Orlando Brown wants an opportunity to play LT and could ask for a trade to get that wish. With a lot of assets, the Jags could be an option.
fter going 1-15, the Jacksonville Jaguars have several upgrades to make on their roster, and left tackle for Trevor Lawrence could be among them. Cam Robinson’s contract has expired, and the team now has to decide whether they should keep him on a long-term deal, franchise tag him, or look for another option in free agency or the draft.
However, a situation in Baltimore has unfolded where Pro Bowler Orlando Brown has requested a trade in hopes to find a team that will allow him to play left tackle. With the Ravens signing Ronnie Stanley to a five-year extension worth $98.7 million last year, they view him as Lamar Jackson’s blindside protector of the future. As a result, it seems as though Brown and Stanley can’t be on the same roster.
Before asking the question of whether the Jags should be the team to make the trade, here is some information the Jags would consider before making such a transaction:
Comparing Brown’s and Robinson’s body of work?
Brown, who is on the last year of his rookie deal, took a majority of his snaps at left tackle in 2020 as Stanley had to have season-ending ankle surgery. He held his own in the process, and ever since Stanley’s injury (Week 8 vs. Pittsburgh), Brown allowed zero sacks, one quarterback hit, and 17 hurries. Robinson, on the other hand, allowed two sacks, four quarterback hits (some could be on the QB), and 17 hurries through the same period.
When looking at the season as a whole, Brown finished with a 76.4 overall grade (76.7 pass blocking, 72.8 run blocking) and Robinson finished with a 61.8 overall grade (66.4 pass blocking, 53.8 run blocking). Within that body of work, Brown took 700 snaps at left tackle and 345 snaps at right tackle. Meanwhile, all 991 of Robinson’s snaps were at left tackle.
Though Brown wants to play left tackle, those figures indicate he could be effective on the right in an emergency and offers versatility, which is a plus. Those figures also might indicate that he’d be an upgrade over Robinson as a starting left tackle, but more snaps on the blindside is required before we can make a call.
What could be the asking price?
Of course, to gauge what the Ravens could want, fans have to refer to history.
The most recent deal to come to mind was the one between the Houston Texans and Miami Dolphins. Miami sent left tackle Laremy Tunsil and receiver Kenny Stills to Houston for first-round picks in 2020-21, a 2021 second-round pick, cornerback Johnson Bademosi, and offensive tackle Julien Davenport.
Of course, in this case, things need to be simplified and when you eliminate everything aside from Tunsil, the Ravens might ask for a first-round pick. After all, Brown is just 24 years old and is versatile (if injuries occur).
That said, if the Jags don’t re-sign Robinson and come up short in free-agency, trading for Brown would make sense — if he’s still available. They have two first-round selections, and while the No. 1 overall pick is off-limits, they could be open to trading the No. 25 overall pick.
The issue with giving up a first is that the Jags could instead keep their draft picks, which they need desperately, and sign a veteran like Trent Williams or Alejandro Villanueva. While both are over 30, both should be fine as short-term options (maybe a three-year deal), which would allow the Jags to keep their second first-rounder. Williams, in particular, is still playing at an elite level and is better than Brown currently despite his age.
Giving up a first-rounder won’t be all that’s required, either. Brown is in the final year of his contract, so the Jags would be wise to extend him. With him viewing himself as a left tackle, that would add an expensive contract to the mix in addition to the loss of a high draft pick. Sure, the money isn’t an issue, but when combined with the draft compensation, bringing in Brown would require a lot of assets.
Additionally, with offensive tackle being the strength of the draft class, the Jags could sign one of the aforementioned veterans (or keep Robinson), while adding a rookie to be groomed through the draft. That said, if the asking price is a first-rounder, the Jags might be better off passing on Brown, but if it requires less, they should give the Ravens a call.
Now, we’d like to hear from you all at home in the poll below. Should the Jags make a trade for Brown, or should they go another route? Vote away!
