Breaking: Ravens Closing In On Deal To Sign $18 Million All-Pro Edge-Rusher In Stunning Trade Proposal
Eric DeCosta brought Kyle Van Noy back, but the Baltimore Ravens still need help in the pass-rush department. Help familiar face Matthew Judon could provide as part of a bargain trade scenario that would only cost general manager DeCosta a “late-round pick” in the 2024 NFL draft.
According to Marcus Mosher of Pro Football Focus, 31-year-old Judon might fetch a moderate value if traded by the New England Patriots during the draft. Mosher cited Judon’s season-ending torn biceps injury, stating that the veteran “played only 184 snaps last season after being injured in Week 4.” Regardless of his age, he remains one of the NFL’s finest pass rushers. He’ll be 32 in August, but he might still help clubs in need of pass rushers.
Judon may attract a slew of trade offers because Mosher believes the “overall depth of the class isn’t ideal” in terms of rookie edge-rushers. That implies the “Baltimore Ravens, Los Angeles Rams, and New Orleans Saints may all be interested in Judon for a late-round pick.” Don’t be surprised if the Patriots try to ‘do right’ by Judon by putting him in a winning environment right soon.”
The Ravens qualify as a club that can “win right away.” Judon would feel completely at home returning to the site where he honed his skills and played some of his best football.
Matthew Judon Would Be Typical Veteran Steal for Ravens
DeCosta and the Ravens understand how to identify bargains in the veteran market. Last offseason, they signed Jadeveon Clowney to a cheap one-year contract.
Clowney recorded 9.5 sacks and nine tackles for loss before joining the Carolina Panthers in free agency. Judon can serve as a comparable alternative for Clowney.
Judon, drafted in the fifth round by the Ravens in 2016, improved his pass-rush game after signing with the Patriots. Judon recorded 12.5 sacks in 2021 and 15.5 more QB takedowns the following year.
Prior to his injury last season, he recorded 11 pressures, two hurries, five quarterback knockdowns, and four sacks. Including this safety against Zach Wilson and the New York Jets in week 3.
When Judon is healthy, he can put heat on the pocket just like anyone else. DeCosta can afford to forsake late-round draft money in order to bring Judon back to M&T Bank Stadium and reunite him alongside Van Noy, restoring the experienced twin act that worked so brilliantly last season.
Trade a Smart Move for Ravens
Re-signing Although Van Noy was an excellent choice, there is still a need for a more experienced pass-rusher. Last season, the Ravens led the NFL with 60 sacks thanks to the advanced pressure strategies led by Van Noy and Clowney.
Judon brings the same versatility and acumen to the field as Van Noy, so he’d fit in with a scheme that should remain unchanged, despite Zach Orr taking over as defensive coordinator from Mike Macdonald. Combining Judon and Van Noy would reduce the need on Odafe Oweh and David Ojabo to lead Baltimore’s pass rush.
Giving up a late-round pick to put Judon in the mix for Orr would be easy to rationalize. The Patriots, who retained promising edge defenders Josh Uche and Anfernee Jennings in free agency, should find it simple to accept a late-round draft pick as compensation.
DeCosta has the ammunition to make this deal happen. A fifth-round pick, one in the sixth, and two in the seventh round.
Any one of those, or perhaps both sevens, should be enough to assist the Ravens figure out what Judon has left.
