Baltimore Beatdown
Every week, SB Nation tracks fan confidence for each NFL team, and unsurprisingly, the confidence of Baltimore Ravens fans has plummeted this year.
Our pre-Week 1 Ravens Reacts survey indicated that 95% of fans were confident in the team direction. By Week 4, that number dropped to 11%, and it has not risen above 13% since. Though the Ravens are expecting to get Lamar Jackson and Roquan Smith back after their Week 7 bye, only 11% of respondents to this week’s survey indicated confidence in the team moving forward.
Fans are most concerned about a Baltimore defense that has allowed the fifth-most passing yards and touchdowns this season. The secondary and the pass rush have both been handicapped by injuries, but that does not explain all of the unit’s woes.
The Ravens had similar issues in 2024 and managed to turn it around with key adjustments over the second half of the season. Last week, defensive coordinator Zach Orr tried a few changes, shifting Kyle Hamilton into the slot and Marlon Humphrey to the boundary. Though the Rams certainly let the Ravens off the hook on multiple occasions, the defense as a whole did appear to take a step forward. With a slate of easier offenses after the bye, a bounce-back does not seem impossible.
Still, fans believe that general manager Eric DeCosta should be open to selling players ahead of the Week 9 trade deadline. He already sent Odafe Oweh to the Chargers, though receiving a veteran with an expiring contract in return is not exactly a seller’s move. Tight end Mark Andrews and running back Keaton Mitchell are two other names that have come up in trade talks, and the Ravens have been linked to adding defensive talent as well.
If the Ravens sell, which players should they trade, and what kind of compensation should they get in return?
