OTL: An Eventful NFL Trade Deadline

Hello, everyone, and happy Wednesday morning to you all. Wow, what a fun NFL trade deadline that was.That was one of the most exciting trade deadlines in a while, almost rivaling the MLB’s deadline in terms of how wild and fun it was.

In terms of Ravens moves, there was, of course, this one:

Compensation update: Bears are trading LB Roquan Smith to the Ravens in exchange for second- and fifth-round picks, per source.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 31, 2022

This was the Ravens’ huge move that they chose to make. Instead of upgrading the WR position as many fans wanted, they decided to roll with their BPA strategy from their drafts, acquiring, arguably, the best overall player available on the trade market. This is a two-time All-Pro Linebacker that went for less than a first-round pick and is only 25 years old.

Roquan Smith is awesome and is a tackling machine that will allow all other Baltimore defenders to play their roles and do the jobs they need to do to win.

Of course, Roquan wasn’t the only upgrade on defense for the Ravens yesterday:

We have activated LBs Tyus Bowser and David Ojabo. pic.twitter.com/UL3UNiU0QC

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) November 1, 2022

The defense is looking sick right now, a side of the ball Baltimore appears to be swimming in riches.

I can’t understate how much Roquan will help this defense – which will be important because they did nothing on offense at the deadline.

Despite having an uncertain injury situation with Rashod Bateman, the Ravens didn’t make a move to get a receiver. The fan base responded to this well, as you can guess.

Look, I get it, man. It is frustrating to see other franchises like the Bills, Eagles, and Chiefs go all in with their elite quarterbacks and get them a ton of weapons while the Ravens sit on their hands and do nothing. But honestly, who was available?

Don’t say DJ Moore because the Panthers weren’t trading their young players without multiple first round picks attached. Brandin Cooks would have been cool, but he would have cost a second, which the Ravens didn’t have, and his contract got in the way.

Two sources directly involved tell me #Cowboys and #Texans discussed a potential trade involving WR Brandin Cooks until the final minutes before the NFL trade deadline expired. Draft pick compensation and the $18M guaranteed salary for Cooks in 2023 could not be resolved in time

— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) November 1, 2022

Look at this list of the players traded and tell me who moves the needle for the Ravens:

Christian McCaffrey: SF
Bradley Chubb: MIA
Calvin Ridley: JAX
Roquan Smith: BAL
TJ Hockenson: MIN
Chase Claypool: CHI
Kadarius Toney: KC
Robert Quinn: PHI
Nyheim Hines: BUF
Jeff Wilson: MIA
James Robinson: NYJ
Chase Edmonds: DEN
Zack Moss: IND
Will Jackson: PIT
Jacob Martin: DEN

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) November 1, 2022

Outside of Claypool, who wasn’t getting traded in division (plus, the Bears overpaid), and Ridley who can’t even play this year, no one else at receiver was traded.

Simply put, there wasn’t a market for these receivers. I think the fan base is missing this aspect.

Roquan and Bradley Chubb were the best players traded at the deadline, and the Ravens got one of them, yet fans still want to complain about the receivers.

When you play more two-high structures it puts more pressure on the “spear” or “spine” of your defense.

The Ravens added Marcus Williams, Kyle Hamilton, Michael Pierce, Travis Jones, Brent Urban and Roquan Smith.

In that same idea, they drafted an elite run blocking C. https://t.co/AwS5dFZ58e

— Spencer N. Schultz (@ravens4dummies) November 1, 2022

That tweet helps put this team’s moves in perspective. Roquan might not be the most significant need, but he was one of the best players available, and he didn’t even cost a first.

The Ravens defense is looking fierce with the additions of Roquan, David Ojabo, and Tyus Bowser. The offense will have to figure it out at this point. Use Devin Duvernay more, throw to Isaiah Likely, use check-downs to the backs, and embrace your identity.

This is looking like a fun second half for the Ravens, and it might lead to the one thing we all want, a deep playoff run.

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