2018 NFL trade deadline: 12 trades that should happen

Ravens trade Brandon Carr to Eagles

I mentioned the Ravens could open some cap space for Demaryius Thomas, and here is the corresponding move.

It was a matter of time until the Ravens fully committed to Marlon Humphrey as their full-time corner, and the time couldn’t be better now that Jimmy Smith is back. Humphrey and Smith have been banged up, which has given Carr the chance to lead the team in cornerback snaps. He’s a workhorse who is rarely hurt and trading him would harm the team’s depth.

But he’s expensive as a third-corner at age 32. He’s making $7 million this year, with less than half of that left to be paid. There’s a better way to spend that money if Thomas is acquired.

Finding a landing spot for Carr wasn’t hard. The Eagles can easily afford him without another move, and his physical style would be perfect with Jim Schwartz. Acquiring Carr would allow the team to move Jalen Mills to a backup or safety role and finally improve on the weakest defender on the field.

Carr’s an average corner, lacking ball skills and playmaking ability. His play strength and press consistency are major assets though, and would compliment Ronald Darby well. He’s a much more refined and disciplined version of Mills.

The Eagles likely would need to give very little in this theoretical deal since the Ravens would have little leverage to facilitate the Thomas trade. A late Day 3 pick to open the door for a good receiver and clear off $7 million from their 2019 and 2020 books is a fair price.