The Baltimore Ravens Just Made a Bold Move to Revive Their Pass Rush—But Will It Be Enough?
In a surprising mid-season shake-up, the Baltimore Ravens have secured outside linebacker Dre’Mont Jones from the Tennessee Titans in exchange for a conditional fifth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, pending a physical. This strategic acquisition comes as the Ravens desperately seek to strengthen their pass rush, which has been a glaring weakness this season. But here’s where it gets controversial: Is trading for a 28-year-old linebacker with a one-year contract the long-term solution Baltimore needs, or just a quick fix for a deeper problem?
Jones, a seven-year veteran, is having a standout season with 4.5 sacks, nine quarterback hits, and 19 quarterback pressures in just nine games. To put that in perspective, his pressure count is seven more than the Ravens’ current leader in that category, nose tackle Travis Jones. And this is the part most people miss: Jones’ versatility as both an edge rusher and an interior lineman could be a game-changer for a defense that’s struggled to pressure quarterbacks since Nnamdi Madubuike’s season-ending injury.
Coming off one of his best performances—1.5 sacks, four tackles, and eight quarterback pressures in the Titans’ loss to the Chargers—Jones brings immediate impact potential. Drafted in the third round by the Denver Broncos in 2019, he’s amassed 35 career sacks, averaging just over five per season in his first six years. After signing a one-year, $8.5 million deal with the Titans in March, Jones is now poised to make a significant splash in Baltimore.
What makes Jones particularly intriguing is his positional adaptability. Originally an interior defensive lineman, he transitioned to the edge midway through 2023 and shed weight ahead of the 2024 season to better fit as an edge rusher in Mike Macdonald’s Seattle defense. This hybrid skill set could be a lifeline for the Ravens, who’ve been forced to blitz excessively in recent weeks just to generate pressure.
The move comes at a critical time for Baltimore. After trading outside linebacker Odafe Oweh to the Chargers last month and losing Tavius Robinson to a foot fracture, the Ravens have been stretched thin at the position, dressing only three natural outside linebackers in their last two games. While their defense has stabilized in recent weeks, their pass rush remains one of the league’s weakest, with just 11 sacks in eight games—second only to the Jacksonville Jaguars (10).
Jones joins an edge group that includes veteran Kyle Van Noy, rookie Mike Green, and fourth-year pro David Ojabo. The Ravens also recently added veteran Carl Lawson to their practice squad, with coach John Harbaugh hinting he could debut as early as Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings. But here’s the question: With the trade deadline looming, is this enough to turn the Ravens’ season around, or do they need to make another move to address their trench issues?
The fifth-round pick sent to Tennessee was acquired from the New York Jets during the 2025 draft, and Baltimore could still have up to three additional fifth-round picks in April, including potential compensatory selections. This suggests the Ravens may not be done dealing, especially if they’re eyeing an interior defensive lineman or offensive guard to shore up their front lines.
Thought-provoking question for you: Is Dre’Mont Jones the missing piece the Ravens need to contend this season, or is this trade a band-aid solution for deeper roster issues? Let us know in the comments—we want to hear your take!
