Analyzing Baltimore Ravens' Best Trade Options with 26th Pick in NFL Draft
The Baltimore Ravens are just a few pieces away from becoming a Super Bowl contender.
One could argue they already were good enough to win a title this past year after going 11-7 and taking the New England Patriots to the limit in the playoffs.
Though New England won the Super Bowl this year, Baltimore held a two-score lead in the second half of their divisional-round game against the Patriots.
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Had the Ravens finished the deal, they could have been the ones representing the AFC in the Super Bowl and possibly even winning it.
Because Baltimore is so close to becoming a championship contender, it wouldn't come as a shock to see it trade up in the draft in order to make sure it gets the guy who could propel it into the Super Bowl next season.
With the 26th overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft, Baltimore could theoretically package it and several other picks in order to move up and select a player it doesn't feel will be there at pick No. 26.
However, Baltimore is a team with not much cap space and several key free agents set to hit the market. The Ravens might be wise to move back and acquire more picks to fill the holes potentially generated by free-agent losses.
Here is a look at several draft-trade scenarios in which the Ravens either package picks to move up or move back into the draft in order to acquire more picks.
TRADE WITH CHIEFS TO SELECT DEVANTE PARKER (MOVE UP TO PICK NO. 18)
The Ravens could lose Torrey Smith in free agency, but even if they don't, they still have a need at receiver.
Steve Smith Sr. is the only other consistent pass-catcher, and he turns 36 in May. He's at the age where retirement is a possibility every year going forward.
After Torrey and Steve, Baltimore got little production from its other receivers, who combined for just 64 catches and four scores last year.
Getting another receiver is already a must this offseason, and instead of taking one toward the end of the first round, Baltimore might try to move up and get one of the top receiver prospects this year.
DeVante Parker fits that bill. The 6'3", 209-pound monster out of Louisville notched 156 career receptions for 2,775 yards (17.7 avg) and 33 scores.
He is one of the top overall prospects in this year's draft, and there's almost no chance he's on the board at pick No. 26. CBS Sports' Pat Kirwan, Dane Brugler and Rob Rang all have Parker drafted within the first 18 picks.
It looks unlikely he falls past the receiver-needy Chiefs at No. 18, and Parker certainly isn't falling past the AFC North rival Cleveland Browns at No. 19.
General manager Ozzie Newsome would be wise to ensure he is playing for the Ravens and not against them twice a year. It will cost the Ravens their first- and second-round draft picks to move up eight spots in the first round. The Ravens might be able to move up trading a first-, third- and fourth-round pick and save that second-round pick.
Though costly, it would be worth it to get a guy like Parker for a Ravens offense in need of another big-time pass-catcher.
TRADE WITH EAGLES TO SELECT ALVIN "BUD" DUPREE (MOVE UP TO PICK NO. 20)
If Baltimore wants to add a big-time pass-rusher in this draft, it may have to trade up to get one of the better pass-rushing prospects.
Adding another pass-rusher may seem unnecessary, given that Terrell Suggs, Elvis Dumervil and Pernell McPhee combined for 36.5 sacks this past season. However, McPhee is set to become a free agent, and Over The Cap projects Baltimore to have around $8 million in cap space this offseason.
McPhee will be one of the top pass-rushers to hit the market, and re-signing him looks unlikely at this point. That would leave Suggs and Dumervil as the only Ravens to have more than four sacks this past season.
There's also reason to doubt Suggs and Dumervil can keep up their level of production for much longer. Suggs is 32 and heading into his 13th NFL season in 2015. Dumervil turned 31 on January 19, and an injection of youth into this position should be an offseason priority for Baltimore.
One of the top pass-rushers in this draft is outside linebacker Bud Dupree. The former Kentucky Wildcat finished his four-year career with 23.5 sacks, 247 tackles, 38 tackles for loss and four forced fumbles.
Dupree would thrive as a situational backup behind Suggs and Dumervil who could ensure they don't get overworked in the regular season, leaving them fresh for the postseason for when Baltimore looks to make a deep playoff run.
However, getting Dupree seems unlikely at pick No. 26. CBS Sports' trio of Kirwan, Brugler and Rang have Dupree getting selected at pick No. 13, 17 and 24 in their respective mock drafts.
If Dupree falls to pick No. 20 to the Philadelphia Eagles, Baltimore should try to trade picks with them to select Dupree. Moving up six spots shouldn't cost too much. A first- and third-round pick should suffice.
Dupree would be worth it to Baltimore, where he could become the next great pass-rusher the franchise produces.
TRADE WITH SEAHAWKS (MOVE BACK TO PICK NO. 31)
If the Ravens want to move back in the first round, they can't go far. After their first pick, there are just six more picks in the first round, but there still could be a trade to made.
Seattle is in need of an upgrade on its defensive line, and there are several defensive tackles slated to be selected within the first 30 picks right before the Seahawks pick at No. 31.
Texas' Malcolm Brown, Florida State's Eddie Goldman and Washington's Danny Shelton are all projected to be drafted before pick No. 30 in CBS' three mock drafts, so Seattle might look to move up if they want one of those guys.
If one of them is one the board at pick No. 26, Baltimore should try to swap spots to move back and acquire more picks. Unless the Ravens trade altogether out of the first round, this might be the best-case scenario for Baltimore trading back and getting more draft picks.
SUMMARY
It's still very early, and there's three months until the 2015 NFL draft. Between now and then, free agency will take place, and Baltimore could fill holes and/or have more arise as the result of players it loses.
Baltimore's biggest offseason needs could change drastically between now and the draft, but this is a fun look at some different moves it could make when the draft does finally come.
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