One trade, cut, signing Baltimore Ravens should make

The Ravens are coming off a season where they boasted the NFL's best record (13-4) and came up just seven points short in the AFC Championship game. If the team hopes to finally get over the hump in 2024, it must make a couple of splash moves this offseason.

With that in mind, here are a trade, cut and signing that Baltimore should make in the coming months. 

TRADE: 2024 first-round pick (No. 30) for San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk

Aiyuk is set to play on his fifth-year option with the 49ers in 2024. But he is due for a contract extension and seems unsure San Francisco is willing to give one to him since it is already paying WR Deebo Samuel almost $24 million per season.

In a perfect world, the 49ers would extend the 25-year-old, who is coming off his best season yet where he posted 75 catches for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns. But if they are unable, the Ravens should be happy to deal his likely first-round pick asking price.

Baltimore's leading receiver in 2023 was rookie WR Zay Flowers (858 yards) and the team's second-leading receiver, Odell Beckham Jr. (565 yards), is a free agent. Pairing Aiyuk with Flowers would give the Ravens one of the best wide receiver duos in the league for years to come.

CUT: Linebacker Tyus Bowser

Bowser, a second-round pick in 2017, has been a reliable piece on the Ravens defense for years. But his time in Baltimore may be coming to an end after an underwhelming 13-tackle and two-sack season that was hampered by a knee injury.

If Baltimore were to part ways with the soon-to-be 29-year-old, it would save $5.5M in cap space while taking a $2M dead cap hit. That may prove to be enough money to re-sign the player below as the Ravens only have about $13.65M in cap space heading into 2024, per Pro Football Focus.

SIGNING: Defensive tackle Justin Madubuike

Madubuike is coming off a breakout season where he had a career-high 56 tackles, 13 sacks and two forced fumbles. It comes at the perfect time for the 26-year-old who's about to hit the open market but at the worst time for Baltimore.

If the Ravens make enough moves to clear up some cap space, they'll be able to re-sign him. But it will prove costly to do so as Madubuike is expected to receive a four-year, $81.28M contract ($20.3M per year) this offseason, per Spotrac.

Baltimore loves to draft and develop its talent. Madubuike, a third-round pick by the team in 2020, certainly fits the bill and will likely be at the top of its list as a result.