The Baltimore Ravens have multiple talented playmakers in their secondary. Cut down day always brings multiple tough decisions, but with many players stepping up during the preseason, the team knew that the couldn’t keep everyone on their opening day roster.
On Thursday, Baltimore made one of those tough decisions, sending rookie defensive back Shaun Wade to the New England Patriots in return for multiple draft selections.
The Patriots are acquiring CB Shaun Wade in a trade with the Ravens, per source. First reported by @RapSheet. Still unclear if this is related to Jon Jones' injury today in practice.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) August 26, 2021
For Wade, the Ravens are getting from the Patriots a 7th-round pick in 2022 and a 5th-round pick in 2023.
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) August 26, 2021
Wade was considered a steal by many when the Ravens selected him in the fifth round (160th overall) in the 2021 draft. He was labeled as a second-round or even in some cases a first-round talent after a phenominal 2019 season at Ohio State University , but decided to return to school in 2020, where he struggled mightily and tanked his draft stock.
The rookie was competing with defensive backs such as Chris Westry, Nigel Warrior, Ar’Darius Washington and Geno Stone for a roster spot. The trade of Wade seemingly indicates that he wasn’t going to make the 53-man roster, and Baltimore did a good job of finding a trade partner to get back compensation for him instead of losing a talented player for nothing, as he was unlikely to pass through waivers after getting released.
