Just 2 weeks ago, it seemed like the Baltimore Ravens were going to be clear-cut sellers at the NFL trade deadline.
Now, 2 consecutive wins from the Ravens to improve to 3-5 and the return of quarterback and 2-time NFL Most Valuable Player Lamar Jackson has changed those plans.
The Ravens made a move to improve their defense, sending a conditional 2026 fifth round pick to the Tennessee Titans in exchange for veteran edge rusher Dre’Mont Jones, and doing so less than 24 hours before the NFL trade deadline.
With Jones, 6-foot-3 and 260 pounds, the Ravens are getting someone playing some of the best football of his career right now.
“Sources: The #Ravens are trading for #Titans edge Dre’Mont Jones, sending a conditional 5th rounder that could possibly become a fourth-rounder,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport wrote on his official X account on Monday, November 3. “More defensive help in Baltimore from a player whose has had 4.5 sacks in the last four games.”
“The pick going to Tennessee is the Jets’ 2026 5th-round pick that Baltimore had; but there are conditions in which that pick could become the Ravens’ 2026 4th-round pick,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter wrote on his official X account.
Dynamic Final College Season Boosted Draft Stock
Jones was a 3-year starter at Ohio State, earning Freshman All-American honors in 2016 followed by consecutive All-Big Ten nods in 2017 and 2018.
In his final college season, Jones was at his best with 8.5 sacks and became the first defensive lineman in Ohio State history to score 2 defensive touchdowns in the same season.
Jones left the Buckeyes with one year of eligibility remaining to enter the 2019 NFL draft and was selected in the third round (No. 71 overall) by the Denver Broncos.
In his first 4 seasons with the Broncos, Jones had 22.0 sacks but didn’t even become a full time starter until his fourth season, when he had 6.5 sacks in 13 starts. Jones cashed in big in free agency, signing a 3-year, $51.53 million contract with the Seattle Seahawks before the 2023 season.
Jones had 8.5 sacks in 2 seasons with the Seahawks before he was released to clear $11.5 million of salary cap space after the 2024 season and signed a 1-year, $8.5 million free agent contract with the Titans in March.
The Ravens will only be on the hook for $1.265 million of Jones’ 2025 salary.
Ravens, Fans Welcome Help for Struggling Defense
The Ravens made an “addition by subtraction” trade just days before dealing for Jones when they sent cornerback Jaire Alexander and a 2027 seventh round pick to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a 2026 sixth round pick.
Getting Jones is “addition by addition” — and should be welcomed by the Ravens and their fans.
After a 1-5 start, consecutive wins over the Chicago Bears and Miami Dolphins seem to have reinvigorated the Ravens, and the AFC North is still very much up for grabs. The first place Pittsburgh Steelers are only 5-3, meaning Ravens-Steelers games in Week 14 and Week 18 could very well determine the division’s lone AFC playoff spot.
The Ravens travel to face the Minnesota Vikings in Week 10.
“Dre’Mont Jones is comfortable rushing both inside and outside which is good for alignment versatility,” Sleeper HG’s Chris Cooper wrote on his official X account after the trade. “Physical against the run with veteran savvy hand usage & stunt timing. I like the fit for the Ravens.”
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