The Baltimore Ravens surprised a lot of people when they changed rookie quarterback Shaun Wade to the New England Patriots. In return, Baltimore received a selection from the seventh round of 2022 and a selection from the fifth round of 2023, opting to recoup compensation for a player who probably would not have been on his roster in a few weeks.
The Ravens ’decision to part with Wade had a lot to do with how many other defensive backs have increased during training camp and preseason. The rookie’s exit means these players are now more likely to qualify for Baltimore’s 53-man roster.
Below are five of the Ravens ’biggest winners after Wade’s trade.
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Changing Wade is a vote of confidence for several players, but for Westry, the play seems extremely likely to have a place on the list for the 6-foot and 4-foot corner. Westry has had a phenomenal training ground and, while he hasn’t been perfect in the Ravens ’two preseason games, he’s still done more than enough to get some serious consideration for a spot on the roster.
(Photo AP / Julio Cortez)
Washington is another big winner in Wade’s trade, as the versatile player saw his roster odds increase dramatically from the play. Washington has gained a lot of time during the preseason, especially excelling in those snapshots. He has played constantly throughout the training ground and also in games, so if his performance was somehow not enough to get him a spot on the roster at Baltimore’s extremely deep high school, the place that Wade left vacant only help to his chances.
(Photo AP / Julio Cortez)
Despite being a safety coming out of college, Warrior has been playing almost exclusively on the corner during his second training session. He has excelled in the role, as evidenced by his performance in the second week of the preseason against the Carolina Panthers. With Wade in New England, Warrior has a much easier way to get the Ravens roster, especially with the versatility he has shown.
(Photo by AP / Gail Burton)
Stone had a phenomenal performance against the New Orleans Saints in Week 1 of the preseason, with two interceptions and flew all over the field. While it was much quieter in Week 2, it has created a solid training ground and, in most other years, would form the Baltimore roster. However, with the depth of the team’s defensive back, multiple difficult decisions will have to be made. Wade was one of those decisions, which Stone predicts well, as suddenly another place on the list opens up.
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DeCosta has garnered much mixed criticism regarding his job as Wade. On the one hand, he was able to get compensation for a player who was not going to make his roster. On the other hand, Wade wasn’t given much of a chance to develop with some great coaches, as well as some of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. The rookie has high potential, but the Ravens ’talent appraisers didn’t see enough from the corner to maintain their final roster in 2021. With that decision, DeCosta did its job and recovered two assets that can be used in a multitude of ways. This makes the movement win the CEO right now, although in a few years Wade will become a star.