilton to play more near the line of scrimmage.
A trade involving Woods likely wouldn’t require much, as he probably could be acquired for a fifth or a sixth-round selection.
Treylon Burks
The lone offensive player on our trade targets list involves a younger player pushed down on the depth chart – Treylon Burks. Having to now fight for playing time in Tennessee, Burks has fallen off from his first-round pedigree to now that of a WR4 option.
The Titans, who have Tyler Boyd, DeAndre Hopkins, and Calvin Ridley, likely will be pass-happy under new head coach Brian Callahan. The former Bengals offensive coordinator was spoiled by having both Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, and will look to replicate that style down in Nashville.
Even with a focus put on throwing the ball, Burks likely will have to bid his time on special teams if he wants to earn offensive snaps. Instead of that happening, the Ravens should look into acquiring the 24-year-old. A fourth-round pick in return for the former Arkansas Razorback could probably do the trick, and he would join a Ravens wide receiver group headlined by Zay Flowers that could use a taller option catching passes.
C.J. Mosley
The final trade target on this list for Baltimore is an old friend, C.J. Mosley. With the departure of Patrick Queen to the Steelers, a hole has opened up at inside linebacker, a hole that was originally vacated by Mosley back in 2019.
While expecting the New York Jets to want to move on from a player who has played over 90 percent of defensive snaps the past three seasons isn’t realistic, the fact that the Jets just negotiated a restructured two-year deal with Mosley means they could be open to moving him.
With $9 million in cash on the table for Mosely this upcoming season, the Ravens would need to do some maneuvering to fit that into their cap space. But the Jets, who have around $6 million in space, may be looking to free up some money, and a third-round pick could be enough (although I wouldn’t count on it).