BALTIMORE – As silly as it may sound, Baltimore wasted little time in making a quarterback move and giving life to the team’s quest for the playoffs.
After reports confirmed that Jacoby Brissett asked the Arizona Cardinals (3-5) for a trade, he was demoted to the team’s emergency quarterback role before ultimately being dealt cross-country to Baltimore (4-4).
The move clarifies the severity of the injuries to both starting quarterback Lamar Jackson and backup option Tyler Huntley. It also clarifies that the Ravens, who are one game out of a playoff spot despite being .500, are not ready to throw in the towel.
Baltimore Quarterback Injuries
Jackson, who left Baltimore’s Week 4 win against the Titans with an ankle injury, missed the ensuing three games, only to be injured on the first play in Week 8 against Buffalo.
Huntley, who came in for him, was tackled awkwardly, which also knocked him out of the contest. X-rays later determined the foot injury to be turf toe, landing Huntley on season-ending injured reserve, the Ravens announced on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the thumb injury to Jackson requiring surgery and the subsequent move for Brissett, may also mean the starter is heading to a longer stint on IR.
What Do the Ravens Get with Brissett?
A league-caliber veteran starter, first and foremost.
Brissett started the last 20 games for the Cardinals and was no stranger to pass attempts and yardage.
The 33-year-old is averaging 38 passes per game, with his most coming in Week 3 against San Francisco (52). Of those eight games, he has a completion percentage of 73% or higher twice and 60% or above in four other games.
Where it gets fuzzy is the touchdown-to-interception ratio: 11-7. But the silver lining? He has thrown 86 more touchdowns than any other healthy quarterback on Baltimore’s roster (CBSSports).
The offensive line will still be a problem for whoever is under center, however.
Baltimore currently has the No. 21 offensive line in the league. Besides injuries and offseason departures, it mostly struggles with pass protection inconsistencies and a unit who has chemistry together.
Thankfully, while Brissett isn’t extremely mobile, he does find success in pocket readings and has done so under pressure time and time again in Arizona.
What Other Notable Ravens Fantasy Players Get Boost with Trade?
Mark Andrews
You should be excited again about Mark Andrews.
Through Week 8, Brissett threw for more than 75 yards per game to Trey McBride, the most by a QB-TE duo since 1970 (CBSSports).
Andrews, who hasn’t been better even with the departure of Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar, has topped out at 49 yards this season. He also has just one touchdown this season, coming against one of the worst teams in the league, Tennessee.
But Baltimore’s pass attempts per game are about to increase. Maybe even by double digits.
Andrews is quietly the second-most targeted receiving option behind Zay Flowers. His options in the passing game will expand to more than short field and slot now.
Derrick Henry
If you’re like me and ready to deal Derrick Henry, slow your roll.
Sure, the concerns about the offensive line remain, but Brissett currently gives the Ravens the best chance to put together meaningful drives and the ability to keep defenses honest.
While it will be predictable that Baltimore will want to lean on Henry to help Brissett, the honest defense must from opponents still keeps his playbook fairly open.
Henry started the year with six touchdowns in three games, but has just one in weeks 5-8. Brissett’s addition will get him closer to early-season looks and work.
What Other Notable Ravens Fantasy Players Get Downgraded with Trade?
Zay Flowers
Unfortunately, fantasy players saw firsthand that Michael Wilson with Brissett in Arizona as the top option didn’t work.
Brissett and Wilson did not have a 100-yard game together this season. While the targets were there, the production was not. Wilson also only had one touchdown with Brissett this season, compared to the onslaught of six in their final five games last season.
Flowers has had spurts of big games this season, including opening the year with 150 yards and a touchdown. But aside from 137 yards and a touchdown in Week 7, when Flowers has been the game plan he has as many as 66 yards and as little as zero.
Baltimore said Brissett’s trade will likely be finalized by the end of the weekend, giving him the chance to first start in Week 10 during the Harbaugh Bowl on Monday Night Football.
