According to reports, the Baltimore Ravens have traded Jeremy Zuttah to the San Francisco 49ers:
We have traded center Jeremy Zuttah to the San Francisco 49ers and swapped sixth-round picks: https://t.co/ar90cvKkjL pic.twitter.com/9IkamyQhDt
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) March 15, 2017
The move isn’t surprising. Earlier today, NFL Network’s Aditi Kinkhabwala reported that the Ravens were going to release Jeremy Zuttah. Everybody ran with the report, ourselves included. It made sense. Zuttah had not been playing up to expectations at the center position; it was a problem in 2016.
Looks like #Ravens bidding adieu to veteran OL Jeremy Zuttah. Person apprised of team's plans says he'll be released today, 6 days into FA.
— Aditi Kinkhabwala (@AKinkhabwala) March 15, 2017
The trade is fantastic news for the Ravens. Not only do the Ravens get free the cap space from parting with Zuttah, but they get to draft sooner in the second round. The Ravens basically got something, for a player they were going to cut.
The Ravens have questions on the offensive line, but they already knew that. Right tackle and center are two positions that the Ravens have to come up with a plan for. The fact that the Ravens are freeing up cap space, does indicate that they are working on another addition. It wouldn’t be shocking if they brought in another free agent or two. We’re still waiting for Claiborne to be signed, after it was reported by Jason La Canfora that he would likely join the Ravens.
The Ravens have been pretty active already this offseason. They signed Tony Jefferson, Danny Woodhead and Brandon Williams thus far.
Next: 5 Pass Rusher The Ravens Can Look At In The Draft
Zuttah gave the Ravens some good football, but it was time for a change at the center position. The Ravens knew that they needed a change at a lot of positions. They went 8-8 and missed the playoffs for the third time in four years. The Ravens may have even more work to do on the offensive line, but the fact that the Ravens are still going at it is encouraging.