Why a La’el Collins trade makes sense for the Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens will be searching for offensive line upgrades this offseason, and one golden opportunity has presented itself in the form of Dallas Cowboys’ right tackle La’el Collins.

Collins is reportedly on the trade block this offseason with the Cowboys attempting to find a trade partner for their talented offensive lineman.

The Ravens should be one of the teams most interested in a move for Collins. Even with their limited cap space, Collins represents an immediate upgrade and someone whose contract offers plenty of financial flexibility.

Pro Football Network’s Tony Pauline is reporting that the Cowboys would “accept anything in return for Collins, even a late-round pick.” This is really a no-brainer for general manager Eric DeCosta.

The Ravens must consider trading for La’el Collins

Collins has spent the last seven years with the Cowboys, serving as the team’s right tackle for the majority of the last five years. However, the Cowboys coaching staff has soured on him in recent years due to his inability to stay on the field.

Collins missed the entire 2020 season due to a hip injury that required surgery. In his place, former undrafted free agent Terence Steele stepped into a starting role and played pretty well.

The expectation was that Collins would regain his starting role upon his return from injury in 2021. That was until the NFL hit him with a five-game suspension for a missed drug test.

Collins would return from his suspension, but instead of being inserted back into the starting lineup, the Cowboys kept him on the bench. Dallas was looking to send a message to their veteran offensive tackle.

Collins found his way back into the starting lineup following an injury to Tyron Smith and that injury, coupled with a disastrous outing Steele had on Thanksgiving Day, ended the musical chairs of right tackles for the Cowboys.

Still, the relationship has evidently soured to the point of no return. Collins is due to make over $15 million in 2022, and the Cowboys just want out of the deal.

The Ravens have an obvious hole at right tackle and could use a player like Collins who, not too long ago, was one of the best right tackles in the NFL. And at just 28-years-old, he still has plenty left in the tank.

Any team trading for Collins would take on cap hits of just $10 million in 2022, 2023, and 2024 and as resident Ravens cap expert Brian McFarland notes, the Ravens would be able to cut his cap hit down to $4 million in 2022 by restructuring his contract.

The Ravens have ample Day 3 selections in the 2022 NFL Draft, and they could very easily throw the Cowboys their sixth-round pick in exchange for a player who would not only fill the hole at right tackle but serve as a legitimate offensive line upgrade.

A La’el Collins trade makes a ton of sense for the Ravens. Here’s to hoping they get a deal done.