It is too expensive for the Baltimore Ravens to lose their upcoming game.
With a 0–3 start, their odds of qualifying for the postseason are very low, as they would still face the Cincinnati Bengals and Buffalo Bills.
They weren’t helped by the schedule writers, but they also didn’t help their cause when they let up a double-digit lead against Gardner Minshew and the Las Vegas Raiders in the closing minutes.
But there might be even more at risk in this situation.
According to former NFL player Emmanuel Acho, we may be seeing the start of Lamar Jackson’s decline or plateau.
“If the Ravens start 0-3 and you change the coaching staff again…I believe we’ve seen a peak in Lamar’s career.”
— @EmmanuelAcho pic.twitter.com/1tBREBHC31
— The Facility (@TheFacilityFS1) September 19, 2024
He brought up the fact that quarterbacks who are mobile and run have an early peak in his remarks on The Facility.
Therefore, it’s likely that we’ve already seen Jackson at his finest if the Ravens start 0-3 and later decide to switch coaches.
Even while he still thinks he can outperform players like Michael Vick, Russell Wilson, Cam Newton, Kyler Murray, and Robert Griffin III, historical data indicates that he may have already passed his prime.
In either scenario, the Ravens’ next three games must be viewed as must-win situations.
Next up are the Dallas Cowboys, who are coming off a crushing home loss to the New Orleans Saints and are hurt and ready for retribution.
Although they have lost both games by a single possession, the Ravens have performed better than their 0-2 record suggests.
But in the end, their win-loss record is all that counts, and they must drastically improve if they hope to make it back to the postseason.
Ravens Could Look to Trade for a 16-Sack Pass Rusher
This season, the Baltimore Ravens could be interested in trading for Azeez Ojulari, a 16-sack pass rusher. According to a Bleacher Report article outlining teams’ needs and shortcomings, Baltimore might strengthen their defensive front by adding Ojulari. The Giants have found the former second-round pick to be a dismal experiment, but with Kayvon Thibodeaux and Brian Burns in place, it makes sense for the organization to move on. Since Ojulari’s contract is about to expire, they should be able to move him in order to increase their draft stock if they have no other intentions for him.
New York should be encouraged to move some players rather than let them to become free agents as it appears that they will have yet another dismal season. Even before Kyle Van Noy got hurt, Ojulari may have found a place on the undermanned Ravens defense. It benefits both teams because the Giants will probably keep rebuilding and Baltimore probably won’t have to give up anything in exchange for Ojulari’s services. Given that Baltimore’s defense is already inexperienced, the 24-year-old could offer some upside in pursuing the quarterbacks.
It will be beneficial for the Ravens, who are already winless, but don’t anticipate the Giants to get anything more than a conditional draft pick. Ojulari had eight sacks and 27 QB pressures in his debut season, so obviously something was going on. It is possible that Ojulari’s time with the Giants is coming to an end because the new defensive coordinator did not draft him and does not know where to use him. His trading stock will continue to climb if he can maintain his health for the upcoming season and contribute to the Giants on a few key snaps.
Could the Ravens pursue 16-sack pass rusher Azeez Ojulari in a trade for a revitalized squad?
Unexpectedly, the Ravens are having one of their worst starts ever. It’s not a major concern, but something to keep an eye on as the season goes on—those were two suspenseful losses. The squad has relied on Odafe Oweh and David Ojabo since losing Jadeveon Clowney, but neither player has stood out. Ojulari might end up serving as the defense team’s backup, although Baltimore might want to try rotating all three. When the Ravens have a large number of pass rushers available to play a few snaps, they are at their finest.
Ojulari doesn’t need to have a stellar 2024 season because any club will likely trade for him immediately. He only needs to stay healthy. He has the ability to play elsewhere and sign a higher contract with a team in need of assistance.
Additional Possible Trade Locations
Panthers of Carolina
Many people were terrified about what the Panthers would do for the remainder of the season following Derrick Brown’s injury. Even though week three is still a ways off, it’s reasonable to say that Carolina’s season may be done even though he won’t be returning this year. Although Ojulari has the potential to temporarily revive the Panthers’ defense, Brown remains the vitality and heart of the defensive line. Although he isn’t Brown, this team needs something to win because the offense is faltering since Bryce Young is currently on the sideline.
Chargers of Los Angeles
Jim Harbaugh relishes watching an old-fashioned running game just as much as he does a real brawl. Although Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack have new contracts, their generosity in rearranging their terms won’t last long. Ojulari might play a part in Harbaugh’s scheme if Bosa or Mack were to retire, and given his youth, he might emerge as their next reliable pass rusher.
The Dallas Cowboys
Dallas’ terrible defeat to the Saints last week was mostly due to a dismal run defense, and playing the ravenous Ravens is making things harder. Although Mike Zimmer is hopeful Eric Kendricks and the rest of the pass-rushing corps bounce back, Baltimore is desperate for a victory and they will be facing one of the league’s top offenses. Although Ojulari won’t likely have a significant impact on the Cowboys’ defense, he provides superstars like Micah Parsons with emergency depth.
