Edmonton Journal

Ravens pick up Ngakoue, eyeing receiver Bryant

- DON BRENNAN dbrennan@postmedia.com

Already a Super Bowl favourite, the Baltimore Ravens are beating any possible rush there might be to the trade deadline shopping counter.

And they're bulking up on both sides of the ball in the process.

Two weeks before the NFL'S deadline day, the Ravens have acquired exceptiona­l defensive end Yannick Ngakoue from the Minnesota Vikings for a 2021 third-round pick and a conditiona­l 2022 fifth-round pick. The addition makes their already strong defence immeasurab­ly stronger.

Furthermor­e, the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Thursday that Baltimore also plans to add former Dallas Cowboys star receiver Dez Bryant to its practice squad. Bryant, who turns 32 the day after the Nov. 3 trade deadline, hasn't played since 2017. He signed with the New Orleans Saints on Nov. 9, 2018, but two days later suffered a torn Achilles. However, the former first rounder out of Oklahoma State was one of most dangerous receivers in the league for a three-year span from 20112014, when he averaged 1,312 yards and 13 touchdowns.

If he makes it to the Ravens 53-man roster and is more than a shadow of his former self, his impact could be significan­t.

Why do the 5-1 Ravens, who lead the NFL in most points scored as well as fewest points per game allowed, feel the need to pad their lineup? Maybe it's because they're a Super Bowl favourite and not THE Super Bowl favourite. Most oddsmakers list them behind only the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs, who last week boosted their already potent attack by adding Le'veon Bell.

The 25-year-old Ngakoue has five sacks in six games this season and 42.5 in 69 games over his career, which for the first four seasons was with the Jacksonvil­le Jaguars.

The Ravens already have 22 team sacks, tying for second most in the league with Tampa, two behind Pittsburgh. But they'll need all the help they can get should they meet Kansas City in the AFC playoffs.

Bryant is less of a certainty, but the passing game is the Ravens' biggest weakness, despite the presence of MVP quarterbac­k Lamar Jackson, perhaps the game's best tight-end in Mark Andrews and wideout Marquise “Hollywood” Brown. Only the New York Jets have averaged fewer yards through the air.

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