The Ravens made a blockbuster trade when they sent OT Orlando Brown Jr. to the Kansas City Chiefs.
The full trade details:
Chiefs receive: OT Orlando Brown Jr, 2021 second-round pick, 2022 sixth-round pick
Ravens receive: 2021 first-round pick, 2021 third-round pick, 2021 fourth-round pick, 2022 fifth-round pick
For the Ravens, there’s some good, and definitely some bad, so let’s get right into what this trade means for them
The Bad
My biggest complaint with this trade is that it helps the Ravens’ biggest rival outside the AFC North. Why would you trade an amazing, young talent to the best team in the AFC, which you have failed to beat in each of the past three years? After watching the Super Bowl, it was clear to everyone that the Chiefs would be using the offseason to improve their O-Line. This became even more evident when they released both of their starting tackles, Mitchell Schwartz and Eric Fisher. Again, why would you make a trade to significantly help your rival? I usually like the moves that Eric Decosta makes, however, I really don’t like making a trade which helps out a team that Baltimore will definitely have to face on their road to the Super Bowl.
My other gripe with this trade is that the Ravens traded their second-round pick as well. This means that they’ll have to wait until the 94th pick to make their first selection on day 2, barring a trade up of course. However, giving up their second-round pick probably played a part into why the Ravens got back as much as they did.
The Good
Many people think the Ravens got absolutely fleeced, however, there is some good that comes from this trade. For one, the Ravens got a decent haul back. They received an additional first-round pick, as well as two other picks in 2021, and another in 2022. They’ll now have 9 picks to use in the upcoming draft:
Round 1 – Pick 27
Round 1 – Pick 31
Round 3 – Pick 94
Round 3 – Pick 104
Round 4 – Pick 131
Round 4 – Pick 136
Round 5 – Pick 171
Round 5 – Pick 184
Round 6 – Pick 210
It should also be noted that Orlando Brown Jr. wanted out. He wanted to be traded. Orlando grew up watching his late father, Orlando Brown Sr, play as a starting left tackle in the NFL. Orlando grew up wanted to be a left tackle, just like his dad. This would normally be no problem, however, the Ravens have All-Pro Ronnie Stanley at LT. Last season, Orlando Brown Jr. stepped into the starting left tackle role once Stanley went down with a season ending injury in Week 8. He was seemingly willing to play right tackle, but once he took over on the left side, and excelled at it, that changed. Brown Jr’s contract ends after next season, and he would’ve left once his contact expired. The Ravens were going to lose him sooner or later, and it’s better to get some compensation rather than nothing.
How Will The Ravens Address RT?
Orlando was a pretty good tackle, and trading him will leave a huge hole at RT. According to multiple reports, Baltimore is expected to sign former Steeler Alejandro Villanueva. Although the Ravens will be signing Villanueva, he is 33. He’ll only be a one-year rental, so the Ravens are still in play for a young tackle in the draft.
How Does This Affect The Ravens’ Approach In The Draft?
This trade does have some pretty big implications for the draft. The Ravens traded their own second-round pick (58th overall), and acquired three picks (31st overall, 94th overall, 163rd overall). The biggest asset of the trade for Baltimore will be the 31st pick, their 2nd first-round pick. This pick will give the Ravens an opportunity to fill two needs on the first night of the draft. This trade will also give the Ravens additional picks in the 3rd and 4th rounds, meaning they’ll be on the clock 4 times in two rounds.
Overall, on the surface, this trade seems like a loss for the Ravens. Not only did they lose an amazing, homegrown talent, and their 2021 second-round pick, but they also dealt them to one of the best teams in the NFL. However, this trade is a win for Baltimore. They got another first-round pick, along with three other picks for a disgruntled player, who was going to leave in free agency next year. It will sting to see Orlando leave, however, I am extremely excited to see what Eric Decosta and the front office does with their newly acquired ammo for the draft.
