The last trade of the 2026 NFL trade deadline came right at the buzzer, and it was a surprise. The Baltimore Ravens acquired center Ryan Neuzil from the Atlanta Falcons for guard Andrew Vorhees and a 2028 sixth-round pick, ESPN’s Adam Schefter and The Athletic’s Jonathan Jones reported Tuesday. NFL insider Jordan Schultz was first to report Neuzil was on the move.
The Ravens confirmed the deal, saying they sent Vorhees and undisclosed draft compensation to Atlanta.
Trade details
Ravens get: C Ryan Neuzil
Falcons get: G Andrew Vorhees, a 2028 sixth-round pick
Why the trade raised eyebrows
Baltimore already traded for a center earlier this season, landing Cam Jurgens from the Philadelphia Eagles. That’s why the Sporting News called the Neuzil move a strange one. The Ravens are spending a pick and a young lineman on a player whose contract runs out after this season.
There is a possible explanation. Neuzil has guard experience. He started 44 straight games at left guard at Appalachian State, Athlon noted, and he earned All-American honors there as a guard, per Heavy. Athlon pointed out that Baltimore’s left guard play has been poor this season, so Neuzil could slide over and give the Ravens a better option next to Jurgens.
The Ravens haven’t explained their plan yet.
Who is Ryan Neuzil?
Neuzil, 29, has taken the long road. He went undrafted out of Appalachian State in 2021, was waived out of training camp and spent time on Atlanta’s practice squad before earning a spot, according to NFL Trade Rumors.
He became a full-time starter for the Falcons and has made nine starts at center this season. Atlanta re-signed him to a two-year, $9.5 million deal with $6.25 million guaranteed, NBC Sports reported.
Who is Andrew Vorhees?
Vorhees, 27, was a seventh-round pick by the Ravens in 2023 out of USC. He’s appeared in five games this season with two starts, per Yardbarker, and his rookie deal runs through 2026.
For Atlanta, he’s a guard who can step in after the Falcons lose their starting center in the middle of the season.
A busy week for the Falcons
Atlanta has made a lot of changes in a short span. The Falcons traded safety Jessie Bates to the Jaguars on Monday, then released kicker Nick Folk and signed Jake Moody on Tuesday. Now they’ll need a new center.
The timing is tough. Atlanta hosts the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, and the Chiefs just added receiver Josh Downs before the deadline.
Ravens keep adjusting
Baltimore has had a rough stretch. The Ravens traded for quarterback Jacoby Brissett earlier in deadline week after injuries to Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley, according to NFL.com. You can read more in our Lamar Jackson injury update.
The Sporting News argued the Ravens didn’t need to make this trade with Jackson out. Baltimore clearly sees it differently, and the next few weeks should show how it plans to use Neuzil.
For every move from deadline week and our grades, see our trade deadline winners and losers.
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