The Ravens have traded linebacker Kamalei Correa to the Tennessee Titans for an undisclosed draft choice, helping to ease a roster crunch while getting value in return.
The deal is contingent upon Correa passing a physical. ESPN's Adam Schefter is reporting that the Titans are sending a 2019 sixth-round choice in return.
Baltimore is loaded with young edge pass rushers, which has been on full display this preseason. Behind starters Terrell Suggs and Matthew Judon, the Ravens also have Za'Darius Smith, Tyus Bowser and Tim Williams. All five have at least one sack this preseason.
Head Coach John Harbaugh said Correa was among the Ravens' best 53 players, but Baltimore has more need at other positions.
A 2016 second-round pick (42nd overall), Correa struggled to find his place in Baltimore's defense over his first two NFL seasons. He played in 25 games and registered 11 tackles, zero sacks and one forced fumble.
The Boise State product played in nine games as a rookie, then began last season as a starting inside linebacker. However, undrafted linebacker Patrick Onwuasor wrestled the job away from Correa by Week 5.
Correa moved back to outside linebacker this offseason and clearly looked more comfortable. It showed when he broke out with three sacks, a forced fumble and an interception in the Hall of Fame game. He notched one tackle and a half-sack in the three preseason games since.
In Tennessee, Correa will reunite with former Ravens Defensive Coordinator Dean Pees, who was a big part of the decision to shift Correa to inside linebacker last season. Correa will also rejoin Hawaii high school teammate turned Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota.
The Ravens clearly didn't get what they envisioned with Correa when they drafted him in the second round. However, Baltimore selected four starters – Tavon Young (fourth round), Willie Henry (fourth round), Alex Lewis (fourth round) and Matthew Judon (fifth round) – and three key contributors – Chris Moore (fourth round), Kenneth Dixon (fourth round) and Maurice Canady (sixth round) – on Day 3.
