Whether with the flashy picks or dramatic moments, the draft night tends to grab most of the headlines. But in Lamar Jackson‘s Baltimore, the quieter, behind-the-scenes moves are leaving a solid impact. Just ask Eric DeCosta! This week, the Ravens’ GM stood at the microphone and reminded everyone that not every move is made under the draft night spotlight. Some of the biggest deals tend to be quiet and strategic, calculated with precision.
On Tuesday, addressing the question of unpredictability in the draft, DeCosta remarked, “I don’t think we’ve traded many of our own players. I don’t know. Have we ever made a trade during the draft where we traded one of our players?” Then came the eyebrow-raiser as DeCosta shed light on a move that was years ahead of its time. It is none other than the Hollywood Brown trade in 2022.
In 2022, the Ravens traded WR Marquise “Hollywood” Brown to the Arizona Cardinals. While they announced it live on draft night, they sealed the deal days before. Tucked away and zipped shut. “That wasn’t during the draft… I did that on Monday, actually, on the Monday of the draft… that was strategic,” he admitted.
INGLEWOOD, CA – NOVEMBER 26: Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson 8 reacts to an incomplete pass during the NFL, American Football Herren, USA regular season game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Los Angeles Chargers on November 26, 2023, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire NFL: NOV 26 Ravens at Chargers EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon231126003
“We didn’t wanna announce it beforehand, just in case, because then the team might think we would want a receiver. I don’t think we’ve ever traded one of our players,” he added. That’s strange. He remains unsure if any trades during the draft involved any of their players.
Baltimore flipped Brown for a first-round pick, using the capital to get Tyler Linderbaum, one of the best center prospects in the country. In the NFL, there’s no tighter on-field relationship than quarterback and center.
So, Linderbaum wasn’t just a pick, he was the need of the hour. For Lamar Jackson, a mobile and dynamic QB, having a reliable center like Linderbaum was required for better protection and more freedom when playing. Well, flipping Brown for a first-round pick was nonetheless a savvy asset management move. And DeCosta managed to keep it under wraps till the draft night. However, as of 2025, the situation seems quite tense.
Uncertain future for Hamilton and Linderbaum regarding fifth-year option
Kyle Hamilton and Tyler Linderbaum, who belong to the same draft class and are two-time Pro Bowlers, are indeed the Ravens’ biggest assets. Yet, the team’s silence on their fifth-year options has sparked speculation. While Hamilton’s 2026 tag is $18.6 million, Linderbaum’s tag remains at $23.4 million.
DeCosta’s playing it close to the vest. “No update,” he told reporters. The decision deadline is May 2, 2025, giving the Ravens time to evaluate. While Hamilton’s deal looks like a bargain, given his status as one of the league’s top safeties, Linderbaum’s projected cost exceeds that of the highest-paid center—making his case more complex.
Whatever happens with Tyler Linderbaum and Hamilton, DeCosta might select a cornerback with one of his 11 draft picks. Don’t be surprised. As he noted, the corner is a high-attrition position that always needs restocking. “It’s always a big need. Every single year.” And that’s not just a Ravens issue: “You could ask 31 other teams—they’d all say the same thing. Corner is a critical, important position.”
Still, if DeCosta quietly made a move for a wide receiver last time, only to pivot and protect Lamar with an All-American center, fans believe he could pull off another savvy move this year.
The Ravens rarely say much publicly—and that’s telling. When they make a move, it usually has a purpose. As Eric DeCosta himself put it: “With the draft, you just never know.” So, let’s see how it unfolds.
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