NFL Trade Machine: Kelechi Osemele On The Block?

Oct 26, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Baltimore Ravens guard Kelechi Osemele (72) against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Bengals defeated the Ravens 27-24. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

There are certain conditions that go into a player being traded. Among them is the fact he may prove too expensive for the team to keep due to salary cap restrictions, and rather than lose them to free agency for nothing, it’s often grounds for an NFL trade instead to get something back in return.

The Baltimore Ravens may be approaching this situation with guard Kelechi Osemele. Following the four-year, $37.4 million extension handed to Pro Bowl teammate Marshal Yanda, the team is faced with a difficult choice. Do they fork out similar big money to Osemele, which based on his play he’s likely to earn on the market, or do they let him walk?

"“Previous reports have said that Osemele is unlikely to offer the Ravens a hometown discount, and he’s clearly in a great position to cash in big next year.Osemele, 26, was taken in the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft by the Ravens. He has one year remaining on his four-year, $3.34 million rookie contract and stands to make a base salary of $846,255 for the 2015 season.”"

He is one of the best run blockers in the league and just starting to enter his prime. There is no doubting his value, and at 1-5 the Ravens are almost at the point where they need to start thinking about what they will do in 2016. The trade deadline is approaching. GM Ozzie Newsome has to think about unloaded Osemele to a team willing to meet his price and give up a draft pick for it.

Here are a couple of teams to watch.

Miami Dolphins

Guard remains a huge sore spot for the Miami Dolphins. Dallas Thomas has really struggled all season and the team needs a boost to their running game in order to keep defenses off Ryan Tannehill. Given their playoff aspirations, it’s not a hard sell to see them making an aggressive push to find a solution via trade.

Chicago Bears

There are a few things to note here. The Chicago Bears have a good left guard in Matt Slauson, it’s their right guard Vladimir Ducasse that is the huge problem. Even so, GM Ryan Pace has shown a liking for Ravens players, having handed a big contract to linebacker Pernell McPhee. Chicago has nine draft picks at their disposal for 2016, so depending on what Baltimore wants in return this is another possibility.

Seattle Seahawks

Has anybody watched the offensive line of the Seattle Seahawks lately? Yeah, it’s almost a guarantee that they would immediately be interested in Osemele. Their current left guard Justin Britt was their right tackle last season and hasn’t worked out. They love to run the football and at this point are seeking any sort of help they can find.

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