Mink: Part of the beauty of the trade for Diontae Johnson is that it didn't prevent Baltimore from making other moves since the Panthers are reportedly picking up the majority of Johnson's remaining contract.
According to Russell Street Report’s Brian McFarland, the Ravens have about $3.2 million remaining in salary cap space. That's not a ton of wiggle room, but deals can be crafted to fit players under the cap depending on how much salary the other team is willing to eat.
After upgrading the offense, it obviously makes sense to address a defense that still ranks last in the league in pass defense and hasn't gotten as much pressure on quarterbacks as it would like in recent weeks.
I still think a pass rusher would be the most likely addition to make. Outside linebacker David Ojabo was a healthy scratch last week. The Ravens could look to get a veteran who can boost the group and take some of the load off Kyle Van Noy and Odafe Oweh's plate.
Safety would be the other position group to watch considering Marcus Williams didn't play last week in Cleveland, leaving Eddie Jackson playing 100% of the snaps. However, Harbaugh had twice said he expects Williams to return to the lineup and play at a high level.
Brown: No, Johnson doesn't play defense, but I think trading for him will help the Ravens.
He adds depth at wide receiver and gives Lamar Jackson a proven veteran target. Johnson has caught at least 50 passes in each of his five full seasons. He's a deep threat and a strong route runner who should take advantage of seeing plenty of single coverage in Baltimore's offense. The Ravens acquired Johnson at little cost, so it's a low-risk move.
This deal doesn't preclude the Ravens from getting defensive help before the Nov. 5 deadline. However, acquiring the right player, at the right price, at the most-needed position doesn't always work out. In this case, the Carolina Panthers clearly wanted to trade Johnson before it was too late. Wide receiver isn't the Ravens' biggest need, but I think they wisely answered the door when opportunity knocked.
Mink: This is a hard one to explain. Heading into the season, if you asked me to identify the Ravens defensive back who would probably drop the most interceptions, I would've said Marlon Humphrey. Yet he leads the team (and AFC) with four picks.
Eddie Jackson is a guy who has shown strong ball hawking skills. He has 15 career interceptions and snagged six in one season (2018). Yet he dropped a pair in Cleveland. Kyle Hamilton, who bobbled the game-winner, flashed impressive hands last season.
Nate Wiggins made some impressive picks in college, Brandon Stephens is a converted college running back who used to sometimes catch the ball out of the backfield, and Ar'Darius Washington had five picks in one season in college and showed sticky hands this summer in practices.
So, unfortunately, I don't have an answer for you. Interceptions have a degree of luck. I do expect defensive backs will probably spend some more time on the JUGS machine this week, but this may be more of a mental hurdle to overcome than physical. All you can do is have confidence you'll make the next play and once you do, the concern evaporates.
Brown: The direct snap to Henry didn't work against the Cleveland Browns, but I'd keep it in the playbook.
When Henry played for the Tennessee Titans, he ran from the direct snap effectively for years. The Titans were creative with the direct snap and used it beyond short yardage and the red zone.
I can understand why you feel Henry should've received more than 11 carries against the Browns. He had a 39-yard run, and five of his carries went for at least four yards. However, the Ravens were in their two-minute offense for their final two drives of the first half and their final two drives of the game. But I can't take much issue with how Henry is being used, not when he leads the league in rushing and carries.
