Ravens Named a Trade Deadline Winner
While the Ravens did not land a pass rusher before the trade deadline, they did get better by adding depth at wide receiver and cornerback and gave up little in doing so.
The Ravens acquired cornerback Tre'Davious White and a 2027 seventh-round pick in exchange for a 2026 seventh-round pick yesterday. Last week, Baltimore sent a fifth-round pick to the Carolina Panthers for wide receiver Diontae Johnson and a 2025 sixth-round pick.
Those moves were enough for The Athletic's Mike Jones to put the Ravens on his list of trade deadline winners.
"The Ravens scored on multiple fronts," Jones wrote. "First: The Panthers were so desperate, they were willing to part with Johnson for virtually nothing (a late-round pick swap). Johnson, who earned Pro Bowl honors in 2021 with Pittsburgh after recording 1,161 receiving yards, averaged 873 receiving yards per season entering 2024 and should help improve a unit that features Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman.
"Second: The Ravens also got help for their defense by acquiring Tre'Davious White from the Rams. White earned Pro Bowl honors in 2019 and 2020 but has since battled injuries. The 29-year-old has played in only four games this season but could bring depth to Baltimore's secondary if he can stay healthy. If not, Baltimore gave up next to nothing (seventh-round pick swap) to get him."
It was widely believed that the Ravens were in the market for a pass rusher. Baltimore has a 37-percent pass rush win rate, which ranks 22nd, according to ESPN Analytics.
The most prominent pass rusher traded was former Raven Za'Darius Smith, who was acquired by the Detroit Lions (along with a 2026 seventh-round pick) from the Cleveland Browns in exchange for a 2025 fifth-round pick and a 2026 sixth-rounder. It's unknown whether the Ravens were interested in Smith, but it's unlikely the Browns would have traded him to an AFC North rival.
The New York Giants reportedly received calls about outside linebacker Azeez Ojulari, but he ended up staying put.
Ravens Get B Grades for White Trade
Here's a look at what pundits said about the Ravens' trade for White:
The 33rd Team’s Tyler Brooke: "Grade: B. For a team that looks so dominant at times, the Baltimore Ravens still had some questions that needed answering at defensive back. Tre'Davious White has played some of the most disappointing football of his career in 2024, allowing a passer rating of 147.8 after not allowing a rating higher than 96.2 in any other season, per PFF. Injuries through the years have slowed him down, but White is still a former first-time All-Pro and two-time Pro Bowler. A change of scenery could be what helps White turn his season around. Even if it doesn't, the Ravens just swapped seventh-round picks in future years to take a chance on upgrading their secondary in time for a potential Super Bowl run."
Pro Football Focus’ Gordon McGuinness: "Grade: B. White started the first four games of the season for the Rams, earning a PFF coverage grade of just 49.3 and allowing four touchdowns. The Ravens have dealt with injuries at the cornerback position in the first half of the year, so this adds some depth there, at very little cost, with some upside if he can regain his form from earlier in his career."
ESPN's Louis Riddick: "Tre'Davious is one of the smartest corners in the NFL; he just got bit by the injury bug. … He's a great system fit in Baltimore, and he's a culture fit in Baltimore. How many times has John Harbaugh talked about the most important thing we have down here in Baltimore is culture. This isn't just about fantasy football as far as moving guys around. I think in Baltimore it's important to be the right person to come there, especially with all the strong personalities in that locker room. Tre White is one of the most professional dudes in the NFL, period. He's one of my favorite people. I think it's a great move for them."
FanSided’s Quinn Everts: "Baltimore needed help. A move had to be made to deepen this defense, and trading for White is about as low-risk of a move as you can get considering what the team gave up. … Is this prime Tre'Davious White? Nope. But Baltimore still wins this trade because there's a chance it rejuvenates White's career like it has done with players in the past."
Baltimore Beatdown’s Joshua Reed: "While White has struggled with injuries as of late over the past few years of his career, he is still an immediate upgrade over the depth they have behind Marlon Humphrey, Brandon Stephens and rookie Nate Wiggins on the outside. … To get a player of White's ability at the fleece of a price he did is another great value move by General Manager Eric DeCosta."
Ebony Bird’s Matt Sidney: "The reasoning was straightforward: White comes cheap, brings veteran experience, and would provide solid depth to a secondary that's been hit with both injuries and depth issues. White, once considered among the NFL's top cornerbacks, has the experience and leadership this Ravens defense needs right now. While his numbers in 2024 show he's not quite at peak form, he's still a battle-tested veteran with playoff experience. White's addition should immediately bolster the rotation, giving Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr more flexibility to adapt against the AFC's elite offenses. General Manager Eric DeCosta pulled this off without giving up much, which makes the deal even sweeter."
Ravens Reportedly Were in Talks With Saints About CB Marshon Lattimore
Before making the deal for White, the Ravens were in talks with the New Orleans Saints about four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Marshon Lattimore, according to The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec.
Lattimore ended up being traded to the Washington Commanders, who sent 2025 third-, fourth-, and sixth-round picks to New Orleans for Lattimore and a 2025 fifth-round pick.
"[The Ravens] were unwilling to offer the quality of draft capital that the Washington Commanders ultimately did," Zrebiec wrote.
CBS Sports’ Bryan DeArbo wrote: "Lattimore would have been a game-changer for their defense. Instead, Baltimore is rolling the dice with White."
Jones said the move comes with some risk for the Commanders.
"On one hand, the acquisition of Marshon Lattimore from the Saints helps fill a real position of need. On the other, Washington gave up a third-, fourth- and sixth-round pick for a player who hasn't played a full season since 2021," Jones wrote. "But if Lattimore can stay on the field and play at his four-time Pro Bowl level, this move makes Washington better. If his playing time remains sporadic, giving up third- and fourth-round picks (potential core players) will sting a bit."
Midseason Predictions Include Zay Flowers Making Pro Bowl
Zrebiec made some predictions for how the second half of the season could turn out for the Ravens. Here are two excerpts:
Zay Flowers becomes first Ravens homegrown WR to make the Pro Bowl
"The Ravens have never drafted and developed a wide receiver who has been selected to the Pro Bowl. It's the only position on the roster you can say that about. Jermaine Lewis and Devin Duvernay both made the Pro Bowl, but they were selected as punt/kick returners. Flowers is going to change that. The first-round pick in 2023 is fifth in the league (and third in the AFC) with 654 receiving yards. He's tied at 14th in the league with 46 catches. He has 100-plus yards receiving in four of his past five games. He's the top target on an offense that is considered one of the best in the sport, and he's gaining more and more notice every week. He's well on his way to a Pro Bowl berth."
Ravens return to Arrowhead for another opportunity vs. Chiefs
"After their 27-20 loss to Kansas City in Week 1, several Ravens spoke excitedly about the possibility of getting another shot at the Chiefs in the playoffs. They still have to earn it, but it feels inevitable that if the Ravens get to where they expect to be this year, they're going to have to go through the Chiefs. That's the way it should be. Peyton Manning's Indianapolis Colts had to ultimately go through the New England Patriots to win that elusive Super Bowl. Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls had to finally beat the Detroit Pistons before their championship run. It's just the way things typically go, and Jackson and the Ravens are going to have to beat Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs to make it to a Super Bowl."
Ben Roethlisberger Says Steelers Not Yet in Same Class As Ravens
The Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2) have a half-game lead over Baltimore (6-3) in the AFC North, but former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger isn't ready to say they're as good as the Ravens.
"I can't put the Steelers in the same category as Baltimore or the Bills yet," Roethlisberger said on his “Footbahlin With Ben Roethlisberger” podcast.
The Steelers have one of the toughest remaining schedules, which includes games against the Ravens twice, Chiefs, Commanders, and Eagles.
"They have a stretch where if they go out and show that they can beat these teams, these true contenders … then I'll move them up my list," Roethlisberger said. "But right now, I have them at four or five in the AFC."
