The Baltimore Ravens moved up to 4-5, winning their third straight game, by defeating the Minnesota Vikings 27-19 on Sunday. While the Ravens had a relatively quiet trade deadline, it was an effective one. General manager Eric DeCosta once again proved he's one of the best in the business, even if his moves aren't always flashy.
The Ravens' main trade deadline move was trading for edge rusher Dre'Mont Jones; in doing so, they gave the Tennessee Titans a 2026 fifth-round pick. Jones made an immediate impact, recording two QB hits.
Trading Jaire Alexander to the Philadelphia Eagles was a move that was adjacent to trading for Jones, as it helped open up cap space. Alexander appeared in just two games with the Ravens and was mostly a healthy inactive. Ahead of the Eagles' Monday night game, Alexander will once again be inactive. While signing Alexander didn't pan out, DeCosta admitted his mistake and essentially turned him into a high-quality edge rusher.
Dre'Mont Jones and Alohi Gilman are key to the Ravens' success
Pass rush was a problem all season for the Ravens. However, it's started to look up in recent weeks, and Jones only helps this issue. He is a versatile edge rusher capable of playing linebacker who can line up as a classic defensive end or outside linebacker. Notably, Jones' 4.5 sacks this season rank first on the team, and he's posted an impressive 19 pressures.
Getting him for a fifth-round pick is undoubtedly one of the best value trades of the deadline. Yes, Jones is a free agent, but there's no denying that getting a high-impact edge rusher for a fifth-round pick is a massive steal. As the Ravens attempt to make a playoff push, Jones will be a crucial part of their success.
While this move happened well before the deadline, Alohi Gilman has changed the outlook of this defense since arriving in Baltimore in Week 6. Gilman has strengthened the back end of the Ravens' defense and allowed Kyle Hamilton to move closer to the line of scrimmage.
Gilman has 16 tackles since being traded to the Ravens. Furthermore, after trading for Gilman, Baltimore has yet to give up 20 or more points, something it did in all but one of its previous games. Five weeks into the season, things looked grim for the Ravens. However, DeCosta's savvy moves have been a key factor in the Ravens getting back on track.
These moves might not have made national headlines, but they undoubtedly changed the Ravens' season trajectory.