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Russell Street Report Street Talk Harbaugh Proposes Interesting LT Option

After Kelechi Osemele departed to sign with the Oakland Raiders, we were left to assume that Eugene Monroe would be the starting left tackle by default in 2016. Only one player on the roster has significant playing time at the position. That player, James Hurst, performed terribly when he did play.

The Ravens’ only other clear option is Notre Dame OT Ronnie Stanley in the draft. The narrative among Ravens fans would have you thinking that Stanley is the safe pick for the Ravens, but reviews of him are mixed in the draft community. Some, like Mike Mayock of NFL Media, consider him just barely a notch below Ole Miss OT Laremy Tunsil, who many think will go first overall. Others, like Kyle Posey of Bolts from the Blue, don’t even think he is worth a first round pick.

Such confusion doesn’t exactly jive with the “safe pick” talk.

Neither of those two options are particularly appealing. One requires that the Ravens trust a player who hasn’t been on the field for most of the past two seasons since signing his blockbuster contract. The other requires that you put your faith in a rookie who has more question marks than you would like for a top 10 pick.

Harbaugh, during the Coaches’ Breakfast this morning in Boca Rotan, FL, laid out a third option.

Harbaugh said there will be a competition at left tackle. Said Rick Wagner could be an option there and they may still add one. — Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiecsun) March 22, 2016

Um…what?

Ricky Wagner had a pretty successful sophomore campaign in the NFL. He was an important part of the rise of the Ravens’ offensive line and running game. He graded out as one of the best right tackles in the league that season. But moving him to left tackle would mean he would be playing a completely different position. We don’t know how effective he can be there, and it opens a hole at the right tackle position. Even if you move Yanda there, you have to put a lesser player (Jensen, maybe?) to right guard and you get worse at two positions.

The other option Harbaugh proposed would be more comfortable. If they add another free agent, they wouldn’t have to downgrade any position along the offensive line, and it would upgrade the one that needs it. If they were to go this route, whom would the Ravens sign?

The answer to that question should still raise concern. The Ravens could go with Jake Long, who most recently played for the Falcons on a one-year deal. He would factor into the compensatory pick formula. Former Raider Khalif Barnes would, too. Will Beatty of the Giants would be an option if the Ravens wanted to avoid that losing a pick in 2017, but he has his own concerns coming off of a season-ending injury.

None of those three options is a clear upgrade over a healthy Monroe.

Of course, Harbaugh’s comments may be lip service. The Ravens could just be trying to light a fire under Eugene Monroe, whose offseason medical marijuana advocacy has drawn enough attention that Harbaugh was forced to comment on it at today’s breakfast.

Harbaugh on Eugene Monroe's medical marijuana stance: "I promise you, he does not speak for the organization." — Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiecsun) March 22, 2016

Whatever Harbaugh’s motive may be; I hope his comments do push Monroe. I hope that he can play as well as he did during the 2013 season.

Otherwise, the Ravens may be forced to make an uncomfortable decision. Whether that would be to draft a risky prospect, pick up what is left in free agency, or move Wagner to left tackle remains to be seen.