Lamar Jackson’s team added Derrick Henry and went backward. 2025 must net an improvement to have any hope going forward.
Lamar Jackson is probably still kicking himself. His Baltimore Ravens made one of the splash plays of the offseason with Derrick Henry. As a result, the team took a step back. At least in the 2023-24 playoffs, they lost at the hands of the Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs.
This time, they lost to Josh Allen before his annual stumble to the Super Bowl losers. Not only that but the team that won the Super Bowl did so largely on the back of running back Saquon Barkley. Either Jackson must be thinking that they were a running back choice away from winning the Super Bowl or he is pointing the finger at himself. Either way, Jackson is frustrated.
Having lost the MVP vote as well as the MVP Bowl to Josh Allen, some might be pointing the finger at Jackson for him. With more ammunition clearly needed, here’s a look at three players the Baltimore Ravens need to entice another team to part with.
#1 – Jaire Alexander, CB, Green Bay Packers
It might not take much enticing for the Packers thanks to apparent frustrations with Jaire Alexander, according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN. Alexander, the team’s franchise cornerback, has been battling injury troubles in three of the last four seasons. However, he still has been present for close to half of the 34 games over that span.
With the Ravens’ pass defense struggling in 2024 near the bottom of the pack, bolstering the secondary is a must. If Alexander can be present for at least 16 games like he was in 2022, turnovers could be on the menu (he logged five interceptions that season).
#2 – Deebo Samuel, WR, San Francisco 49ers
Deebo Samuel has made noise and it isn’t even March yet. However, the Ravens could use an element of mystery to their offense. Thus far, the Ravens haven’t been afraid to ram the ball down the throat of defenses. Adding Samuel’s dual skill-set adds an element of mystery.
Imagine going from Jack Bauer or Jason Bourne to James Bond. That’s what adding Samuel could do for the Ravens offense overnight. Samuel logged 12 total touchdowns and more than 1000 yards in 2023.
#3 – Aidan O’Connell, QB, Las Vegas Raiders
There are no guarantees that Lamar Jackson will stay healthy next season. He’s failed to finish seasons before and if the defense doesn’t improve, one injury to the quarterback could tank the offense and the chances at a number one seed. Currently, the team has Josh Johnson signed.
However, adding a somewhat untested backup quarterback to the mix with a history of the occasional blowout victory couldn’t hurt. Jackson’s absences have cost the Ravens late in the season in the past. Adding an upgrade at backup quarterback can’t hurt.
