An injury to Zay Flowers exposed the Baltimore Ravens’ offensive struggles against the Buffalo Bills. Ultimately, it led to their downfall as the season ended heartbreakingly in the Division Round for Lamar Jackson & Co. The team has been working hard to find upgrades all over the roster.
However, with mandatory mini-camps about to begin, a few spots on the squad could still use some improvement. For one analyst, that means being aggressive and pursuing a trade to bolster the cornerback position.
Baltimore Ravens Making High-Risk, High-Reward Play?
A slow start saw an almighty swing in the right direction after John Harbaugh shifted Kyle Hamilton back to his preferred position. As a result, for the season, the team finished in the top 10 of PFSN’s Defense+ metric.
However, they ranked 31st in pass yards allowed, indicating a hole in their secondary. Throughout the offseason, the front office has prioritized the secondary. Aside from Nate Wiggins being available for the entire year, they also have a superstar rookie in Malaki Starks.
Add in the veteran addition of Chidobe Awuzie, and the beginnings of a solid secondary are already ready. But the loss of Ar’Darius Washington to a torn Achilles has Brandon Austin of PFSN believing that Baltimore needs to target Jaire Alexander.
“While Jaire Alexander doesn’t play the same spot, he brings depth and versatility to a group that already includes Marlon Humphrey and Kyle Hamilton.” A seven-year veteran, Alexander has been incredibly productive when on the field.
In his two fully healthy years, he made the Pro Bowl and All-Pro teams both times. However, his injury concerns have made him a question mark for Green Bay, leading to speculation about a trade all summer.
“The Green Bay Packers have reportedly been open to moving Alexander, though the draft came and went without a deal,” Austin revealed, before adding, “he reportedly wants to be cut to pick his destination, but a trade is still possible.”
The Top 10 CBs in the NFL, per @JohnKosko3 pic.twitter.com/ijxXsbcinG
— PFF (@PFF) June 3, 2025
But the Ravens must consider two potential speed bumps with the veteran corner. First, he’s missed at least 10 games in three of the past four seasons. The other, a bigger problem for a team already shedding upwards of $50 million to its quarterback, is the contract.
Given his injury risk, a price tag of $17.5 million next season might be too much for Baltimore to overcome. But, if they want to take a swing and finally get over the playoff hump under Lamar Jackson, then a risky play is necessary.
Alexander, if healthy, is worth every penny of his contract and brings a familiar face for Jackson, as the two were teammates in Louisville. And for a Ravens team that has been knocking on the doorstep for nearly half a decade now, the gamble might be worth it.