Training camp is a time where unexpected stars can be made. An undrafted player could perform extremely well during practices or an injury could propel an unknown player into more first-team reps where they show how valuable they are. However, sometimes there just isn’t enough roster space for budding players but a team doesn’t want to let them get away without getting anything in return.
The Baltimore Ravens are no exception to this. The team has positions where eight or nine players could make the roster based on talent level alone. However, with only 53 roster spots to hand out it can be difficult for the Ravens to keep everyone that they want on the team.
Baltimore has had to do this in the past, just last year trading linebacker Kamalei Correa to the Tennessee Titans. He likely wasn’t going to make the roster and the Ravens were able to get something in return for him. We’ll take a look at a few players that could be on the trading block during Baltimore’s 2019 training camp.
K/P Kaare Vedvik
Some Ravens fans might not remember Vedvik. The kicker and punter out Marshall who hails from Norway flashed elite ability both at Ravens training camp and during the preseason last year. In training camp he was seen hitting field goals of up to 70 yards.
He carried his powerful leg into the preseason and didn’t disappoint. Vedvik hit eight of nine field goals, including a 56 yarder. The Ravens don’t need Vedvik, as they already have two of the best specialists in the business in kicker Justin Tucker and punter Sam Koch.
The Ravens received trade offers for Vedvik last preseason before a tragic incident in downtown Baltimore cut his season short before it even began. If he kicks well again this preseason there’s no reason other teams won’t have interest again. In fact, coach John Harbaugh even noted the team would look to trade Vedvik at some point this offseason.
“Actually, I fully expect that he’ll kick well enough for us to trade him.,” Harbaugh said at the owner’s meeting in March. “That’s kind of, I would say, the goal.”
With how bad kicking has absolutely destroyed some teams, Baltimore could get quite the return for their kicker. Vedvik could fetch anywhere from a fifth- to seventh-round pick, something the Ravens would love to acquire for a player that almost assuredly wouldn’t make the 53-man roster.
RB Kenneth Dixon
We’ve already talked extensively about how Dixon is likely currently on the Ravens’ roster bubble entering training camp. If Dixon can remain healthy in training camp and they decide to move on from him, Baltimore would surely love to get some compensation back for a player that has been productive when he’s on the field.
Dixon has totaled 715 rushing yards and 213 receiving yards while scoring five total touchdowns over three seasons. He’s known for fighting for extra yards and refusing to go down while also having the elusiveness to make defenders miss.
A running back like that deserves to be on someone’s roster. However, the biggest knock on Dixon has been his availability. Dixon has an extensive injury history. He’s only played in 18 regular-season games in his three NFL seasons due to multiple injuries and suspensions, missing out on 30 others.
Baltimore has three other capable running backs on the roster in Mark Ingram, Gus Edwards and Justice Hill. Even De’Lance Turner has earned positive reviews this offseason. Since the Ravens have so much depth at the position, Dixon might be the odd man out.
Given his injury and suspension history, Dixon isn’t likely to command a high draft pick, even though he’s talented enough to start. It also doesn’t help that the league doesn’t value running backs very highly as a whole and there are plenty of capable running backs on the free-agent market. Realistically, Baltimore would be looking at a sixth- or seventh-round pick if they can find a trade partner.
QB Robert Griffin III
The Ravens made sure to re-sign Robert Griffin III to a two-year deal this offseason. Although he didn’t see the field much last season, he provided invaluable veteran leadership and was one of Lamar Jackson’s biggest mentors during the 2018 campaign.
But that doesn’t mean Griffin is completely safe either. Baltimore fielded some trade calls last offseason and Griffin said the Jacksonville Jaguars tried to trade for him. That, at the least, indicates there’s a market for Griffin’s services. Like the Ravens, there are teams that likely view Griffin as a valuable backup at a minimum. But if an injury to a starter happens at training camp, Griffin might be at the top of someone’s list and start blowing up general manager Eric DeCosta’s phone.
Of course, the Ravens likely won’t trade Griffin. They signed him to be their backup for at least this season. But they also drafted Trace McSorley as well. If McSorley plays well and Baltimore feels comfortable with him, a huge offer might be too tempting to pass up.
That being said, I think the offer would have to be something that would be downright overkill for the Ravens to pull the trigger. I think it’d take a minimum of a third-round pick and McSorley playing incredibly well for Baltimore to do anything more than answer the phone. So, you probably shouldn’t count on that happening. But we’ve seen weirder things happen in the NFL.
OLB Tyus Bowser
Just like we saw last year with Correa, Bowser is a high-round draft pick that hasn’t quite panned out. He’s a great athlete but doesn’t necessarily do any one thing exceptionally well at outside linebacker. That has meant Baltimore has had trouble putting him in the lineup consistently.
Entering his third season, the Ravens are going to need to see Bowser take a leap forward to secure a roster spot. If he doesn’t make a clear case for a spot on the 53-man roster, Baltimore could put him on the trading block.
He’s flashed a few times, like the interception in the photo above, which could be tempting to other teams. He’s got a lot of potential and could be a much better fit with another team. At the right price for a trade, the Ravens could see quite a few teams show interest.
The Correa trade is our baseline for Bowser’s value here. Baltimore got a sixth-round pick in return for Correa and Bowser would likely earn very similar. But depending on how well Bowser does in training camp and the preseason, he could fit anywhere between a fifth- and seventh-round pick if traded.
