Orlando Brown and the Ravens
Orlando Brown Jr is a 24-year-old tackle who has 42 starts across 3 seasons for the Baltimore Ravens, and two Pro Bowls attached to his resume. Brown fell to the 3rd round of the 2018 draft primarily based on concerns over his mobility despite playing with Baker Mayfield in a prolific Oklahoma offense. Poor testing numbers at the NFL combine and concerns about athleticism hurt Brown’s draft stock, but he has proven those concerns wrong.
Brown became the starting right tackle in Baltimore during his rookie year and never looked back. When Ravens left tackle Ronnie Stanley went down with an injury in early October, Brown was flipped across to the blindside position and excelled. The 6’8″, 345-pound tackle only allowed 3 sacks on the season. Brown showed the NFL not only could he play, but he could man the most important position on the offensive line and do it at a high level.
This is where the rift begins. Orlando Brown Jr wants to make his name at left tackle and is entering a contract year in 2021. He wants to play, and be paid, as a left tackle. Baltimore already has their franchise tackle in Ronnie Stanley and are not in a position to pay two left tackle level salaries. This has led to Brown reportedly requesting a trade, and being given permission to seek one.
Young Pro Bowl offensive tackles are very rarely available—whether in free agency or via trade—and Orlando Brown Jr. represents an opportunity for a team to jump on a proven player early. The Chiefs could go a variety of ways to address their tackle position, but the prospect of acquiring a talented 24-year-old should be igniting conversations at 1 Arrowhead Drive.