The Baltimore Ravens are gearing up for an active offseason, with plans to be active in free agency and the NFL draft. In a league where the quarterback position is crucial, the Ravens, who have Lamar Jackson as their QB, could use their position to their advantage and potentially acquire more picks through trades.
A proposed trade between the Ravens and the Minnesota Vikings, suggested by Alec Lewis of The Athletic, could be beneficial for both teams. The trade would see the Ravens sending their first-round No. 30 pick to the Vikings, who would use it to select Oregon QB Bo Nix, according to Lewis. In return, the Ravens would receive the No. 42 overall pick, a 2024 fifth-rounder, and a 2025 third-rounder.
The Vikings are in a challenging position this offseason, with Kirk Cousins being a free agent and coming off an injury. Waiting until their second-round pick for Nix could be risky, and making this trade would also secure the potential fifth-year option for Nix, as Lewis noted.
The Ravens currently have seven picks in the upcoming NFL Draft, but they are projected to receive an additional compensatory pick in the fourth round for the free-agent loss of guard Ben Powers. With a tight cap situation, the Ravens may need to rely more on the draft this season.
Pro Football Focus analyst Trevor Sikkema also proposed a similar trade between the Vikings and the Ravens in his post-Super Bowl mock draft. He projected the Ravens using their two premium second-round picks to address key positions of need, selecting OT Kiran Amegadjie from Yale at pick No. 42 and CB Mike Sainristil from Michigan at pick No. 62.
Oregon QB Bo Nix has 6 TDs at halftime(!):
22 of 27 Passing
381 Yards
6 Touchdowns
42-0 Lead pic.twitter.com/FLNlU2i21X pic.twitter.com/soJDtG6nXf— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) November 18, 2023
Both positions could be areas of need for the Ravens, as offensive linemen Ronnie Stanley and Morgan Moses have dealt with injuries, and cornerback Marlon Humphrey could be a cap casualty. The Ravens may also not be able to rely on repeat performances from Ronald Darby and Arthur Maulet.
The Vikings, on the other hand, have two premier wide receivers in Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. Jefferson will likely need a new contract soon, which could impact the team’s cap space. If the Vikings can’t reach a contract agreement with Cousins, they will need to start looking for his replacement. Nix, who began his college career at Auburn before transferring to Oregon, could be a mature developmental option for the Vikings, offering flexibility with his rookie QB contract.
By trading up and securing the fifth-year option for Nix, the Vikings would give themselves an extra year of affordability and cap relief. This trade could be a win-win for both teams, addressing their respective needs and setting them up for success in the future.
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