Ravens trade rookie CB Shaun Wade to the Patriots for two draft picks

The Baltimore Ravens have traded rookie cornerback Shaun Wade to the New England Patriots in exchange for two draft picks. The return compensation includes a seventh-round pick in 2022 and a fifth-round selection in 2023.

The former Ohio State Buckeye is the first player traded by Baltimore since the start of the 2021 training camp. While it’s rare for a team to cut ties this early, Ravens General Manager Eric DeCosta must’ve seen the opportunity to gain from Wade in lieu of releasing him with no return compensation. The Ravens essentially traded their 2021 fifth-round pick for a new fifth-round pick in 2023, and a little added value with the seventh-round selection in the 2022 NFL draft.

With emerging secondary depth like safeties Ar’Darius Washington, Brandon Stephens, Nigel Warrior and Geno Stone, there simply wasn’t room for Wade, who the Ravens clearly viewed as last on the totem pole. It also appeared as though cornerback Chris Westry had surpassed him on the depth chart.

This provides insight and clarity into how the Ravens feel about their other young DB’s ahead of next week’s roster cut downs, slated for Tuesday by 4 p.m. EST.