Ebony Bird
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A move inside to guard is ideal for Orlando Brown Jr.

By Richard Bradshaw

ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 02: Orlando Brown #78 of the Oklahoma Sooners blocks Innis Gaines #6 of the TCU Horned Frogs in the third quarter during Big 12 Championship at AT&T Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 02: Orlando Brown #78 of the Oklahoma Sooners blocks Innis Gaines #6 of the TCU Horned Frogs in the third quarter during Big 12 Championship at AT&T Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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Taken with the 83rd pick of the 2018 NFL Draft, big things are expected of Orlando Brown in year one. However, tackle may not be his best bet to start.

Count me in with the Ravens fans who weren’t huge supporters of the Orlando Brown selection this past April.

Despite Brown’s lineage to the NFL, let alone the Ravens, he seems too out of place to be a quality level offensive tackle. Yes, he’s a 6’8″ 345-lbs. and a behemoth of a man, but that doesn’t automatically make him an elite tackle. In fact, that almost hinders his play.

Brown is sluggish out of his awkward stance. Speed rushers will kill him at the pro level. And for as big as Brown is, he doesn’t consistently out-muscle defenders the way you’d expect him to. Many have compared Orlando Brown to former ninth overall pick, Ereck Flowers. That isn’t a compliment by any stretch of the imagination.

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So then what are the Ravens to do about Brown? Easy: Move him inside to guard.

The Ravens just re-signed James Hurst to a four-year $17.5 million contract, likely meaning they envision him as the starting right tackle for 2018. However, looking at the interior of the Ravens offensive line, uncertainty would be an understatement.

The Ravens need a difference maker inside

Names like Alex Lewis, Nico Siragusa, and Matt Skura will demand the majority of the attention for the left guard spot. The Ravens also drafted Bradley Bozeman in the sixth round, but he is more likely to compete for the center job. Thankfully, the Ravens will have right guard locked down by future Hall of Famer Marshal Yanda.

With no clear front-runner for the left guard spot, it makes sense to throw Brown’s name into the hat. After all, we saw another former Raven dominate in a move inside to guard despite being drafted as a tackle: Kelechi Osemele.

Orlando Brown may be too slow for handling outside duties at tackle, but he could dominate inside with his length and brute strength. Asking Brown not to kick-slide out against edge rushers and instead fight off interior defensive linemen sounds like a recipe for success.

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Even if the Ravens plan for Brown to eventually take over as the team’s future at right tackle, getting his feet wet is of major importance. It’s vital he learn the ropes of the NFL now and be allowed to ease himself into a prominent role.

If Brown can be anything like his father, the Ravens may have found themselves a steal in the third round. The best way to ensure this happens, however, is to set him up for success. To do that, the Ravens should look to move Brown to the inside of the offensive line.

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