Getty Former Raven Matt Stover announces Baltimore's pick at NFL Draft.
The Baltimore Ravens are poised to be extremely active from free agency through the NFL draft, including potentially making some trades to acquire picks. In a league where quarterback is so important (the Ravens have their QB position locked up with Lamar Jackson), teams’ desire to trade up to select a QB in the draft gives their rivals leverage in extorting more compensation.
The Minnesota Vikings could be one of those teams willing to unload picks for a chance to draft a new quarterback to replace free agent Kirk Cousins, according to The Athletic’s Alec Lewis, who proposed a trade in which the Ravens get three picks from the Viking in exchange for the No. 30 pick. The Vikings would then select Oregon’s Bo Nix.
“So why do this? Trading up would not only secure the Vikings their preferred option at quarterback, but it would also secure the potential fifth-year option,” Lewis wrote in the February 13 mock draft. “Nix would make sense as a mature developmental option whose rookie QB contract would offer immense flexibility.”
Lewis suggested the Ravens would receive a package of the No. 42 overall pick, a 2024 fifth-rounder and a 2025 third-rounder.
“In 2019, the Ravens traded into the first round to select a quarterback — a guy by the name of Lamar Jackson,” Lewis wrote.
Oregon QB Bo Nix has 6 TDs at halftime(!):
22 of 27 Passing
381 Yards
6 Touchdowns
42-0 Lead
Ravens Could Reload at Multiple Positions in NFL Draft
The Ravens currently have seven picks in the upcoming draft. However, according to Ravens.com’s Ryan Mink, “Baltimore is projected to get an additional compensatory pick in the fourth round for the free-agent loss of guard Ben Powers (Denver) last offseason.”
The Ravens may need to rely on the draft more than usual this season because they find themselves in a tight cap situation. According to Over the Cap, the Ravens have only $7.3 million in cap space, as of February 16.
In his mock draft, Pro Football Focus’ Trevor Sikkema envisioned a similar trade between the Vikings and the Ravens (minus the 2024 fifth-rounder), suggesting the two premium second-round picks being used to select Yale offensive tackle Kiran Amegadjie (at No. 42) and Michigan cornerback Mike Sainristil at No. 62.
The offensive line could lose Ronnie Stanley as a cap casualty this offseason and both he and fellow tackle Morgan Moses have dealt with injury issues during the 2023 season.
Cornerback Marlon Humphrey could also find himself on the chopping block (although unlikely), but he too dealt with injuries much of the season. Additionally, the Ravens may not be able to count on repeat performances from Ronald Darby and Arthur Maulet.
Vikings Could Be Looking Toward Future
The Vikings have two premier wide receivers in Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. Jefferson will likely need a new contract soon that will set the market.
If the Vikings can’t figure out a contract with Cousins, they will need to start looking for his replacement. They currently have the 11th pick in the draft, so they could take a QB earlier but if the top talent is gone, they may have to wait for the next tier, which likely includes Nix.
“Nix, specifically, is a polarizing prospect,” Lewis wrote. “He began his college career at Auburn, where he struggled mightily, but then transferred to Oregon and soared.”