The Ravens have traded starting defensive lineman Timmy Jernigan to Philadelphia in a swap of third-round picks in the 2017 draft.
Baltimore sends the 24-year-old and the 99th overall pick in the 2017 draft — a compensatory selection — to Philadelphia for the 74th selection in this month’s draft. The move comes just a week after head coach John Harbaugh didn’t refute a report that Jernigan had been the subject of trade discussions last month.
Despite the likelihood of Jernigan departing via free agency next year after nose tackle Brandon Williams was signed to a long-term extension, the Ravens will still part with a year of his production to be able to move up 25 spots in the third round. According to the draft trade chart often cited as the framework for many draft deals, the difference between the 74th pick and the 99th pick is worth 116 points, which is worth the equivalent of the 96th overall pick in the draft. In other words, instead of betting on Jernigan being motivated to have a monster 2017 season in a contract year — and then netting an attractive compensatory pick in 2019 — the Ravens immediately come away with value comparable to a late third- or early fourth-round pick.
Jernigan recorded a career-high five sacks in 2016, but his play declined in the second half of the season as he managed just one sack over the final nine contests and had one tackle over the final four games combined. He had been regarded as the Ravens’ best interior pass rusher over the last two seasons.
“Timmy has been a terrific player for us for three seasons,” general manager Ozzie Newsome said in an official statement. “This will allow our young group of defensive linemen an opportunity to compete and play.”
That young group includes Michael Pierce, 2015 third-round pick Carl Davis, 2016 third-round choice Bronson Kaufusi, and 2016 fourth-round selection Willie Henry. The surprising Pierce took away some of Jernigan’s snaps as last season progressed, but none of the latter three appeared in a game last season due to injuries.
Jernigan becomes the second starting defensive lineman to depart this offseason after 5-technique defensive end Lawrence Guy signed with the New England Patriots last month. The 2014 second-round pick from Florida State collected a total of 13 sacks in 43 career games with the Ravens.
