Getty Baltimore Ravens safety Chuck Clark celebrating after a big play in an NFL game.
The New York Jets still have a few glaring holes on the roster as they head into the doldrums of the summer.
One creative way they could fill one of those voids is with a fascinating player swap that could help out both teams this offseason.
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An Interesting Trade Idea
During the 2022 NFL draft, the Baltimore Ravens were exploring trade possibilities to move on from safety Chuck Clark, per NFL Insider Jeremy Fowler.
In particular one trade was close to happening between the Ravens and the Philadelphia Eagles. The deal would’ve featured the Eagles flipping disappointing former first-round wide receiver Jalen Reagor for Clark straight up, per NFL Insider Adam Caplan.
The #Ravens and #Eagles discussed a trade for Safety Chuck Clark during the Draft, according to @caplannfl
Ravens showed interest in WR Jalen Reagor but the talks died down.
While that trade never came to fruition it raises an interesting possibility for the Jets.
If the Ravens are searching for wide receiver help, perhaps Gang Green could flip Denzel Mims and a late rounder in exchange for Clark.
The third-year wideout has been a disappointment so far for the Jets and has yet to record a touchdown. However this offseason he looks like a man reborn and could be due for a bounceback season.
#Jets WR Denzel Mims (@Zel5Zelly) has been working with one of the best wide receiver coaches on the planet this offseason: David Robinson (@drobalwayzopen) #TakeFlight #NFL 🎥 krystalk_photos on IG @BUFootball
With the Jets already being four deep at wide receiver, they could look to flip Mims. General manager Joe Douglas has done this sort of thing before when he traded Chris Herndon to the Minnesota Vikings last year for a fourth-round draft choice.
The former Baylor product still has two years left on his rookie contract and a change of scenery could help him realize his full potential.
A Lot of Connective Tissue
According to Fowler, after the Ravens selected Kyle Hamilton in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft, “multiple teams” checked in on a potential Clark trade.
Baltimore now has two starting safeties in Hamilton and Marcus Williams who they gave over $70 million to in free agency and suddenly there isn’t a starting gig available for Chuck.
Clark hasn’t requested a trade however he “wants to play” and would welcome a potential change, per Fowler.
The 27-year-old is just a rock-solid player. He has played in 79 out of 81 possible games and has delivered when called upon:
- Five interceptions
- 28 pass deflections
- Over 283 total tackles
This would provide a plug-and-play starter very late in the offseason process. In theory, Clark would line up right next to Jordan Whitehead and would complete the reconstruction of the Jets’ secondary.
Something that could help make this trade a reality is the connection between Douglas and the Ravens organization. JD spent the first 14 years of his NFL career with the Ravens as a scout.
Another interesting backdrop of this potential trade is the fact that these two teams will open up the 2022 season against each other in Week 1.
If Clark is going to be moved, the Jets should be one of the first teams waiting in line to make something happen.
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