Eugene Monroe Is A Keeper (For Now)…
The Baltimore Ravens still need Eugene Monroe, despite drafting Ronnie Stanley, to be their left tackle of the future. Monroe is a very capable left tackle who will likely be the Ravens starter. Stanley will either start at right tackle or left guard. Monroe still figures into the equation.
While Monroe is getting paid rather handsomely, and the post June 1st cut would save Baltimore some money, it’s not worth it. Last season the Ravens offensive line suffered from a lack of depth. After drafting two offensive linemen the Ravens have their eight offensive linemen. With Monroe in the fold, the Ravens have multiple options at each offensive line position.
Monroe is also an insurance policy on a rookie left tackle. Stanley needs to bulk up and there are questions he needs to answer on the field. Hopefully the Ravens were right about Stanley. If they’re not, departing from Monroe makes little to no sense.
The Ravens have a few different lineups that would work. The first option is having from left to right: Monroe, Stanley, Jeremy Zuttah, Marshall Yanda, Rick Wagner. This would keep things in place. Stanley would replace Kelechi Osemele and eventually move to left tackle in the future.
Another option is: Monroe, Yanda, Zuttah, Wagner, Stanley. In this lineup Wagner goes to his college position and Yanda moves to left guard. If you want to get Stanley ready to be a left tackle, playing right tackle is on the job training.
Next: Cornerback Is A Glaring Need For The Ravens
If the Ravens are really sold on Stanley he could start at left tackle. Even in this scenario keeping Monroe is worth it. Having two good players at one position is never a bad thing. Monroe should remain a Raven. The Ravens should not take any talent away from the offensive line.