Seahawks should target edge rusher Matthew Judon in a tag and trade
By Geoff Shull
Would the Ravens trade Judon to the Seahawks?
Baltimore enters the off-season with the10th lowest amount of cap space in the NFL, sitting at $26 million. They have a handful of other impact veterans that are slated to hit free agency including Tony Jefferson, Brandon Carr, Jimmy Smith, Michael Pierce, and Matt Skura. Baltimore will likely be looking to continue to build around Lamar Jackson, and the offense. Coach Harbough admitted it would be very difficult for Baltimore to retain Judon.
The defensive line market value has been exploding in recent years. Think back to Damarcus Lawrence, Frank Clark, Za’Darius Smith and Dee Ford contracts, they are all sitting above $16 million per year. Every player wants to beat the previous high.
Going into the 2018 free agency, Baltimore elected to let Za’Darius Smith leave in free agency. Smith signed a contract worth $16.5 million with the Green Bay Packers and had a career year. Baltimore could let their star defensive lineman walk again this year, however, this time via tag and trade. This would allow Baltimore to regain some assets from the player’s departure.
Last year the NFL saw two defensive ends get tagged and traded. Frank Clark was tagged by Seattle and traded to KC for a 1st and 2nd round pick. Clark was then signed to a 5-year $104 million contract. The same can be said of Dee Ford, who was tagged by KC and traded to the 49ers for a 2nd round pick. Ford was then signed to a 5-year $85.5 million contract.
Baltimore will likely see this as an opportunity to gain additional value from draft compensation. This year is very plush with wide receiver prospects. With the Ravens potentially moving to build around Lamar Jackson, it would be wise to give him some additional threats in the passing game. Asking for a high pick in this year’s draft could accomplish just that.