Orlando Brown wants to play left tackle and only left tackle. That’s a problem for the Baltimore Ravens, who plan to put him back at right tackle once Ronnie Stanley returns from his ankle injury.
Apparently Brown feels strongly enough about it to demand a trade, per Ian Rapoport at NFL Network.
Sources: #Ravens OT Orlando Brown wants to be traded. After tweeting his desire to only play left tackle – he filled in there for Ronnie Stanley and shined this season – Brown will only play for a team that will play him at his preferred spot. Baltimore would need a major haul.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 10, 2021
A major haul is putting it mildly.
It’s not often a 24-year old offensive tackle the size of a house becomes available.
Brown (6-foot-8, 344 pounds) is one of the league’s most powerul offensive linemen and has been a major factor in Baltimore’s incredible success running the ball these last few years. He’s also a monster in pass protection. In three seasons, he’s only allowed six sacks.
For what it’s worth, Pro Football Focus gave Brown a 76.4 grade for the 2020 season, only a little bit higher than Russell Okung’s 73.0. Even if their level of play was that close (it’s not), Okung’s age (32 years) and health history should disqualify him from serious consideration for a new contract.
Carolina’s other options are relatively limited, though.
The only free agent left tackle worth a real push this year is Trent Williams of the 49ers, who could cost $20 million a year. Brown isn’t quite as good as Williams (nobody is), but he’s eight years younger and his ceiling is as high as any team could reasonably ask for.
General manager Scott Fitterer told the media in his first presser that his team would be in on every deal. If that’s the case, then the Panthers definitely have to at least call the Ravens to see what it would take.
The potential fly in the ointment is Brown’s contract situation. His current deal only has one year left, with a cap number of $3.6 million in 2021. So, acquiring Brown would not only require a ton of draft capital, but also a massive contract extension within a year. Given this organization’s other needs (most notably quarterback) and the general state of the roster that’s a hard sell.
Carolina should at least kick the tires here, but drafting a left tackle early is still the best choice.
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