The Baltimore Ravens are 1-5 to start the season with little hope of salvaging the season. A number of NFL analysts have the Ravens pegged for a top draft pick which means the Ravens could consider trading some players in order to rebuild a better team in 2016. Of course with Joe Flacco at the quarterback position anything is possible for Baltimore, but if improvement does not happen could someone like Steve Smith be the first to go?
Smith told the media this is his final year in the NFL. The wide receiver has been dealing with back injuries while still having a quality season for Baltimore. With three touchdowns in five games, Smith is their best playmaker, but his stance on retirement has not changed. The veteran will end things after the year is up.
"I'm taking it one game at a time -- not really focusing on that other stuff," Smith said, via the Baltimore Sun. "I'm on schedule for what I discussed earlier in the year, and I'm enjoying it with the wins and losses. We're 1-5, so that's really what matters. At the end of the day, statistics are statistics. But at the end of the day, the record is what you really are more encouraged and proud of. Right now, we're in the deep hole and we have to dig ourselves out of it."
According to Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio, if Smith really is set on retiring then the Ravens should consider trading him before the deadline. On the season, Smith has 510 receiving yards off 36 catches. His value is high despite the injury history as he leads the team in receiving yards. With the Ravens struggling to get wins, their best move might be to start thinking of the future and dealing away at least one player of value to get draft picks in return. The wide receiver market could be very hot and the Ravens could easily benefit.
Of course trading Smith is the signal the Ravens are throwing in the towel on the year. The team will face the Arizona Cardinals on Monday night and a loss there puts their season on ice. Giving Smith to a contending team would be the best way to send him out to retirement. It would leave the Ravens thin at the receiver position. After giving up Torrey Smith, the Ravens drafted Breshad Perriman who is out with a PCL injury. Kamar Aiken and Crockett Gillmore are the next-best receiving options for the Ravens, but the drop off is steep from what Smith has been doing.
The Ravens are getting good production from their run game which has helped. Justin Forsett continues to thrive with Javorius Allen as his backup. That is the best Flacco has to work with right now. With young pieces in Maxx Williams and Perriman, the Ravens have players to build on. Dealing with Smith would help even more.