The Baltimore Ravens have officially lost another mainstay member of their coaching staff. The Cleveland Browns hired former Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken as their new head coach on Wednesday in a shocking move that shook up the AFC North.
While losing Monken could allow Jesse Minter to go in an exciting new direction, there's a chance that this move could be the first of many. Upcoming free agents currently on the Ravens roster could be enticed to follow their OC to Cleveland.
Fans in Baltimore should be hoping their team can keep these players around instead of watching them join a division rival.
3 Ravens players Todd Monken could take with him to Browns
Tyler Linderbaum
Center Tyler Linderbaum isn't just the most prized free agent in Baltimore; he might be the top name in the entire free agent class. If he chooses to leave the Ravens, he'll have plenty of suitors this offseason.
The idea of staying with Monken in a familiar system could be enticing to Linderbaum. The Browns don't have the cap space to outbid other teams looking for the Pro-Bowl center, but this coaching move could give them a leg up in the pursuit.
Daniel Faalele
Sticking on the offensive line, the Browns could be motivated to make a move for guard Daniel Faalele in the offseason. Cleveland is set to lose most of their starting offensive line in free agency, and they'll be looking for low-cost replacements. Faalele, while not always the most technically sound blocker, has the size and strength to hold down a starting spot.
If the Ravens watch two of their starting offensive linemen leave to join a division rival, it could cause chaos that would be difficult to recover from.
DeAndre Hopkins
Most Ravens fans wouldn't be too worried about losing DeAndre Hopkins in the offseason. He made a few big plays in his lone year with the team, but the 33-year-old is past the point of being a primary option in the NFL. He caught just 22 passes for the Ravens this season, operating in a limited role in Monken's offense.
Still, it's not fun to imagine him making a highlight-worthy catch for the Browns next season. Cleveland is thin at the wide receiver position. They'll likely spend an early draft pick on a pass-catcher, but don't be surprised if they bring in a veteran presence like Hopkins to mentor the young group.