Lamar Jackson Trade for Trey Lance: Ravens & Niners Proposal via ESPN
We feel like we are mandated to mention the following disclaimer every single time we write about the facts and/or fantasy about the future of Lamar Jackson, so here goes:
The smartest solution, and ultimately the easiest one, is for the Baltimore Ravens and their unsigned QB to fix this.
As GM Eric DeCosta said on Thursday at the Odell Beckham Jr. press conference ...
Beckham is the right player "to take us to the next level.''
And Jackson? "He's the right player for this team,'' the GM said.
Now, having gotten that off our chest ...
ESPN's Bill Barnwell recently ranked the best NFL fits in trade for Jackson. And it is the stuff, we think, of fantasy. ... with an addendum here: Most "fantasies'' are supposed to be pleasant.
This fantasy proposal is a Ravens nightmare.
Barnwell is very proud of his idea from the perspective of the San Francisco 49ers, and he should be: The 49ers here would be adding to a championship-level roster already featuring offensive superstars Deebo Samuel and Christian McCaffrey.
Deebo. McCaffrey. And Lamar? Wow!
So, in this scenario the Ravens beg out of paying Lamar to instead send him into the system of 49ers coach (and QB guru) Kyle Shanahan (again, wow!). And what does Baltimore get?
Those two first-round picks that are part of the tag, right?
Nope.
In fact, the Ravens don't even get one 2023 first-rounder because the Niners don't have one.
OK, would San Francisco include a 2023 second-rounder?
Nope. The Niners don't have one of those, either.
Right from the jump, those factoids alone makes this an exercise in silliness, but we will plow on.
What might a trade package look like in Barnwell's imagination?
"These two teams would have to get creative,'' he writes. "What about Trey Lance, Brandon Aiyuk and a 2024 first-round pick to the Ravens for Jackson and a 2024 fourth-round selection?''
Oh, that's creative, alright. Why is Baltimore tossing in a fourth-round pick? Just to prop a cherry on top of "stupid''?
Lance, 22, has started just four NFL games, is coming off an injury and as the former No. 3 overall pick, is teetering toward "bust.''
Barnwell is right about one thing, as he writes, "The 49ers are a dream for any quarterback, given Shanahan's game-calling ability and the variety of playmakers available. Jackson would slide right into the offense ... This would be an easy 'yes."
Correct. For San Francisco.
And for Baltimore? It'd be an easy "Are you out of your minds!?''
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