Orlando Brown‘s left tackle-or-bust quest has led the three-year Ravens starter to request a trade. The Ravens are listening to offers for the 24-year-old blocker, and Brown’s camp is now looking into potential destinations.
Brown’s representatives have begun exploring trades, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com, who adds the Ravens are aware of their right tackle’s plans (Twitter link). However, the Ravens certainly represent the key party here. They are surely looking for a high-value trade haul.
Ronnie Stanley‘s season-ending injury prompted the Ravens to use Brown as their left tackle. Previously, Brown had operated as Baltimore’s tackle starter opposite Stanley. A former third-round pick, Brown has one season remaining on his rookie contract.
Pro Football Focus has viewed Brown as a top-25 tackle in each of the past two seasons, and proven O-linemen annually command tremendous interest as free agents. There figure to be several teams interest in acquiring Brown via trade. The Ravens having extended Stanley last year will cut off a Brown path to left tackle in Baltimore, but as of now, the second-generation NFL tackle remains the team’s right tackle.
Trading Brown would further deplete Baltimore’s offensive line. Marshal Yanda‘s retirement created a void inside for the Ravens, who now have Stanley coming off a major injury. Though, the Ravens making a deal would secure additional draft capital with which to bolster their O-line.
If the Ravens trade Brown, the acquiring team would need to be prepared to give him a high-end extension. A 2022 franchise tag could also be utilized, by either the Ravens or the acquiring team, to lock down Brown. Stanley, David Bakhtiari and 2019 trade acquisition Laremy Tunsil have changed the market at left tackle. Tunsil and Bakhtiari have pushed it beyond $22MM annually. The top right tackle contract (Lane Johnson‘s) averages $18MM per year.
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