The Baltimore Ravens love to get as many shots in the draft as possible. While they enter the 2020 NFL Draft with nine picks, including seven in the first four rounds, the Ravens could look to improve that number even more by trading back in the first round.
Unlike the trade-up scenarios, Baltimore isn’t likely to find too many teams eyeing up their No. 28 pick given the depth at several positions and the lack of top options at many others. But there are a few teams that could see a player they love fall into the bottom of the first round and look to the Ravens as the best path to go get them.
With that in mind, here are the three most likely scenarios where Baltimore could trade their first-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft and move back.
Detroit Lions
Needs: QB
Ravens get: No. 35 (2nd), No. 109 (4th), No. 149 (5th)
Lions get: No. 28 (1st)
After 11 seasons at the helm and coming off a season-ending back injury, it’s not far fetched to think the Lions could be looking for Matthew Stafford’s heir in this draft. Much like the Ravens did in 2018 — taking Lamar Jackson at the end of the first round — Detroit could push back into the first round to find the guy they’ll hand the reins to in another year or two while getting a valuable fifth-year option on him.
The Lions could certainly address the position with their No. 3 pick but with one of the top defensive players falling into their laps, it seems like it would be easier to take the sure thing and then gamble slightly with a trade up for a quarterback.
The Ravens would move back only a handful of spots, likely seeing at least one of the prospects they like at No. 28 fall to them in the early second round. Plus they’ll get an early fourth-round pick and an early fifth-round pick for their troubles, giving them more chances to address major needs with immediate contributors.
Indianapolis Colts
Needs: QB, WR
Ravens get: No. 34 (2nd), No. 75 (3rd), No. 160 (5th)
Colts get: No. 28 (1st), No. 92 (3rd)
The Colts have no first-round pick at all, which could make them a little desperate if they see a player falling to them. In this scenario, the Ravens move back six spots in order to jump up 17 in the third round while picking up and extra fifth-rounder as well.
Though Indianapolis added Philip Rivers this offseason, it was only on a one-year deal. And while they still have Jacoby Brissett on the roster, he’s only signed through 2020 and the addition of Rivers speaks volumes about how they view Brissett as a long-term option. Having a fifth-year option on a quarterback is also an incredibly wise move but might not have the same value on too many other positions moving forward thanks to the increased cost of the new CBA.
But let’s not forget about the Colts’ need at wide receiver to pair with their new quarterback. As Colts Wire managing editor Kevin Hickey noted, wide receiver is currently their top need. Though Baltimore has a major need at wide receiver as well, they can afford to be a little more patient after drafting Marquese Brown and Miles Boykin last year. With the Colts’ need and the few teams between them also needing pass catchers too, Indianapolis might want to jump up and ensure they get their guy.
Houston Texans
Needs: WR, CB, S, G
Ravens get: No. 40 (2nd), No. 90 (3rd), No. 171 (6th)
Colts get: No. 28 (1st)
The Texans have been a bit of a mess recently. Say what you want about the trades themselves but they’ve been aggressive in getting the guys they want, to the point where they don’t have a first-round pick for these next two drafts because of it. They also haven’t been shy in jettisoning players either, though they haven’t gotten the greatest returns in those trades.
That combination of trades for players and trading away players leaves them with a ton of needs without a ton of top picks. While most teams would want to have more shots in this draft, trying to predict what a smart move would be for Houston seems like a foolish endeavor, so we’re going to add them to this list of potential trade options.
The Texans need a wide receiver after trading away DeAndre Hopkins. They need massive help in the secondary at both cornerback and safety. They also invested a lot to get tackle Laremy Tunsil but need to upgrade the interior of their offensive line to make the most of that trade and eventual contract cost. Those needs are all immediate and major, which makes Houston a prime candidate to trade up into the first round and grab a top prospect at any of those positions.
