NFL Rumors: Could Ravens fix pass rush with blockbuster trade?

ESPN’s Seth Walder suggested that the Baltimore Ravens make a blockbuster trade with the Washington Commanders to bolster their pass rush.

The Baltimore Ravens avoided catastrophe this offseason by signing quarterback and former NFL MVP Lamar Jackson to a monster contract extension. Before that deal was done, the team brought in wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. to be one of Jackson’s top targets in the passing game. Not to mention the addition of former Georgia offensive coordinator Todd Monken.

Even with the changes on offense, the team could still use some help on the defensive side of the line of scrimmage. Specifically, some help with the pass rush. This offseason, they lost Justin Houston, Calais Campbell, and Jason Pierre-Paul this offseason, and didn’t make a notable addition.

ESPN’s Seth Walder wrote an article (subscription required) suggesting five trades that should be made this preseason. For the Ravens, Walder suggests the team trade for Washington Commanders defensive end Chase Young. In exchange, the Ravens would give up a third-round pick and a fifth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

NFL Rumors: ESPN suggests Ravens trade for Commanders DE Chase Young

"“His ability to beat blocks and get pressure is why I could see Baltimore taking a swing. The team just extended defensive tackle Broderick Washington to help solidify the interior of its defensive line, but edge rusher is a weakness, with Tyus Bowser, Odafe Oweh and David Ojabo at the top of Baltimore’s depth chart,” writes Walder. “Young gives the group instant upside and costs very little to the Ravens financially — only an approximate $1 million salary, per Roster Management System.“If Young works out, Baltimore gets the value of his play and can consider re-signing him or letting him go for a compensatory pick (which it has a better shot of getting than the Commanders would if Washington kept Young this year). But even if he doesn’t work out, the Ravens would probably still get some sort of compensatory pick if Young signs elsewhere next March.”"

Young was one of the premier prospects in the 2020 class alongside LSU quarterback Joe Burrow. If you needed pass-rush help, Young was the player you would tank for. For the Washington Commanders, they finished with a worse record than the New York Giants, who had a glaring pass rush need at the time and selected Young.

The Ohio State product had a good first season with the Commanders, winning Defensive Rookie o the Year after recording 44 combined tackles (32 solo, 12 assisted), 12 quarterback hits, and 7.5 sacks. But after that, Young suffered a torn ACL late in the 2021 season, and he didn’t return until Week 15 last season.

This offseason, the Commanders declined to pick up Young’s fifth-year option, meaning he will become a free agent after this upcoming season. If he were to bounce back this upcoming campaign, he could cash in in free agency.

The Ravens could use some pass-rush help, and bringing in a big-name and promising player like Young could work wonders for them. Again, this is a suggestion by Walder, not an actual report or a confirmation that something like this is in the works.