Trade: Ravens trade No. 28 to Lions for No. 35, 131, 2021 fourth-round pick
The Ravens start the draft by trading out of the first round. The players available to them at No. 28 feel like a bit of a reach in regard to what this roster needs. So if they can trade down only seven spots to improve that value while also picking up another top-150 pick and a future mid-rounder, that’s a wise decision.
With the No. 35 pick that they traded down to with the Lions, Baltimore addresses their need on the edge. Not only are they possibly losing Judon in free agency, but they strongly need to get more of a pass rush without blitzing. That was a sneaky shortcoming this past year and something that bit them against the Titans. Thus, Terrell Lewis makes a lot of sense here.
Lewis not only maintains the Alabama-Ravens pipeline that existed for many years but he’s a standout prospect. He’s incredibly explosive, long and athletic, all of which can make him a nightmare coming off the edge as a rush linebacker. While he needs to be coached in terms of his pass-rush plan and technique, he has the physical tools to be a necessary, dominant force on Baltimore’s defense.
Because of his light frame at 6-4, 225 pounds (listed), many people might scoff at taking Troy Dye to address the Ravens needs at linebacker. However, when you look back at the loss to the Titans, where Baltimore really struggled was with speed and explosiveness getting to the outside and making plays. Henry gashed them on those types of plays and that’s something Dye can undeniably help address.
In addition to using terrific length and fluidity in coverage, Dye has all the range in the world as a tackler given his physical traits. And despite the concerns about his size — which he will need to add more bulk to in the NFL — he is fully capable of tackling with leverage and power when he needs to make a play. Bringing him into this linebacker group along with Lewis would immediately make the Ravens a much scarier and explosive defensive unit.