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Signings, Cuts, Trades

I expected this so it doesn't hurt me as much as it should, but it still hurts. Of course, the Ravens have most likely known for awhile and I have no doubts they've been preparing. I think I mentioned it a couple of weeks back that OL in the 1st (a falling T that we can slide to G) is my dark horse pick. However, I think they have to do at least something decent in FA with Skura on the mend as well.
 
seriously...
to say we've been cheap in the IOL is an understatement. We've treated it as a non factor since KO left.
And KO was drafted as a tackle and not even an IOL.

I think we now HAVE to go Cesar Ruiz R1, sign a guy like Thuney, and then look for a Damien Lewis R3. Fuck it man, give ourselves EVERY chance to not only replace yanda, but treat the OL like we did our secondary a few years back, let’s knock the whole thing out in one swoop and have the leagues best OL with this offense for the next 4 years.

the way this teams set up, this would probably be the best way to address it anyway, the more I think about it the more I think edge talent isn’t that big of a deal, as long as this secondary is intact we can scheme pressure and it will work. Then the question becomes: how does bynes and fort hold up? And how does Miles Boykin progress? If those areas are solid, then a stud OL is the best bet.
 
Welp, this sucks. Gonna be really interesting to see how this affects our plans for FA and the draft. IOL definitely needs to be a priority if it wasn't already. I was really hoping that Yanda would stay to try and get one more Super Bowl, but I guess he'll settle for a gold jacket.
 
I expected this so it doesn't hurt me as much as it should, but it still hurts. Of course, the Ravens have most likely known for awhile and I have no doubts they've been preparing. I think I mentioned it a couple of weeks back that OL in the 1st (a falling T that we can slide to G) is my dark horse pick. However, I think they have to do at least something decent in FA with Skura on the mend as well.

I think 2 of the top 4 Ts in this class would comfortably transition inside - even the top guard prospects who aren’t fits at tackle for me are both converted tackles also - we might be better placed to try and grab one of the top C prospects
 
Franchise tag deadline has been extended through Monday at 11:59:59 am with the tampering window set to open 1 second later at midday
 
I think 2 of the top 4 Ts in this class would comfortably transition inside - even the top guard prospects who aren’t fits at tackle for me are both converted tackles also - we might be better placed to try and grab one of the top C prospects

I'm not super sold on the true interior guys in this draft, at least from what I've seen so far. No problem swinging early there but absolutely on day 2 if the right option is there.
 
Guess joe thuney is gonna be our big FA add this year.

and Cesar Ruiz just took a BIG leap up my board.

hey who knows, maybe this is the kick in the ass our FO needs to pay some goddamn attention to the IOL for the first time since Ben Grubbs
Thuney is a left guard, we still need a rg unless you expect Powers to play there. I certainly wouldn't mind Ruiz at 28 but still would want him as a center.
 
I'm not super sold on the true interior guys in this draft, at least from what I've seen so far. No problem swinging early there but absolutely on day 2 if the right option is there.

I love Ruiz at C and I like cushenberry too but the highest rated true guard (i.e. actually played guard in college full time) I have might be Shane Lemieux who’s outside the top 60 players

I’m not sure unless we get someone like Ruiz that the IOL (or potential IOL) are going to be good value until we get to the 4th round (where tbf there are 5 or 6 that I like)

If a good option is available in the top 3 rounds the we should pounce but I’m not sure I’m expecting one to ever be close to BPA when we’re picking
 
Thuney is a left guard, we still need a rg unless you expect Powers to play there. I certainly wouldn't mind Ruiz at 28 but still would want him as a center.

I honestly don’t think our free agent plan will have changed post-Yanda - his retirement hasn’t changed the viability or quality of the options on the free agent market

I’m really not into going after any of the high profile players this year on the OL
 
Ravens are considering trading RG3 who has 2M in non guaranteed money remaining on his contract. The Raiders are trying to trade Guard Gabe Jackson who has 9.6m remaining and neither contract is guaranteed.

I wonder if we are interested at all
 
Ravens are in trade talks with the Raiders for G, Gabe Jackson. Could have RG3 as part of the deal.
Wow! Great news.

I misread the update but it doesn't mean we aren't in trade talks with the Raiders. I updated my post. Here is the rotoworld update from Ian Rappaport:

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports Raiders RG Gabe Jackson has been discussed in trade talks.
Rapoport also cites Robert Griffin as someone who has been discussed in trades. Jackson's a tougher piece to part with if only because he's due a whopping $28.7 million over the final three years of his contract, including a $9.6 million cap hit in 2020. 29 in July, Las Vegas' right guard likely isn't going anywhere.
 
I love Ruiz at C and I like cushenberry too but the highest rated true guard (i.e. actually played guard in college full time) I have might be Shane Lemieux who’s outside the top 60 players

I’m not sure unless we get someone like Ruiz that the IOL (or potential IOL) are going to be good value until we get to the 4th round (where tbf there are 5 or 6 that I like)

If a good option is available in the top 3 rounds the we should pounce but I’m not sure I’m expecting one to ever be close to BPA when we’re picking
Lemieux over Damien Lewis?
 
Lemieux over Damien Lewis?

before yanda retired i felt like Lemieux was a better prospect in our scheme as a LG with his ability to pull with power and effectiveness which put him over the edge

but with yanda now gone, lewis might rise up my board because he's someone you can anchor a running game around on that right side if needs be

currently have lemieux at 64 and lewis at 75 but that might change now with yanda confirmed gone - they might end up stacked right next to each other - will have to think which way round though

ben bredeson also in that sort of range

Robert Hunt is someone who i think goes right towards the top of the desired list for potential RG prospects for the ravens off the back of this
 
before yanda retired i felt like Lemieux was a better prospect in our scheme as a LG with his ability to pull with power and effectiveness which put him over the edge

but with yanda now gone, lewis might rise up my board because he's someone you can anchor a running game around on that right side if needs be

currently have lemieux at 64 and lewis at 75 but that might change now with yanda confirmed gone - they might end up stacked right next to each other - will have to think which way round though

ben bredeson also in that sort of range
How do you feel about nick Harris? Our scheme calls for a shit ton of mobility from the LG/C and that guy is ridiculously mobile, I know the concerns, but would the benefits outweigh them?
 
How do you feel about nick Harris? Our scheme calls for a shit ton of mobility from the LG/C and that guy is ridiculously mobile, I know the concerns, but would the benefits outweigh them?

no - he got absolutely destroyed by bigger defensive tackles - i just dont think he has the anchor to survive in a power scheme where we'll have pullers behind him - the benefits of his mobility will be much better put to use in a heavier zone scheme where he can use leverage and quickness to create holes

in the AFC North in a power scheme he'd get bullied - for a team like the vikings or 49ers he'd potentially be a late 2nd round type option, for the ravens he's a mid-late day 3 option - not a scheme fit at all

i think if you're looking for interior OL you realistically have to look at Ruiz and Cushenberry first - they probably also have positional flexibility to play guard (albeit you likely just keep them at C and have Mekari compete with Bozeman at LG and Powers for the RG

robert hunt also is a good option to be a RG - think he's a top 50 type prospect
 
How was Gabe Jackson last year for the Raiders? It seems if we do trade for him, we would extend him to lower the $9M cap hit.
 
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