Baltimore Ravens fans largely approved of the team’s blockbuster trade for center Cam Jurgens with 75% of respondents to this week’s SB Nation Reacts grading the move at a B or higher.
Of the other 25%, only 3% graded the move as a D, and none gave it an F. Overall, the grade averaged out to a B-. Here are the full results:
Fans favored general manager Eric DeCosta’s willingness to aggressively upgrade at the Ravens’ biggest position of need, but noted Jurgens’ injury history and the steep price of a second-round
pick. Here are a few top responses:
It’s a tough one to call, but a move had to be made and even bad teams don’t like trading away offensive linemen. So I’m glad EDC was willing to go after someone. Cost was heavy, risky trade. But our window is right now and they had to take a swing. – Jt7king
The price seems high for Jurgen recent play (arguably out of position) but the Ravens are/were in a position of serious need. Center was an issue after Linderbaum left in free agency, but it’s a serious run of bad luck to lose the next three centers to injury. I’m going with a “C” because we don’t know how Jurgens will play and if he’ll stay healthy here. If he solidifies the position and plays out the year, a second rounder still feels expensive but worth it if it helps the Ravens make a playoff run. – hampstead38
Expert grades from around the NFL world varied wildly. ESPN’s Ben Solak and Matt Walder gave the Ravens a D+, criticizing DeCosta for a desperation overpay, while The Athletic’s Jeff Howe praised Jurgens’ potential short- and long-term impact.
Personally, I see this as a pristine example of a fair NFL trade. The Eagles gave up a talented player on an affordable contract in return for a solid draft pick they need with an increasingly expensive roster. The Ravens paid the market price for a proven starting offensive lineman when they badly needed one. That is just good business between two of the league’s better GMs.
Jurgens could not clear concussion protocol in time to play on Sunday, but he should be in line to make his Ravens debut next week, hopefully with Lamar Jackson back under center.
Between the Jurgens acquisition and last week’s overtime victory over the Atlanta Falcons, fan confidence has rebounded since dropping to 28% after Jackson’s ankle injury in Week 5. The Ravens won that game, but losing Jackson on top of several other key players raised concerns about an early injury crisis in Baltimore. The team is not out of the woods yet – Jackson will not play in Week 6, nor will defensive tackle Broderick Washington and rookie tight end Matthew Hibner – but they will get outside linebacker Trey Hendrickson and rookie wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane back on the field in Cleveland.
The Ravens are three-point favorites over the Browns heading into Sunday’s game with a 39.5-point over/under projecting a low-scoring game (via FanDuel Sportsbook). A win would keep them in sole possession of first place in the AFC North heading into a tough three-game stretch against the Bengals, Bills, and Jaguars.
