NFL Trade Grades: Ravens shore up defense with Roquan Smith deal

The Baltimore Ravens have traded for Bears linebacker Roquan Smith to shore up the middle of their defense and we’re grading the trade for both teams.

This is turning out to be one of the most blockbuster-filled NFL Trade Deadlines that we’ve ever seen and the Chicago Bears and Baltimore Ravens gave us another star-studded deal on Monday. As first reported by FOX Sports’ Jay Glazer, linebacker Roquan Smith is heading to Baltimore in a trade.

Chicago has been active sellers ahead of the trade deadline as this move was their second headliner trade. The Bears also recently sent pass-rusher Robert Quinn to the Philadelphia Eagles in a deal as well.

Meanwhile, the Ravens are currently in first place in the AFC North standings but is making an aggressive move to try and solidify their spot as a contender.

Roquan Smith trade details: Ravens send Bears two draft picks

Here’s a look at how the deal breaks down as ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the details on what Baltimore was sending Chicago in return.

That now gives the Bears three draft picks that they’ve acquired ahead of the trade deadline after they also sent Robert Quinn to Philadelphia for a fourth-round pick.

But how did both teams fare in this trade? Let’s hand out a grade to each organization to determine exactly that.

Ravens Roquan Smith trade grade: Baltimore takes big, smart swing

Not all that long ago in 2020, the Ravens used a first-round pick on linebacker Patrick Queen in hopes that the LSU product could solidify the stand-up linebacker spot for the defense. While there have been flashes, that has not totally come to fruition and the position has remained a bit of a problem for this team.

Smith immediately changes the calculus on that. Baltimore isn’t just getting an All-Pro caliber player to fill that void but they are adding him to the equation with Queen, which could allow both players to ultimately be at their best. And this could undoubtedly help the team achieve new heights on that side of the ball.

It’s undoubtedly a win for the Ravens to get a player of this caliber. In terms of a grade, though, the truth of the matter is that they do get docked for what they gave up given that Smith is a free agent after this season and the fact that they were somewhat forced into this move by missing a bit on a first-rounder in Queen.

Ravens Grade: B+

Bears Roquan Smith trade grade: Chicago gets good return for pending free agent

Despite the fact that we’ve finally started to see Justin Fields showcase his potential over the past few games, the fact of the matter is that the Bears are not a team that’s going to be contending anytime soon with their current roster. As such, it would’ve been somewhat unwise for a team that has salary cap troubles to invest so heavily in an off-ball linebacker, even one as talented as Smith, this offseason.

Thus, it feels right to say that Smith would almost surely be gone from Chicago after this season as they could be starting to tear it down to the studs. And now the Bears are taking steps to further that process to build around Fields in a new regime.

Getting a Top 64 pick and another Day 3 pick is exactly what Chicago needs moving forward. They need as many darts as possible to throw at the board to try and simply get more talent in the building and find more answers for more positions moving forward. It might not be popular, but this is a win for the future of the Bears.

Bears Grade: A-