Since taking over for Ozzie Newsome in the 2019 offseason, Ravens GM Eric Decosta has made many trades to improve his team and gain value for the draft. Here’s an analyzation and grade every Eric Decosta trade.
Joe Flacco Trade
Eric Decosta’s first trade was getting rid of longtime starter Joe Flacco. He traded Flacco to the Denver Broncos for a 2019 4th round pick (Justice Hill). Eric Decosta managed to get a 4th round pick for a past his prime QB. Flacco went 2-6 for Denver before being cut in 2020.
Grade: B+
Alex Lewis Trade
Decosta’s next trade was trading Alex Lewis to the Jets for a 7th round pick. This trade was surprising but still a good move. Lewis was nothing more than a backup for the Ravens so the trade made sense. Although it wasn’t the most popular move, it was still good compensation.
Grade: B-
Kaare Vedvik Trade
Eric Decosta got a huge steal with the Kaare Vedvik trade. Vedvik shined during the 2018 and 2019 preseasons, but since the Ravens had Justin Tucker, they had no use for him. The Vikings gave up a 5th round pick for him. Kaare never panned out for Minnesota and has bounced from team to team since then. His most memorable post-Baltimore moments are his struggles with the Vikings and Jets.
Grade: A+
Jermaine Eluemunor Trade
Jermaine Eluemunor was a 2017 pick who the Ravens had high hopes for but by the 2019 preseason, it was clear he was becoming a liability. Even though he traded with Bill Belichick, Decosta still came out the winner. Although he had to give up an additional 6th round pick, it was worth it as the Patriots reached and gave up a 2020 4th.
Grade: B+
Marcus Peters Trade
Eric Decosta’s most notable trade was sending LB Kenny Young and a 5th round pick to the Rams for CB Marcus Peters. This trade was great for two reasons: first, Kenny Young was struggling all season after being called on to lead the defense. Decosta was cutting the dead weight by trading him. Two, Marcus Peters added another star to the Ravens secondary to boost their defense. Peters shined and was exactly what the Ravens needed to get back on track.
Grade: A+
Calais Campbell Trade
During the 2020 offseason, Eric Decosta traded for Calais Campbell. He gave up just a 5th round pick for Campbell too. Despite being 33, Campbell can vastly improve the Ravens interior defensive line, which was one of their big needs. Decosta got a great player and teammate for a small cost.
Grade: A+
Eric Decosta has made multiple trades, some big and some small, but he got value in all of them. Wether it was cutting dead weight for picks or finessing talent for a small price, Decosta is definitely one of the best general managers in the NFL.
Photo credit: Ravens Wire
