Instant analysis from Ravens’ trade for Bears linebacker Roquan Smith

Here’s what The Baltimore Sun sports staff had to say immediately after the Ravens’ trade for Chicago Bears linebacker Roquan Smith on Monday ahead of Tuesday’s deadline:

Jonas Shaffer, reporter: With all the uncertainty and hand-wringing over the Ravens’ wide receiver room, Eric DeCosta goes and trades for … an inside linebacker? With the importance of high-value draft capital in the not-too-distant future where Lamar Jackson’s on a megadeal, the Ravens reportedly part with … a second-round pick? Surprising and surprising. Roquan Smith fits the Ravens’ prototype at inside linebacker: fast, physical, blue-chip athletic pedigree. But for the trade to be worthwhile, he has to add value on passing downs — not only as a blitzer, but in pass coverage, too.

Childs Walker, reporter: The Roquan Smith deal is more of a mixed bag than it might appear on the surface. Smith is a prolific playmaker as both a run-stopper and blitzer who will raise the overall talent level of the Ravens defense. He will cover ample ground and shore up their tackling inconsistencies. But he shares some of Patrick Queen’s difficulties in coverage, at least if we’re to believe his Pro Football Focus grades. And the Ravens gave up significant draft capital for a star at a non-premium position. It raises interesting long-term questions. Will they sign Smith to an extension and decline to pick up Queen’s fifth-year option? Or will they see Smith as a high-end rental and gladly take a third-round pick as compensation for letting him walk in the offseason?

More immediately, will they find snaps for veteran Josh Bynes, who does not play special teams and presumably won’t have much of a role with Smith and Queen on the field? Will first-round pick Kyle Hamilton, who has made some notable plays in the box, also lose snaps to Smith? Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta hit a home run with his midseason deal for Marcus Peters in 2019. The team’s 2020 trade for edge rusher Yannick Ngakoue did not pay off. DeCosta is taking another win-now swing in 2022.

Ryan McFadden, reporter: This is a huge win for the Ravens. Patrick Queen has played well over the past three games, and pairing him with Smith gives the Ravens one of the best inside linebacker duos in the league. Smith makes the Ravens’ defense much more dangerous, especially with outside linebackers Tyus Bowser and David Ojabo returning from injury.

However, I’m curious to see if the Ravens make another move. With Rashod Bateman expected to miss a few weeks and tight end Mark Andrews dealing with a shoulder injury, it would be wise for the Ravens to give Lamar Jackson another weapon on offense.

C.J. Doon, editor: A linebacker didn’t seem particularly high on the Ravens’ wish list given how much Patrick Queen has improved this season, but the injury to reliable veteran Josh Bynes revealed the lack of depth at the position. A.J. Klein and Kristian Welch just won’t cut it for a team that has Super Bowl aspirations. In that sense, I understand this deal. Smith is the NFL’s leading tackler, still just 25 years old and a former top-10 draft pick, so the appeal is obvious. I’d quibble with the price, however. Giving up a second- and fifth-round selection for an inside linebacker in the final year of his rookie deal who reportedly wants to be among the highest-paid players at his position feels a little too risky, especially with quarterback Lamar Jackson still needing a new contract. Is this really going to elevate the Ravens over the Bills and Chiefs in the AFC? Now that Rashod Bateman is expected to miss several weeks, I’d have used that capital to try and get a wide receiver like Jerry Jeudy, Elijah Moore or Brandin Cooks.

Tim Schwartz, editor: Now this is a blockbuster. The Ravens probably looked around the rest of the AFC and figured they can compete with the best of ‘em with this move, but if they’re trading valuable draft capital — reportedly second- and fifth-round picks — why not at wide receiver, where there is an obvious need? Top wide receiver Rashod Bateman is out for a few weeks after aggravating his foot injury, and the offense could use another weapon. If they’re moving all their chips to the middle of the table, the Ravens might as well use trade a late-round pick and take a flyer on one of the league’s many disgruntled wideouts.

Still, this is a huge move that immediately makes better the Ravens defense, which has been steadily improving over the last few weeks but had some glaring depth issues. But what about inside linebacker Patrick Queen? How the two linebackers complement each other will be interesting to watch. With linebackers David Ojabo and Tyus Bowser nearing a return, this Ravens defense could be one of the best in the NFL if the secondary holds up its end of the bargain.

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