What Are the Chances of Ravens Trading for Myles Garrett?
Reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett sent shockwaves through the NFL yesterday when he requested a trade from the Cleveland Browns via a statement on social media.
Obviously, any team would love to have Garrett on its roster, but the four-time first team All-Pro said his request is motivated by his desire to win a Super Bowl. That takes a lot of teams out of the running.
The Ravens are perennial Super Bowl contenders, and as noted in Late for Work last week, a pundit said their top offseason priority should be adding a "game-changer" edge rusher. There isn't a bigger defensive game-wrecker in the league than Garrett.
However, as good as Garrett looks in a Ravens jersey in a photo-shopped image on X – which was reposted by Lamar Jackson – it's extremely unlikely that the Browns would trade him to an AFC North rival.
Even if the Browns would entertain the idea of trading Garrett within the division, giving up multiple high-round picks isn't General Manager Eric DeCosta's style.
Moreover, the Browns reportedly won't consider trading Garrett, period.
Browns General Manager Andrew Berry said last week that he wasn't interested in dealing Garrett, even for two first-round picks, and wanted to sign the 29-year-old to an extension. NFL Network's Mike Garafolo said Garrett's request hasn't changed the Browns' stance.
Ravens Urged to Pursue Trade for Cooper Kupp
A star player who is likely to be traded is Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp, who announced on social media yesterday that the team informed him that it will be "seeking a trade immediately."
Ravens Wire’s Glenn Erby urged the Ravens to make a play for Kupp.
"Baltimore should be first in line to call the Rams and gauge their asking price," Erby wrote. "The Ravens have an excellent passing attack but only have Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman as experienced [wide receivers] under contract.
"John Harbaugh's team could use an efficient assassin and should have an interest in trading for the record-breaking receiver after he announced that the Rams were looking to trade him this offseason."
CBS Sports’ Bryan DeArdo also believes the Ravens would be a good fit for Kupp.
"Kupp would join a loaded Ravens offense that also includes league MVP Lamar Jackson, fellow wideouts Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman and tight ends Isaiah Likely and Mark Andrews," DeArdo wrote.
Kupp, 31, led the league in receptions (145), yards (1,947), and touchdowns (16) in 2021 and was the Offensive Player of the Year and Super Bowl MVP, but ankle and hamstring injuries have limited him to 33 games over the past three seasons. He had 67 catches for 710 yards and six touchdowns last year.
Trading for him could be costly financially.
Kupp posted on X that he is "highly motivated, as healthy as ever, and looking forward to playing elite football for years to come."
Pundit Says Solidifying Offensive Line Should Be Ravens' Main Focus
The Ravens revamped their offensive line last season, and NFL.com’s Kevin Patra said continuing to rework the O-line should be the top priority this offseason.
"I wouldn't argue with bringing back impending free agent left tackle Ronnie Stanley," Patra wrote. "However, coming off the first full season in his nine-year career, Stanley likely wants another big payday, especially after taking a pay cut to remain in Baltimore last year. Given the need for O-linemen around the league, someone with more cap space will likely toss around gobs of money. The Ravens are usually a 'better to move on a year early than a year late' organization. Letting Stanley walk after milking the most out of a 30-year-old is right up their alley –I can imagine General Manager Eric DeCosta salivating over the potential compensatory pick they'd get for letting Stanley hit free agency.
"Roger Rosengarten enjoyed a good rookie campaign at right tackle and could be an option to swing over to the left side, if they draft a rookie to man the right side. Patrick Mekari is another soon-to-be free agent whom Baltimore could re-sign, with the versatility to play inside or outside. After succeeding with three new starters in 2024, I expect DeCosta to use another high pick to continue fortifying a young line in front of Lamar Jackson."
If the Ravens look for offensive reinforcements in free agency, CBS Sports’ Jordan Dajani said veteran guard Brandon Scherff, 33, would be a player to target.
"Scherff would be an interesting addition for Lamar Jackson, and he made the Pro Bowl five times during seven seasons with Washington," Dajani wrote. "Someone save him from Jacksonville."
Ravens Miss Out on Nate Wiggins and Rosengarten in 2024 Re-Draft
The Ravens nailed their top two picks in last year's draft in selecting first-round cornerback Nate Wiggins (30th overall) and second-round offensive tackle Rosengarten (62nd), but both players were off the board when Baltimore was on the clock in ESPN's 2024 re-draft.
Wiggins went to the Philadelphia Eagles at No. 22 and Rosengarten was picked by the New Orleans Saints at No. 45 in the do-over. The Ravens got offensive tackle Olu Fashanu in the first round and Georgia defensive back Tykee Smith in the second.
"Fashanu's rookie season with the Jets was cut short by a broken left foot, which is why he fell out of the top 10 in the redraft," ESPN's Jamison Hensley wrote. "The Ravens would be pleased to grab one of the top left tackle prospects, considering longtime starting left tackle Ronnie Stanley is a free agent this offseason.
"Smith exceeded expectations as a third-round pick for Tampa Bay and became one of the best rookie defensive playmakers in 2024. He had 54 tackles, 7 passes defensed, 2 interceptions and 3 forced fumbles. The Ravens would love that game-changing impact as well as his versatility to play either nickel or safety."
