Colts an obvious trade partner for Orlando Brown in 2021
After trading a 2021 third-round pick and 2022 conditional pick to the Philadelphia Eagles for quarterback Carson Wentz, the Indianapolis Colts might consider setting their sights on yet another blockbuster trade in the 2021 offseason.
That potential blockbuster trade would involve Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Orlando Brown, who has reportedly asked the team to trade him so he can play left tackle somewhere on a full-time basis.
Brown is just 25 years old, has already been to the Pro Bowl, and has vastly out-played expectations especially after a historically bad Scouting Combine performance in 2018.
Despite his shockingly bad Combine performance, Brown has proven that tape trumps everything. He dropped to the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft after that Combine performance when he should have been a first-round pick, and he’s played like the top draft choice he deserved to be.
What would be the cost to acquire a player like Brown?
Well, the Ravens are going to have to be compensated handsomely to get rid of him, seeing as trading him will create a huge need at the right tackle position for them.
Perhaps 2020 third-round pick Tyre Phillips is ready to take on an expanded role in the Ravens’ offense, but whatever the case, there are more needs for good left tackle play in the NFL than there are guys who can actually do it.
The Ravens have all of the leverage here with Brown in the final year of a rookie deal and two possible franchise tags available after that.
At the very least, they should be able to get a first-round pick for him.
It just so happens that the Indianapolis Colts still have their 2021 first-round pick even after the Carson Wentz trade. They traded a first-round pick last year for defensive lineman DeForest Buckner. If they make the playoffs in 2021, their 2022 first-round pick is likely going to the Eagles.
The same type of aggressiveness they had for Buckner last year should be applied to Orlando Brown given the fact that the quarterback is now in place, cap space is not an issue, and left tackle is.
The Colts said goodbye this offseason to Anthony Castonzo, who retired after 10 years and 144 games with the team.
Just about every 2021 mock draft scenario has the Colts taking a tackle with that top pick anyway, so sending their first-round pick to the Ravens would be a worthwhile price to pay for a player who is not yet 26 and playing tremendous football.
The Colts have one of the best offensive lines in the game as it is, but adding Brown at left tackle would solidify their unit as the best in the league. Imagine what Carson Wentz could do with that kind of assurance in front of him.
The Colts must make this move if at all possible.