With The First Pick
Fansided

Where does Eugene Monroe end up?

By jonfox

Dec 14, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens tackle Eugene Monroe (60) during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 14, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens tackle Eugene Monroe (60) during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Eugene Monroe’s tenure with the Baltimore Ravens has come to an end after few frustrating seasons.

After drafting Ronnie Stanley, it would be only a matter of time before the Ravens moved on from Eugene Monroe. I believe that I mentioned a number of times that the Ravens would and should make a deal involving Monroe so that they don’t put Stanley in the same bad situation that the Rams put Greg Robinson: playing a raw left tackle prospect at guard because they had a vet tackle that they were too attached to.

On Wednesday, the Ravens released Monroe after finding the trade market lacking. Multiple teams discussed a deal with the Ravens, but nothing could be worked out. So where are the logical landing spots for him?

-Tampa Bay: Donovan Smith was functional as a left tackle for them in 2015, but Winston will need something better. The Bucs were 5th worst in the NFL in 2015 for negative runs to the left hand side and 4th worst in QB hits. Monroe might be overrated, but he could represent a clear upgrade for them. Also with $12.078 million in cap room, they could make Monroe a big offer.

-Detroit: They just drafted Taylor Decker to get a swing in the batting cage at left tackle because Reiff just isn’t good enough to man that spot. Signing Monroe would put Decker at his more natural right hand side and allow them to deal or release Reiff who’s in a contract year.

-Carolina: Ask Cam Newton if he would have liked a left tackle upgrade before the Super bowl. With 28 million in cap room, the Panthers could sign Monroe to a fairly substantial deal without ruining their chances of extending Kawann Short. Also, the Panthers are a contender right now. Adding Monroe would address arguably their biggest need.

-New York Giants: They have the cap room and the need for a quicker blind side blocker for Eli Manning. This would seem to maximize their talent since Flowers would be best on the right hand side. The Giants were reportedly interested in a trade for Monroe, but weren’t offering enough to make any deal happen. That they were talking trade means that they’ll be interested in signing him now.

-Indianapolis: Who’s their left tackle going to be? Castonzo? Putting him there is probably why they were 2nd worst in the NFL in 2015 in QB hits and 4th worst in negative runs to the left side in the same season. I really like Le’Raven Clark, but he’s a project and needs time to work on his handwork. They also have plenty of cap room to make Monroe a healthy offer.

-New England: Solder is occasionally a good player but he’s never been able to truly replace Matt Light at left tackle. They don’t have the cap room to make Monroe a major offer but he would be chasing a ring with the Pats. And Belichick loves collecting offensive linemen.

If I were Monroe, I’d choose the Panthers. They’re a contender already, can make a big money offer and need an upgrade at left tackle. My guess is that he chooses between them and the Giants. The Giants showed the most interest in him as a trade target, so they’ll certainly be interested now.

Home/NFL News