The Ravens and Patriots have swapped defensive backs and special teams contributors. But Baltimore essentially got a fourth-round pick out of it.
Baltimore signed defensive back Jordan Richards Thursday afternoon after he was released by New England Wednesday.
Earlier this week, Baltimore released veteran special teams ace Justin Bethel to save a likely fourth-round compensatory pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. The Ravens didn't want to let Bethel go, but they wanted that pick.
The Patriots picked up Bethel, and released Jordan Richards to make room on the 53-man roster. Then the Ravens picked up the 26-year-old Richards, who was a second-round pick out of Stanford in 2015.
Richards spent his first three seasons in New England, playing in 41 games, including seven starts. He made 40 tackles during that time.
Richards was traded to the Atlanta Falcons in 2018 and played one season there before being signed by the Oakland Raiders this offseason. He was released during final roster cuts and landed back in New England.
Now Richards will get a chance to make an impact on Baltimore's special teams unit and add depth to a secondary that has lost Tony Jefferson and DeShon Elliott to season-ending knee injuries.
The Ravens still have one open spot on their 53-man roster after linebacker Pernell McPhee was placed on injured reserve.
