The Cleveland Browns have so many reasons not to trade defensive end Myles Garrett. They have even more reasons not to trade him to the Ravens. And the Ravens fit the sole criterion that Garrett underlined in the trade request he made Monday. The campaigning from quarterback Lamar Jackson and senior secondary coach Chuck Pagano has already begun. The Baltimore Banner thanks its sponsors. Become one. Garrett had 40, second most in the league and more than twice as many as Van Noy The Ravens need that kind of pass rush help in the AFC.
All three figure to be in the Ravens' way for a while. But under DeCosta, the Ravens have at least shown a willingness to swing for the fences. In , he reportedly proposed a novel sign-and-trade idea for then-unsigned outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney that the NFL shot down. In , he reportedly tried to get Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton in the offseason and then-Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry during the season.
And this past season, he reportedly pursued then-New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore and Miami Dolphins defensive lineman Calais Campbell at the trade deadline. And those are just the deals DeCosta missed out on. In his six-plus years as general manager, the Ravens have acquired an All-Pro cornerback Marcus Peters , a five-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Calais Campbell , a four-time Pro Bowl running back Derrick Henry , a one-time Pro Bowl defensive end Yannick Ngakoue and a former top pick at inside linebacker Roquan Smith β all players in or close to their physical primes.
We just assess case by case and see what we can do. Adding him would effectively take them out of the market this offseason for left tackle Ronnie Stanley, a pending free agent , and require a few contract restructures, which DeCosta has been reluctant to embrace.
A new long-term deal, which Garrett would all but require before signing off on a trade, could force tougher decisions in Baltimore. Top-of-the-market extensions for All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton and Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum, who are due big raises after the season, would take up even more space, even with the cap rising every year. Elite pass rushers are hard to find. Reluctance to trade within the division: Shame can be a powerful motivator.
