Perhaps the Ravens Could Trade a Known Face: A Look at Potential Moves for Baltimore’s Roster
As the NFL offseason approaches, the Baltimore Ravens find themselves navigating a crucial juncture in their roster-building process. After a season marked by injuries and inconsistency, the Ravens are contemplating how to position themselves for future success. With a solid roster foundation, many are wondering if the team could part ways with a familiar face to help solidify its future plans. Could the Ravens trade a known veteran to address areas of need or make a splash in the market?
In this article, we’ll explore the potential for a trade involving a key player, taking into account team needs, contract situations, and the best options for the Ravens moving forward.
The Ravens’ Current State
Baltimore enters the 2025 offseason with a roster that has talent in several key areas but also significant question marks. While the Ravens remain competitive year in and year out, their recent seasons have been filled with peaks and valleys. A season marked by injuries to star players like quarterback Lamar Jackson, running back J.K. Dobbins, and wide receiver Rashod Bateman has shown just how fragile the team’s chances for a deep playoff run can be. Despite these setbacks, the Ravens made it to the playoffs but fell short of their ultimate goal.
Looking ahead, Baltimore’s roster could use some fine-tuning to avoid another season of disappointment. The team is solid defensively, with players like linebacker Roquan Smith and cornerback Marlon Humphrey leading the charge. However, offensively, they face a few dilemmas. The Ravens are still searching for the ideal supporting cast to complement Lamar Jackson, who remains one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the league. The offense is looking for a more consistent wide receiver corps and additional depth at running back.
In addition to player injuries and performance issues, salary cap concerns are something the Ravens have to manage closely. They’ll need to be strategic in making moves that improve the roster without compromising their financial flexibility for the future. This is where the possibility of trading a familiar face comes into play.
The Case for Trading a Known Face
When teams hit a crossroads, it’s not uncommon for them to consider parting ways with a long-time contributor to shake things up. Trading a known face might seem like a bold move, but it’s often necessary for a franchise to evolve. For the Ravens, trading a veteran player could serve multiple purposes:
- Salary Cap Relief: Trading a player who has a significant cap hit could free up funds for re-signing key players, acquiring new talent, or addressing other positions of need.
- A Changing Team Dynamic: Moving a veteran player who has perhaps reached the end of their peak could allow for a fresh start and enable younger, emerging talent to take center stage. With the Ravens’ current roster, this could mean unlocking the potential of their younger wide receivers, running backs, or defensive players.
- Better Roster Balance: The Ravens’ roster is fairly top-heavy, with a few star players and several depth issues in certain positions. Moving a veteran could open up space for a more balanced approach with depth in critical areas.
The Trade Candidates: A Deep Dive
Several players on the Ravens’ roster could be seen as trade candidates. While trading a fan favorite is always a difficult decision, these are some of the names that might come up in trade discussions based on team needs and financial considerations.
1. Marlon Humphrey – Cornerback
One of the most established and respected players on the Ravens’ roster is cornerback Marlon Humphrey. A three-time Pro Bowler, Humphrey has been a cornerstone of the Ravens’ defense since being drafted in 2017. He’s a standout performer in coverage, a physical presence against the run, and generally a leader in the defensive backfield. However, in recent years, the Ravens have seen a significant dip in their pass rush, which directly impacts how effective the cornerbacks are on the field.
Humphrey’s talent is unquestionable, but the Ravens’ depth at cornerback may allow them to move him in the right situation. Players like Marcus Peters and the emerging young star Kyle Fuller provide stability at corner, and with the Ravens’ focus on creating a more well-rounded defense, trading Humphrey could help them stockpile assets, including draft picks.
From a cap perspective, trading Humphrey could save the Ravens roughly $7.5 million in 2025, which could be redirected to bolster other areas. The risk with trading Humphrey, however, lies in the challenge of replacing a top-tier corner on a defense that is built around solid secondary play.
2. Ronnie Stanley – Left Tackle
Left tackle Ronnie Stanley has been a foundational piece for the Ravens since being drafted in 2016. A two-time Pro Bowler, Stanley has consistently been one of the top left tackles in the league when healthy. However, injury concerns have cast a shadow over his recent seasons. Stanley suffered a major ankle injury in 2020 that required surgery and kept him sidelined for much of the 2021 season. While he returned in 2022 and played in all 17 games in 2023, his consistency has remained an issue. Injuries could make it harder for him to reach his former elite level of play.
Trading Stanley would provide an immediate cap savings of approximately $7 million in 2025, giving the Ravens more financial flexibility to address other key areas. The Ravens also have backup options like Daniel Faalele, who has shown potential, but is still developing. Moving Stanley would be a gamble, as it would leave a glaring hole at left tackle, but it could also bring back significant value in a trade scenario.
3. Mark Andrews – Tight End
Mark Andrews has become one of the top tight ends in the NFL, earning multiple Pro Bowls and setting franchise records for receiving yards and touchdowns by a tight end. As one of Lamar Jackson’s most reliable weapons, Andrews has played a pivotal role in the Ravens’ offensive success. However, with the Ravens needing to improve their wide receiver corps, it’s possible that the team might consider trading Andrews for an offensive overhaul.
While this would be a bold move and one that many fans would likely oppose, it could make sense in certain situations. Andrews’ trade value is extremely high due to his production and skill set. The Ravens could move Andrews to acquire multiple players or draft picks to help improve their receiving corps or add to their defensive line depth.
Additionally, Andrews has a sizable contract, and trading him would free up significant cap space. However, moving one of Jackson’s favorite targets could disrupt the offensive chemistry, and the Ravens would need to find a way to replace his production.
4. Lamar Jackson – Quarterback (Hypothetical)
Though Lamar Jackson is firmly entrenched as the starting quarterback and is one of the best quarterbacks in the league, there have been whispers regarding his long-term future in Baltimore. With contract negotiations looming, the idea of trading Jackson might sound preposterous, but it’s a scenario that could be on the table if the Ravens front office views an opportunity to capitalize on his trade value.
The Ravens have already invested a significant amount of resources in Jackson, who was signed to a long-term deal in 2024. However, if Jackson’s play continues to be inconsistent, particularly with his injuries, the front office could entertain offers to move him and retool for the future.
Though this is a highly unlikely option, it’s worth noting that the NFL is a business, and teams often make surprising moves when they believe the long-term prospects outweigh short-term risks. Moving Jackson would be an extremely difficult decision for the franchise, but it’s something the front office may consider if they feel it would better align with the direction of the team.
5. J.K. Dobbins – Running Back
J.K. Dobbins has shown flashes of brilliance as a runner, but injuries have significantly limited his time on the field since his rookie season. In 2023, Dobbins played in just 10 games and has yet to see a full season of healthy play. Despite his impressive burst and vision when he’s on the field, the Ravens have often leaned on a committee approach at running back, and they could choose to move on from Dobbins to explore other options.
Running backs in today’s NFL have a shorter shelf life, and the Ravens’ decision to part ways with Dobbins could make sense if the team wants to invest in a more durable or versatile option at the position. If the Ravens can get strong value for Dobbins in a trade, they could look to shift their focus elsewhere.
The Trade Market: Finding a Potential Partner
The next step for the Ravens is to find potential trade partners. The trade market in the NFL is always fluid, and team needs change as the offseason progresses. However, several teams could be interested in acquiring a veteran piece like Humphrey, Stanley, or Andrews, depending on their needs.
- Teams like the Miami Dolphins and Detroit Lions are looking to upgrade their defenses and could be potential suitors for players like Marlon Humphrey or a veteran defensive piece.
- Teams such as the New England Patriots or Indianapolis Colts, both of which are looking for stability at quarterback or playmaking ability on offense, could be interested in Mark Andrews or even J.K. Dobbins.
- The Chicago Bears might look to bring in a veteran offensive lineman like Stanley to protect their young quarterback.
For the Ravens, it’s essential to evaluate potential trade partners based on the strength of their draft capital and roster needs. The best deals come when both teams feel they are addressing a gap with a meaningful player acquisition.
Conclusion: The Ravens’ Tough Decisions
As the Ravens head into the offseason, the possibility of trading a known face remains an intriguing idea. While the team has several veteran players who could bring in significant value in a trade, the decision to part with any of them won’t be taken lightly. Whether it’s freeing up cap space, adding depth, or adjusting to new team dynamics, the Ravens will need to make calculated moves to ensure they remain competitive.
At the end of the day, the key to success in the NFL is adaptability. Whether they trade a known face or not, the Ravens must continuously evolve to meet the ever-changing demands of the league. For now, the team must decide whether the time has come to move on from a familiar face or hold on to what they know. The next few months will be telling for the future of this franchise.