Mink: We all know Eric DeCosta is aggressive when it comes to the trade deadline. Last year, he went after Derrick Henry (just think about how that would've turned out). He's also picked up Roquan Smith, Marcus Peters, and Yannick Ngakoue in previous years. DeCosta is always looking to improve this roster, and he isn't afraid to give up some future draft capital to make it happen.
So, yes, I do think the Ravens will be aggressive again, especially considering they are poised to contend for a Super Bowl. One factor that makes it more challenging this year, however, is that the Ravens don't have much cap space (just more than $4 million, per Spotrac). So if they made a deal, they would likely need the other team to eat some of that player's 2024 cap hit or would need to renegotiate contracts. That's all possible but does make it a bit more challenging.
The question of which position they would target is more challenging. Where does this team need an upgrade? Wide receiver isn't pressing considering how well Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman are playing. The offensive line has gelled, so I don't expect an addition that would upset that. The Ravens' clear weakness has been their pass defense, but I don't see them replacing any of the current starters and they have depth with Nate Wiggins, Eddie Jackson, and Ar'Darius Washington, plus Arthur Maulet soon joining the rotation.
Pass rusher may be at the top of the list because you can never have too many. Baltimore already added Ngakoue, who has played well in his first two games, but what about another monster defensive lineman/EDGE? One way to help the secondary would be to add another impact player to terrorize quarterbacks.
Brown: I think Lamar Jackson's incomparable play is the biggest factor.
Jackson's pinpoint passing over the last two weeks has given his targets increased opportunities to gain yards after catch. Flowers, Bateman, and Mark Andrews have all caught dimes from Jackson that have hit them in perfect stride.
He's also done a masterful job orchestrating at the line of scrimmage. Whether he's changing protections or calling audibles, Jackson has taken his pre-snap game to another level in his second season with Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken. Jackson is thriving against the blitz, correctly anticipating where it's coming from and how best to attack it.
The presence of Henry, the league's leading rusher, has forced opponents to load the box often, creating opportunities for Baltimore's receivers to win against one-on-one coverage. Jackson is spreading the ball around, and he's using his mobility to escape pressure and create memorable moments like his touchdown pass to Isaiah Likely in Cincinnati. Meanwhile, the offensive line play has improved, with the Ravens named Offensive Line of the Week by Pro Football Focus for their performance against the Washington Commanders.
Multiple factors have helped Baltimore's passing attack blossom, but I think Jackson's MVP-level play is the biggest.
Mink: I thought the pass defense took a step in the right direction against the Commanders. Washington hit basically four "big" plays. One came on a creative flea flicker running back screen that I've never seen before. Kudos to Washington Offensive Coordinator Kliff Kingsbury on that one. Another happened when the Ravens had a miscommunication on a wheel route to Austin Ekeler.
Then there were chunk plays (+20 yards) on crossers over the middle to Noah Brown and Zach Ertz. On those plays, Marlon Humphrey, Smith, and Wiggins just got beat in coverage. Everything else was highly contested.
The Ravens have forced the second-highest percentage of tight window throws in the league, which is a testament to how well they're covering. The fact is, the Ravens have faced some of the best quarterbacks and wide receivers in the game, and they've played like it when meeting Baltimore.
Jayden Daniels threw for 269 passing yards and two touchdowns Sunday. That's 123 fewer yards and three fewer touchdowns than Joe Burrow threw for the week prior. Improvements are needed, but I'm not pressing the panic button on the secondary.
Brown: I don't think Ngakoue will become a starter, but I believe his playing time will increase after being signed to the 53-man roster from the practice squad this week.
Ngakoue had three pressures on just 13 snaps against the Commanders, and he's had four pressures in 16 pass rush snaps in the two games he's played, per PFF. That's impressive for someone who wasn't signed until Sept. 24. Ngakoue obviously kept himself in great shape, and he's still only 29 years old.
With Kyle Van Noy (six sacks), Odafe Oweh (three), and Nnamdi Madubuike (two) leading the pass rush so far, the Ravens want Ngakoue to help them pressure quarterbacks more consistently. Getting more snaps in the pass rush rotation will help Ngakoue accomplish that, even if Van Noy and Oweh remain in their starting roles.
