The Greatest Trade For Every NFL Team In History

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Oct 11, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) throws during the first quarter against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

Baltimore Ravens: The Joe Flacco trade

Things couldn’t be feeling much lower for the Baltimore Ravens by the start of 2008. They’d seen a 13-3 record in 2006 squandered in a home playoff loss where they managed just six points. A year later they went 5-11 and the quarterback position was a mess. So by that season it was clear a reboot was need on offense if they were to get things going again. GM Ozzie Newsome and his staff had eyes for Delaware quarterback Joe Flacco but there was concern (namely from team ownership) that he wouldn’t be there when the team picked at #26 in the 1st round. So they swung a deal to move up using 3rd and 6th round picks to secure the #18 selection.

Though his numbers weren’t pretty at the start, it was clear Flacco had talents that fit what they wanted to do. He was big, more mobile than advertised and had the big arm to push the ball down the field when required. Baltimore made the playoffs his first five seasons under center and brought it to a climax in 2012 when Flacco threw 17 touchdowns without an interception to help them capture their second Super Bowl title in franchise history.

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