Chiefs Reportedly Will Target Ronnie Stanley If He Hits the Open Market
After the news broke Wednesday that the Kansas City Chiefs are expected to trade All-Pro guard Joe Thuney to the Chicago Bears in a cost-saving move, pundits began speculating what the end game is for Kansas City.
The word is that the Chiefs, whose offensive line was exposed in their blowout loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl, will target Ronnie Stanley in free agency to protect Patrick Mahomes' blind side.
It was reported earlier this week that the Ravens were expected to re-sign the Pro Bowl left tackle "in the coming days," but a deal has yet to be finalized. Teams can begin negotiating with free agents this Monday at 4 p.m. ET.
"When free agency begins, the Chiefs will target Ronnie Stanley, the nine-year veteran who is the best left tackle available on the market, according to sources," The Athletic's Nate Taylor wrote. "Stanley's experience and value, in both the run and pass game when healthy, are why the Chiefs believe he can be a major upgrade at the position and also be a dependable starter for multiple years. After all, the Chiefs have started a different left tackle in each of their five Super Bowl appearances over the last six years."
NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah said the move for the Chiefs "that makes the most sense" is pursuing Stanley if he hits the open market.
"If you go that route, now you just take those resources, we get the left tackle, which was a major need for them, we solve that," Jeremiah said on "The Rich Eisen Show." "I think people are looking at it going, 'Man, their offensive line got their butts kicked, why are they subtracting, not adding?' Well they haven't had a chance to add yet."
Fox Sports' Chase Daniel also believes the Chiefs should make a run at Stanley.
The New England Patriots, who have the most cap space in the league, are another team that reportedly has Stanley on its radar.
While the Ravens have made it clear that re-signing Stanley is a priority, they undoubtedly have contingency plans if they can't finalize a deal.
Moving 2024 second-rounder Roger Rosengarten from right tackle to left tackle is an option. The Ravens also could look to the draft, free agency, or at trade possibilities.
Pundit Projects Ravens' First Three Draft Picks
The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec projected which players the Ravens will take in each round in his latest mock draft. Here's a look at his picks for their first three selections:
Round 1, No. 27: Donovan Jackson, G/T, Ohio State
"With all due respect to Jackson, a plug-and-play guy at a position of significant need, the goal was to get an edge rusher here. … Jackson, meanwhile, would be a safe and sound selection for a Baltimore team that may need to replace Stanley and Patrick Mekari, along with reserves Ben Cleveland and Josh Jones. Jackson has played tackle at a high level, but he profiles as an NFL guard with Pro Bowl potential.
"He's 6-foot-4, 315 pounds and has the athleticism and skill set to succeed in any scheme. The Ravens haven't picked a guard in the first round since Ben Grubbs in 2007. Given where they are as a team, it makes sense to grab an immediate starter and offensive line upgrade."
Round 2, No. 59: Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss
"This isn't a great or deep cornerback class. If the Ravens, who will likely lose starter Brandon Stephens to free agency, want to add an immediate contributor in this draft, they'll have to strike early. Amos is one of several corners — Kentucky's Maxwell Hairston, East Carolina's Shavon Revel Jr. and Florida State's Azareye'h Thomas are among the others — expected to be drafted in the second round.
"At 6-foot-1, 195 pounds and with 4.43 speed, Amos is an outside cornerback who specializes in press coverage and has the length and speed to disrupt receivers and take away deep completions. He and 2024 first-round pick Nate Wiggins on the outside with veteran Marlon Humphrey in the slot would make for a very talented and fast Ravens cornerback group."
Round 3, No. 91: Bradyn Swinson, Edge, LSU
"Day 2 edge rushers haven't produced a whole lot for the Ravens in recent years, but Swinson has the measurables (6-foot-4, 255 pounds) and talent to change that. He broke out in his fifth college season with 8 1/2 sacks, two forced fumbles and 58 tackles. He followed that up with a strong showing at the combine last week.
"The Ravens have a lot of work to do at outside linebacker with Kyle Van Noy, Odafe Oweh and David Ojabo all entering the final year of their contracts. Swinson, who knows how to use his length and explosiveness, would fit in nicely with that group."
T.J. Tampa Could Step Up in Year 2
The Ravens will be looking to bolster their cornerback depth this offseason, and while they'll likely make additions, T.J. Tampa is an in-house player who could make an impact.
Several pundits believed the Ravens got a steal when they nabbed Tampa in the fourth round of last year's draft, but injuries limited him to seven games.
"Tampa has endless attributes: height, length, speed, and physicality," USA Today’s Larry Brown Jr. wrote. "Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr struggled to find a No. 3 defensive back to help defensive backs Marlon Humphrey and Nate Wiggins last season. Perhaps, Tampa might very well be the man for the job to replace a struggling Brandon Stephens and a depreciated Tre'Davious White on the back end."
