The 2021 NFL trade deadline is quickly approaching, with the last day to make trades coming on November 2nd. A key questions that’s been asked by many is if Eric DeCosta will make any moves that could improve the Baltimore Ravens for the rest of the season, as there are plenty of reasons both for and against the team making a deadline deal.
Last season, DeCosta traded a 2021 third-round draft pick and a 2022 conditional fifth-round pick to acquire DE/OLB Yannick Ngakoue. This season, the Baltimore have some needs to address due to injuries on both sides of the ball that happened in training camp and during the season.
With the signing of offensive tackle Cedric Ogbuehi to the practice squad, the Ravens probably don’t need to address that position at the deadline since they will also seemingly be getting tight end Nick Boyle back from injured reserve sooner rather than later, which would also help the offensive line.
Another position that Baltimore could look to get help at via trade is at running back. The veteran trio of Latavius Murray, Devonta Freeman and Le’Veon Bell has been a bit underwhelming through seven weeks, so if the team feels like a player such as James Robinson from the Jacksonville Jaguars or Marlon Mack from the Indianapolis Colts could help, they could certainly make that move.
On defense, the two positions that make the most sense to acquire a player in a trade at are at inside linebacker and also in the secondary. The Ravens have defensive lineman Derek Wolfe returning from injury hopefully sooner rather than later, so the defensive line is already getting reinforcements. The outside linebacker group is deep as well.
If DeCosta were to make any moves during the NFL trade deadline, the linebacker and maybe running back position should be the main focus of his attention. If he can add a good tackling linebacker to help play next to Patrick Queen, Malik Harrison, and Josh Bynes then the defense as a whole should improve.