Tag: Baltimore Ravens trade

Ravens trade for TE Josh Oliver a brilliant low-risk move

The Baltimore Ravens paid so little in a trade for TE Josh Oliver that they’re already winners. But they could win big

The Baltimore Ravens picked up an athletic and promising tight end, trading with the Jacksonville Jaguars for Josh Oliver. It’s a low-risk deal but could be a massive get for Baltimore, once again pointing to general manager Eric DeCosta being a few steps ahead of everyone else.

On the surface, it might not look like that big of a deal. Oliver has played in just four games through his two years in the league, ending both seasons on injured reserve. The conditional seventh-round pick the Ravens gave up certainly points to Oliver’s value not being all that high. But let’s look at Oliver a little closer to get a clearer picture of the player Baltimore is getting.

A third-round pick in the 2019 NFL draft, Oliver is very clearly a talented pass-catching tight end. Joe Marino at TheDraftNetwork put together an initial scouting report on Oliver and it reads perfectly for what Baltimore is looking for. In it, Marino notes Oliver has experience running a full route tree, has the hands to win in contested situations, is fast enough to get open, and agile enough to make plays with the ball in his hands. At 6-foot-5 and 250 pounds, Oliver checks a lot of boxes and has all the makings of a serious threat in the Ravens’ tight-end-centric offensive scheme.

While there are knocks on Oliver’s ability to block, it’s a skill very few tight ends come into the league doing well. Look at Mark Andrews as a prime example of how a player can enter the NFL being downright bad at blocking but improve with coaching. Even if Oliver didn’t learn a single thing in Jacksonville, the Ravens will almost assuredly get him right in that regard.

The real concern is Oliver’s injury history and the impact it has had on his development. His rookie season ended prematurely after a back injury put him on injured reserve. Then, before the 2020 season even started, Oliver suffered a no-contact foot injury and was placed on injured reserve. However, with Baltimore’s seventh-round pick being conditional on Oliver making the team, the Ravens are at least a little protected on that front. If Oliver gets injured before the season starts, they simply cut him and don’t have to pay anything to the Jaguars for the tryout.

Really, I’m a little confused why Jacksonville traded him for so little. The worst-case scenario is that they were going to cut him before the season began. The best-case scenario is that he’s able to stay healthy and plays up to his third-round status. Given his relatively low cap hit on his rookie contract, it’s not like he was some massive cap burden that had to be dealt with immediately. Then again, the Ravens have often pulled off one-sided trades over the years, so I guess this is nothing new.

With just four games under his belt in the NFL, it’s fair to view Oliver as a rookie developmentally. However, with two more years remaining on his deal, that would give Baltimore enough time to not only get an immediate return on him but potentially coach him up into a starting option, all for very cheap. Think of it this way . . . If the Ravens were able to snag a player who had a third-round value on him in the seventh round of the 2021 NFL draft, fans and analysts would be ecstatic, praising Baltimore up and down.

The Ravens were very clearly the winners of this trade, regardless of how it pans out. But it has the potential to make them massive winners if Oliver can stay healthy and get on the field.

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Ravens trade with Jaguars for TE Josh Oliver

The Baltimore Ravens are parting ways with a conditional seventh-round pick in the 2022 NFL draft for Jacksonville Jaguars TE Josh Oliver

Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh hinted this offseason could include the acquisition of a big tight end. While the Ravens didn’t grab a big name, they added some serious talent to the depth chart. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Baltimore traded with the Jacksonville Jaguars for tight end Josh Oliver.

Per Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic, the Ravens are parting ways with a conditional seventh-round selection in the 2022 NFL draft. The condition is that Oliver makes the team this season. It could be a steal, getting a talented former third-round pick for very little but that’s not a guarantee considering Oliver’s injury history.

Over his two years in the league, Oliver has played in just four games, heading to injured reserve in each season. He’s caught just three passes for 15 yards and no touchdowns. But if Oliver can stay healthy, he’s a promising young tight end that could flourish in Baltimore’s system. With Mark Andrews and Nick Boyle already cemented into their spots on the roster, Oliver will likely compete for the third tight end job with Eric Tomlinson.

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7 most likely landing spots if Ravens trade Orlando Brown Jr.

If the Baltimore Ravens trade tackle Orlando Brown Jr. this offseason, it’s likely going to be one of these seven teams pulling the trigger.

Baltimore Ravens’ Orlando Brown Jr. has become one of the better offensive tackles in the league. He’s excelled on the right side since taking over the starting job midway through his rookie season. But with Ronnie Stanley suffering a season-ending ankle injury, Brown was pushed to the left side for 11 games in 2020, giving him a chance to prove his worth on the blindside.

Brown surpassed any expectations at left tackle, earning his second Pro Bowl nod in three years. He allowed just three sacks all season long and was a force both when run blocking and pass protecting, helping solidify Baltimore’s offensive line as they were ravaged by injuries. So it should come as no surprise Brown now wants to be considered a left tackle.

Though more people are coming around to the notion left and right tackles are equally important, left tackles have more notoriety and typically earn more money than their counterparts. Entering the final year of his rookie deal and seemingly adamant about his position, the Ravens should receive interest from teams around the league about acquiring Brown via trade. We’ve even taken a closer look at what trade value Baltimore could get in return for Brown, which makes it a surprisingly attractive option for the Ravens if they’re unable to get him to return for 2021.

There are no guarantees Baltimore is even interested in trading Brown. However, there are a few teams that have the need and the draft capital to make a trade happen.

Ravens hold all the cards in Orlando Brown trade and should move slowly

The Baltimore Ravens shouldn’t be in a rush to trade Orlando Brown Jr. since he has no leverage to force his exit from Baltimore.

Baltimore Ravens tackle Orlando Brown Jr. has made it clear he believes he’s a left tackle and, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, he’d like to be traded to a team willing to start him there. While there are likely to be a bunch of teams ringing the Ravens’ phone in the coming months, Baltimore shouldn’t be in a rush here.

Regardless of your personal beliefs on Brown’s trade desires, they make plenty of sense. The Ravens already have their left tackle in Ronnie Stanley, inking him to a five-year contract extension last season. There’s no question left tackle is viewed by most as the more premier position compared to the right side, and Brown has been very clear about wanting to live out the dream his father had for him. But that doesn’t mean Baltimore has to simply give in to his demands and ship him off for a bargain if he’s adamant about being traded.

Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta can set a firm value on Brown’s services as a Pro Bowl left tackle — just as he views himself. Either other teams will agree with that or they won’t, and both situations work in Baltimore’s favor.

If another general manager picks up the phone and agrees to DeCosta’s terms right off the bat, the Ravens don’t have to deal with any potential drama and likely walk away winners of the trade. If no one is willing to hit that pricetag, DeCosta can clearly show Brown and his agent that the rest of the league disagrees with their assessment, potentially seeing him return for a year before hitting free agency.

Though Brown hasn’t even hinted at the notion of holding out, it probably wouldn’t do him much good even if he did. With the fines for skipping training camp set at $40,000 a day, it’s tough to see Brown sitting out for very long. Even if he does, Baltimore can afford to call his bluff since Brown would lose his year of eligibility if he sits out through Week 11 and wouldn’t hit free agency in 2022.

Ultimately, I don’t think the Ravens want to trade Brown. He’s a Pro Bowl tackle — whether on the left or right side — on an offensive line that could see new faces at two other positions. The production and continuity he brings to the table are worth considerably more for a team vying for a Super Bowl than even a first-round pick in return by trading him. If, by slowing things down to wait for the right offer, Baltimore can get Brown to cool off and return in 2021, I think they’d be far happier.

When you boil it all down, everything points to the Ravens either getting the trade value they want or Brown returning in 2021. They’d be pretty foolish to accept anything but those two options and Baltimore hasn’t often been on the wrong side of a trade. But regardless of what eventually happens, don’t expect things to move quickly.

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What’s Orlando Brown Jr.’s trade value?

We use two previous trades for top left tackles to determine what Orlando Brown’s trade value is for the Baltimore Ravens.

Baltimore Ravens tackle Orlando Brown Jr. wants to be traded this offseason. After notching his second Pro Bowl nomination in three years and filling in quite well for the injured Ronnie Stanley, Brown is adamant he’s a left tackle and wants to go where a team will start him there. But what is Brown’s trade value?

Top tackles don’t typically get traded, which makes it a lot harder to truly determine Brown’s value right now. As we’ve seen with some deals over the years, teams will occasionally find a sucker who overpays by quite a bit. But for every one of those instances, there are plenty of others where teams play hardball and a player’s public outcries lower the price dramatically.

However, there are two trades over the last two offseasons that I believe will define the ceiling and floor of what the Ravens are looking for in return here. Let’s take a closer look at them and what that means for Brown’s trade value right now.

Report: Ravens T Orlando Brown Jr. wants to be traded

After being adamant he’s a left tackle, Baltimore Ravens’ Orlando Brown Jr. wants to be traded to a team willing to play him there.

Orlando Brown Jr.’s time with the Baltimore Ravens looks as though it’s coming to an end. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Brown wants to be traded to a team that will start him at left tackle.

Brown had been selected in the third round of the 2018 NFL draft and eventually made his way to the starting lineup at right tackle midseason. However, after left tackle Ronnie Stanley went down with a season-ending knee injury in 2020, Brown was shifted over to the left side where he performed incredibly well, ultimately getting his second Pro Bowl nod in three seasons.

Now that Brown has proven himself at the premier position and is entering the final year of his rookie contract, he doesn’t want to give it up. Brown took to Twitter more than a month ago, asserting himself as a left tackle. He eventually followed up the decree by explaining it was his father’s dream to see him play at left tackle.

While the Ravens would undoubtedly love to retain Brown for 2021 and likely beyond, if he’s adamant about staying on the left side, Baltimore might not have much of a choice here. The Ravens signed Stanley to a five-year contract extension just days before suffering his season-ending knee injury, all but locking him in as the team’s left tackle. Even if Baltimore was willing to pay two players upper-tier left-tackle contracts, there’s only one left tackle position on the offensive line.

According to Rapoport, the Ravens could be willing to deal Brown this offseason but it’s not going to be cheap. Since Brown has cemented himself as one of the better young tackles in the league, and it’s one of the more important positions on the field, other teams are going to have to offer major compensation in return, per Rapoport.

It’s unclear exactly what that might entail but considering the value Brown is on the final year of his rookie deal and the importance of the position, it’s likely going to take some early-round picks in the 2021 NFL draft to make a deal happen. That should go a long way to helping Baltimore retool their offensive line and add some more talent throughout the rest of the roster this offseason.

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Orlando Brown Jr. says his father’s dream, not money, is reason for desire to stay at LT

Baltimore Ravens tackle Orlando Brown Jr. played well at left tackle after Ronnie Stanley’s season-ending injury. Now he wants to stay there

Brown has been a surprise at every step. At least, he has been if you haven’t been paying attention.

It all started during the lead-up to the 2018 NFL draft. Viewed by many as having the talent level of a first-round pick, a terrible combine performance saw analysts and teams shy away from Brown as many questioned everything from his work ethic to his heart. Ultimately, the Baltimore Ravens pounced on the opportunity, snatching Brown in the third round.

That summer, Brown outplayed James Hurst throughout training camp and looked every bit the first-round talent and starter everyone had initially viewed him as. But Baltimore, often reluctant to start rookies, put Hurst into the starting role at the beginning of the season. It took until Hurst suffered an injury in Week 6 before Brown was thrust into the starting lineup, an opportunity he has yet to relinquish for even one snap.

Brown had a similar taste of success this past season, filling in at left tackle for Ronnie Stanley, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 8 against the Pittsburgh Steelers just days after signing a massive contract extension with Baltimore. Once again, Brown didn’t skip a beat, playing extraordinarily well and earning a Pro Bowl nomination. And now, it appears he’s not ready to give up the starting job.

Brown sent out a cryptic tweet in late January, simply saying he’s a “LEFT Tackle.” While many rushed to interpret the tweet’s meaning, going as far as to wonder if Brown would force a trade this offseason, Brown offered no explanation. Until now, at least.

Brown ended his silence on the matter, pulling quotes from an article from The Baltimore Sun’s Daniel Oyefusi over two tweets. Brown explained his desire to remain at left tackle had nothing to do with making more money or holding a grudge against the team, but about living out his father’s dream for him.

If the name Orlando Brown sounds familiar, it’s because Brown Jr.’s father once played in Baltimore as well. Brown had lined up at right tackle for six seasons with the Ravens and was well-known as an enforcer on the offensive line. But he wanted better for his son.

Though the tide has begun to change in recent years, many still view right tackles as inferior players, usually citing the quarterback’s blind side (which is on the left side for a right-handed quarterback) as being more important. While Brown says his issue has nothing to do with money, it’s fair to point to the disparity in pay between the two positions. Of the 25 highest-paid offensive tackles in the league (in APY), there are just six right tackles, according to Over The Cap.

Between the pay and respect, Brown would be justified in wanting to stay at left tackle. And by earning a Pro Bowl nod for his play at left tackle in 2020, Brown has certainly deserving of his request. However, things aren’t quite that simple.

While Stanley did suffer a devastating knee injury, he’s clearly the Ravens’ left tackle when healthy — whether because of his previous All-Pro-caliber play or because of his $15.25 million cap hit in 2021. And though Baltimore would be smart to lock up both Stanley and Brown for the long haul and solidify the ends of their offensive line, it would mean one has to be at right tackle while the other stays on the left side.

It’s unclear exactly how far Brown is willing to go in his desire to stay at left tackle and it’s equally unclear what the Ravens are willing to do if he presses the situation. Top tackles are worth their weight in trade value, which Baltimore typically loves. But with the Ravens having a run-first offense and being viewed as Super Bowl contenders, jettisoning one of their top players isn’t likely something general manager Eric DeCosta would be excited to do.

Though it’s nice to hear Brown’s explanation and everyone should respect him for it, it doesn’t do much to clarify the situation. Baltimore could be in for a very interesting offseason depending on how adamant Brown is on his role with the team.

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WATCH: Yannick Ngakoue’s, Dez Bryant’s first practice with Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens got newly acquired DE Yannick Ngakoue and WR Dez Bryant on the practice field for the first time in a Ravens uniform.

The Baltimore Ravens were movers and shakers during the bye week, trading for defensive end Yannick Ngakoue and signing wide receiver Dez Bryant to the practice squad. The hope is both players can take the Ravens to the next level this season and guide them to Super Bowl LV. But it all starts with the first practice.

Take a look as Ngakoue heads to Baltimore’s practice fields at the Under Armour Performance Center for the first time in a Ravens uniform.

With the media only able to film individual drills at practice, the best look we’ll get of Ngakoue before he plays in a game is on the blocking sled. While pretty far from an actual game or even going up against another player, Ngakoue showed off his power and quickness on the sled and during a walkthrough drill.

As is usually the case, defensive tackle Brandon Williams was out there making jokes and cutting up with his new teammate.

The defense wasn’t alone in welcoming a new member of the squad. The offense got a chance to see what Bryant is all about. In his first practice with Baltimore, Bryant was being used on the scout team as a surrogate for Steelers rookie wide receiver Chase Claypool, including wearing the same No. 11 jersey. Bryant showed off his hands, reeling in a one-handed grab during the position drills.

It’s just the first day but it’s easy to get excited about the Ravens’ newest additions.

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Ravens GM Eric DeCosta after Yannick Ngakoue trade: ‘We are not finished building this team’

Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta hinted at even more moves coming following the team’s trade for Yannick Ngakoue.

Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta pulled off some midseason magic once again. After acquiring All-Pro cornerback Marcus Peters at the trade deadline last season, the Ravens traded for Pro Bowl pass rusher Yannick Ngakoue. Baltimore will be sending two draft picks to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for Ngakoue as they look to bolster their pass rush for a serious Super Bowl push.

But in all the excitement, some might not have realized DeCosta hinted at yet even more moves. In a statement following the Ngakoue trade, DeCosta insinuated he’s far from finished adding talent to the roster.

“We are excited to add Yannick Ngakoue to our football team,” DeCosta stated. “Yannick is someone who we are very familiar with going back to the draft process years ago. He is an exciting player and a dangerous pass rusher who makes us better. Yannick grew up here. He’s the type of person we welcome in our building. Finally, we are not finished building this team, as we continue to chase our ultimate goals.”

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DeCosta could have been hinting at the anticipated signing of wide receiver Dez Bryant to the practice squad pending a workout. Or, as some Ravens fans are hoping, there’s another trade right around the corner.

While Bryant could be the help DeCosta was talking about, there are rightfully questions as to how much he still has left in the tank. Bryant has been out of football since the 2017 season, is coming off a torn Achilles, and will be 32 years old within the next week. If signed to the practice squad as expected, Bryant would seemingly be more an insurance policy rather than a contributor.

Instead, DeCosta and the Ravens could be eyeing up help at tight end or wide receiver via trade. Baltimore traded away third tight end Hayden Hurst this offseason and haven’t gotten as much as expected out of second-year wide receiver Miles Boykin. With quarterback Lamar Jackson and the pass offense struggling this season, adding a capable and young wide receiver or tight end to the mix could rejuvenate the unit and get them back on track.

There are no specific rumblings going on right now but with DeCosta hinting at more to come, don’t be shocked if the Ravens continue to be buyers at the NFL trade deadline.

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Ravens’ salary cap implications after trading for Yannick Ngakoue

After trading for DE Yannick Ngakoue, how does the Baltimore Ravens’ salary cap look for 2020? We take a closer look at the financials

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The Baltimore Ravens’ trade for Minnesota Vikings defensive end Yannick Ngakoue is a move that will have lasting repercussions on the rosters of both teams. The Vikings had Ngakoue in their building for less than two months, and appear set to enter a period of rebuilding. For Baltimore, it gives an already fierce defense another dangerous playmaker. The trade also has lasting implications for the Ravens’ salary cap.

Before the trade took place, Baltimore had $4,962,802 in salary cap space, according to Over The Cap. Ngakoue had been playing on a one-year, $12 million deal with the Vikings, which will now count as $4.706 million against the Ravens’ 2020 salary cap. With so little salary cap space remaining after the trade, it points to Baltimore likely either restructuring another player to free up some money or inking Ngakoue to a long-term deal to lower the cap hit.

There are some long-term implications of the Ngakoue trade as well. On just a one-year deal, Ngakoue is effectively a 10-game rental right now. Having given up two draft picks to land him, it seems unlikely Baltimore general manager Eric DeCosta is just going to let Ngakoue play out this season and potentially hit free agency. That means a long-term deal is likely in the works, which will have a major impact on the Ravens’ future salary cap numbers.

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Ngakoue has been looking for a new deal for quite some time, having a public feud with the Jacksonville Jaguars over the matter this offseason. Having amassed 37.5 sacks over four seasons in the NFL prior to this year, Ngakoue is among the most productive pass rushers in the league. And with how pass-happy offenses have become, productive pass rushers get paid. A long-term contract will likely set Baltimore back around $20 million a year on average, though the terms could be worked out to make some seasons far cheaper than others.

Currently, the top pass rusher contract belongs to Los Angeles Chargers’ Joey Bosa, who signed a five-year extension this offseason worth $135 million with $78 million guaranteed. It’s unlikely Ngakoue will command quite that dollar amount but he’ll undoubtedly be around those figures whenever a contract extension happens.

Luckily for the Ravens, they’re set to have plenty of cap space in the next few years. As it stands now, before other deals for guys like left tackle Ronnie Stanley are done, Baltimore is slated to have $43.799 million available on the 2021 salary cap, according to OTC. While Ngakoue’s potential long-term deal could eat up a large chunk of that, they should have enough money in the wallet to still be active in free agency if they wish.

This is another calculated risk from Baltimore’s front office, almost a year after trading for former Los Angeles Rams cornerback Marcus Peters. That move worked out splendidly for the Ravens, who will be hoping for more of the same from Ngakoue.

 

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