Buy Low Sell High: Jared Gaither

It’s no secret that the Ravens got their money’s worth out of former 5th round supplemental draft choice Jared Gaither.

Gaither has undoubtedly exceeded expectations considering where he was drafted, and has been tendered with a first round pick.

If he hits the unrestricted market next year, he will likely land a sizable contract elsewhere. However, the Ravens may be able to get more than fair compensation for Gaither if they act now.

Rumors coming out of San Francisco, Dallas, and Indianapolis indicate that those teams may be interested in trading their first round pick for the young left tackle. While many of these rumors may just be speculations, there has to be at least some truth to them.

Gaither may be viewed as “expendable” to Ozzie Newsome and company, considering how well Michael Oher played on the left side last season. Marshall Yanda also has experience at right tackle and could be moved there, allowing Chris Chester to regain a starting role at right guard. A right tackle is also easier to find in a later round of the draft than is a left tackle.

San Francisco holds the 13th and 17th picks in the first round, where as Dallas and Indianapolis hold later picks, at 27 and 31, respectively. Either way you spin it, that’s a huge “profit” for the former Terrapin. It would also allow the Ravens to address a few other needs early on in the draft.

Oh and by the way, the last time the Ravens had multiple first round picks was in 1996 when they selected two future hall of famers in Jonathan Ogden and Ray Lewis.