The Ravens cannot afford to trade any linebackers

I have heard the talk about the Ravens scavenging the market for a cornerback and being willing to acquire one my almost any means. Many have proposed a scenario where the team trade one of their linebackers for a starting cornerback. As desperate as the Ravens look for solid cornerback depth, they do not have alot of disposable talent at the linebacker position. 

The biggest thing lacking in the linebacker core is a complete inside linebacker to play next to Ray Lewis. The young linebackers are most effective when together. None has proven to be an all around stud. Second year player and former rookie free agent Dannell Ellerbe performed well but obviously did not wow coaches enough to be crowned starter. Jameel McClain has been getting a significant amount of reps at the position and may surprise a lot of fans with how much he brings to the table. Coach Harbaugh has praised him for his "consistency and attention to detail". T

The injury to rookie linebacker Sergio Kindle puts the Ravens in an even less comfortable position with regards to the outside linebacker depth. Of course Jarret Johnson, who was second on the team with six sacks last season will start on the left and Terrell Suggs will start on the right but who can come in and relieve them when they need a break. Only Antwan Barnes looks to be capable of applying dynamic pass rush from the spot. He has been improving his technique during the offseason and if he performs well this preseason should convince more that he is another young player on this defense worthy of being lauded. Beyond him only Jameel McClain who has focused more his attention on the inside can provide the slightest of depth behind Johnson and Suggs.

If the Ravens were to trade someone like Tavares Gooden or Antwan Barnes, young talent such as they still on the rise would be sailing off to another organization perhaps to tap the potential they truly possess. Plus they are probably seen by other teams as invaluable contributors and would not be highly enticing bait for other teams. Trading any of the older linebackers like Ray Lewis or Brendan Ayanbadejo, players who still appear valuable to the league despite their age, is very unlikely. Linebackers Jason Phillips and Prescott Burgess have accomplished nothing of significance and are more likely to be released than traded.

In all likelihood, the Ravens may just decide to bring back a Frank Walker who has played for the organization and in the defensive system. Even though he is unpopular amongst the fan base, Ozzie Newsome and Co. obviously have enough confidence in him to at least take another look at him. If Walker is signed, he and Travis Fisher, an offseason free agent signing, could be major defensive contributors this season. This would make the most sense considering the Ravens’ history of getting free agent bargains to produce way beyond their expectations.

The Ravens just cannot afford to trade away any of their linebackers right now. The team’s solid linebacker rotation would be disrupted if a talented piece of the group was traded. Do not be deceived however, the cornerback position is a blaring need thanks to injury and lack of start-worthy talent but improving it can be done without losing players in a trade.