Ravens Star Named Surprise Trade Deadline Winner

The Baltimore Ravens' defense has commanded more attention than any other positional department on the once-contending roster in the weeks leading up to the trade deadline, even if recent games have finally provided brief flashes of optimism.

Their current 3-5 record looked a lot shadier in the week leading into the bye week, when they had two fewer wins and considerably worsened hopes at escaping the regular season. Recent strides have re-awaked any inspiration that this season is worth holding onto and working off of, though, and it showed in Baltimore's final moves before the midseason trading window closed.

They brought in Dre'Mont Jones mere hours before the deadline as some much-needed starting help along the edge, an experienced contributor who's playing strong-enough football to ease the responsibilities of the currently-overtasked pass-rushers. They'd traded Odafe Oweh a month prior, and had yet to replace his presence as an additional pressure-applier until this potentially-pivotal trade.

The safety they brought in in exchange for Oweh, Alohi Gilman, has already provided some much-needed playmaking to the middle of the field, and yet another edge makes life that much easier for Kyle Hamilton, the quarterback of the defense.

How is Hamilton Influenced By Recent Moves?

The star safety had the room to move closer to the line after Gilman's entry, where he had a greater chance at making plays from point-blank range, and he's now considered one of the winners of the trade deadline now that his team's approach has been revealed and executed.