Cap room for him? Not really, but moves could be made.
Draft capital for him? Maybe, but we're awfully low in the draft.
Tunsil trade (For record-keeping purposes, the trade saw the Dolphins acquire first-round picks in 2020 and 2021 and a second-round pick in 2021 along with offensive tackle Julién Davenport and defensive back Johnson Bademosi in exchange for Tunsil, wide receiver Kenny Stills, a 2020 fourth-round pick and a 2021 sixth-round selection.)
It only took the Ravens a little over a year to learn their selection of Orlando Brown was a wise one, but they've met a new challenge with the tackle that could be their last.
Brown has expressed his desire to be traded, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Wednesday. After spending the majority of 2020 on the left side in place of the injured Ronnie Stanley, Brown has found his comfort zone and does not want to return to the right side. He'll only play for a team that will line him up at his preferred left tackle position, per Rapoport.
Rapoport added the Ravens value Brown significantly and would need major compensation in order to do a deal.
Brown's background is on the left side, but he ended up in Baltimore as a right tackle after a poor pre-draft showing saw him slide from a first-round projection to an eventual third-round pick of the Ravens. He blossomed in 2019 and especially in 2020 after switching to the left side to replace Stanley, earning his second straight trip to the Pro Bowl -- and first as an initial selection. Thanks to Brown's quick adjustment to the left side of the line, Baltimore didn't lose much in offensive production following Stanley's injury, finishing as the league's No. 1 rushing offense for a second straight season.
Brown's success on the left side and desire to remain there might very well also be tied to the financial ramifications of the tackle position. As it currently stands, there is a $5 million per year difference between the league's highest-paid right tackle (Philadelphia's Lane Johnson) and left tackle (Green Bay's David Bakhtiari). Of the top 10 highest-paid tackles in the NFL (in terms of average salary per year), only two -- Johnson and Las Vegas' Trent Brown -- are right tackles.
Orlando Brown missed out on significant money typically afforded to first-round picks right around the moment when he racked the bar after just 14 bench-press reps during a nightmarish 2018 NFL Scouting Combine. He's made a little over $1.8 million in base salary total in his first three seasons, and though he will see a significant boost in 2021 (base salary of $3.38 million) due to the structure of his rookie deal, that's still an incredibly far cry from where tackles of his level land in compensation ranking.
After demonstrating his ability to effectively handle the transition from right to left tackle -- a return to his roots, essentially -- Brown is in a prime position to capitalize financially and beyond. He'll maximize his earning potential by remaining a left tackle, and he'll probably enjoy playing the game a bit more in a stance and vantage point that's more familiar to him, anyway.
If that doesn't fit in Baltimore, the Ravens will have to move him. And though this isn't exactly the best way to ensure maximum leverage in a deal, they'll probably still get a haul for him. [Reply]
Originally Posted by mkp785:
We can afford to wait for him to be ready. If he makes it to us, that's a no brainer. Him and Baker would bring us back to the days of Hasty and Carter but even better imo.
Originally Posted by Marco Polo:
Am I wrong for thinking that is too high of a price? I don't want to get in a habit of trading our 1st. I'm more open to a 2nd.
Our 2nd is basically a 3rd. They aren't giving him up for a high 3rd. And if the plan was to draft a T at 1 anyway, then it's basically just a 3rd at that point. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Marco Polo:
Am I wrong for thinking that is too high of a price? I don't want to get in a habit of trading our 1st. I'm more open to a 2nd.
Other than QB, LT is probably the most important position on the field.
He's young, and a rising star in this league, plays on a playoff team, blocking for a former NFL MVP QB.
The compensation required for Brown is (at least) a 1st rd pick...wouldn't be surprised if it's a couple 1st picks, this yr and next.
I find it hard to think BAL would trade Brown to the b2b AFC conf champs that's been a thorn in their side for last couple yrs. [Reply]
By the way, look at that list of teams that are rumored to be inquiring about Brown.
If we want Darrisaw, trading up to #12 seems to be a must because that pretty much confirms the Vikings are still looking at a tackle despite saying they're going to play Ezra Cleveland there. If the Vikings are looking tackle (and we know the Chargers are looking tackle) that's going to create an issue even if the Cowboys pass on one at #10.
If we want Jenkins, it looks like trading up to #19 is going to be needed, because the Bears, Colts, and Steelers will all be looking at him. [Reply]
My gut feeling and all the draft analytics and FA history indicates Walker Little or someone similar in the Eric Fisher/Mitch Schwartz mold will be the #31 selection if they go for a LT [Reply]