Ravens Named 'Obvious Candidate' if Cowboys Trade Micah Parsons
After Micah Parsons publicly requested a trade from the Dallas Cowboys over the weekend due to a lack of progress on a contract extension, speculation immediately began about potential landing spots for the three-time All-Pro edge rusher.
Several pundits named the Ravens as a fit for Parsons, who is one of the most dominant defensive players in the league.
"The obvious candidates are the Bills and the Ravens," Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio wrote. "Both want to get past the Chiefs. Parsons could help make that happen."
USA Today’s Nick Brinkerhoff wrote: "Making a big swing for a game-changer on defense is the kind of move that just might take [the Ravens] over the top. The Ravens have plenty of draft picks to deal and could also subtract from their current roster to sweeten the pot."
ESPN's Adam Schefter said a trade package for Parsons, who has 52.5 sacks over four seasons, could be similar to the one the Chicago Bears put together to acquire edge rusher Khalil Mack in 2018.
ClutchPoints’ Garrett Kerman’s proposal has the Ravens landing Parsons in exchange for a 2026 first-round pick, 2027 first-round pick, 2026 second-round pick, and 2026 third-round pick.
"In the high-stakes world of NFL roster building, bold swings win championships," Kerman wrote. "The Micah Parsons contract saga in Dallas is a rare chance for a contender to acquire a generational superstar. Armed with a surplus of draft capital, the Ravens can make that bold swing — one that would send shockwaves across the league and possibly tip the balance of power in the AFC for seasons to come."
The hypothetical trade scenarios make for good copy, but it's likely that Parsons remains with Dallas. Cowboys owner and General Manager Jerry Jones’ message to Cowboys fans after Parsons' trade request was to not "lose any sleep over it."
Even if the Cowboys were to consider trading Parsons, giving up multiple high-round picks isn't General Manager Eric DeCosta's style.
Ravens' 2018 Draft Class Makes History
Ozzie Newsome had many excellent drafts during his tenure as general manager, but his final one in 2018 was possibly his best.
With defensive tackle Zach Sieler, who was taken by the Ravens in the seventh round that year, reportedly agreeing with the Miami Dolphins on a three-year contract extension worth up to $67.75 million, Baltimore's 2018 draft has generated more money in future contracts than any draft class in NFL history.
The total amount of money for that class will go up even higher when Lamar Jackson signs his next contract.
Stephen A. Smith: No Question Jackson Is Most Talented Quarterback in NFL
Speaking of Jackson, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith was unequivocal in his assessment of Jackson's place in the current quarterback hierarchy.
"The most talented quarterback in the National Football League, considering all the components that come with playing the quarterback position? There is no question that there has never been an all-around talent at the quarterback position that equals Lamar Jackson," Smith said.
Smith rattled off a bunch of Jackson's statistical superlatives from last season and specifically noted Jackson's growth as a passer.
"He had 474 [passing] attempts last year. That's the most he's ever thrown the football," Smith said. "He rushed only 8.2 percent of the time – it was really 7.5 if you didn't count kneel downs. And so, he's running less, he's throwing the football more, yet his effectiveness is still there."
Kyle Hamilton Falls Eight Spots in NFL Top 100
Half of the NFL Top 100 Players of 2025 have been revealed, and the Ravens have their first player on the list.
Safety Kyle Hamilton landed at No. 51. Inexplicably, the versatile star fell eight spots from last year's rankings.
"Hamilton recorded a 90.1 overall grade, third among safeties per Pro Football Focus, also ranking top five in each subset of pass rush, run defense and coverage grades," NFL’s Coral Smith wrote. "The Ravens made the obvious choice to pick up Hamilton's fifth-year option this offseason, and though the now two-time Pro-Bowl safety said he was not in a rush for an extension heading into Year 4, it's likely only a matter of time before he is paid commensurate with his top-notch play."
The Ravens had five players in the rankings last year: Jackson (No. 2), linebacker Roquan Smith (No. 19), Hamilton (43), running back Derrick Henry (No. 49), and defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike (No. 69).
