Star Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle tweeted that he wants to remain at left tackle for the foreseeable future.
If the Ravens cannot honor that, he would like a trade to an organization that will allow him to play at the left tackle position.
The Chargers are one of the rumored teams interested in acquiring Brown Jr. The current starting Ravens left tackle is All-Pro Ronnie Staley suffered a gruesome ankle injury early in the season after signing a large contract extension for nearly $100 million over the next five years.
Right tackle Orlando Brown Jr. then stepped into the left tackle role and performed admirably, he played the position during his time at Oklahoma University, and his father was a former NFL left tackle as well.
The Chargers are in need of improvement all over the offensive line, with the only returning lineman being Bryan Bulaga at the right tackle position.
The Chargers could use a talented left tackle to protect Justin Herbert’s blindside.
Pending free agent, Sam Tevi improved last season, but he still struggled to protect Herbert’s blind spot. Brown would be an immediate upgrade for the Chargers at left tackle, and with Brown only being 24 years old, he could protect Herbert for most of his career at a high level. The only question is if Tom Telesco will pull off a trade for the young star tackle.
The Ravens clearly don’t want to move Brown Jr. if they don’t have to, but there is a chance that he sits out if he cannot play left tackle, a position where they already have an All-Pro when Staley is healthy.
Many refer to the Laremy Tunsil deal a few years ago that the Texans made under the Bill O’Brian regime; however, the Orlando Brown Jr. situation is different for many reasons.
First, one being is Brown’s contract is up after next season, and an extension would likely have to be large if he makes the switch from right tackle to left tackle, the other issue is that he only has a few games at left tackle under his belt in the NFL.
Also, consider the Texans gave up a lot of draft capital for Tunsil, and it caused their franchise to be set back several years, and the deal ultimately backfired on them since they ended up giving the Dolphins the 3rd overall pick in this year’s draft.
Tom Telesco doesn’t normally make trades because he values draft picks, and with the Chargers drafting at 13th overall in the draft, it is not likely that he would move the pick for Orlando Brown Jr., and the Ravens will likely want at least a first in a deal for Brown.
Telesco could move wide receiver Mike Williams, a second-round pick, and likely a 3rd round pick this year or a second-round pick next year for Brown Jr. That might be enough to get a deal done for Orlando Brown Jr.
We will have to see how this situation plays out and see if Tom Telesco will end up making a move to protect Justin Herbert’s blind spot or decides to draft a tackle in the draft at the 13th pick in the first round.
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