The Baltimore Ravens traded away right tackle Orlando Brown to the Kansas City Chiefs on Friday. That deal leaves the former with two first-round picks in the 2021 NFL Draft. Odds are good that the Ravens might look to use one of those two first-round selections to move up higher to select a tackle. All of that noted, reports now indicate that the Ravens are set to sign Pittsburgh Steelers unrestricted free agent tackle Alejandro Villanueva soon, likely after the draft.
If Alejandro Villanueva were signed by the Ravens, then he would likely be the starting right tackle, unless starring left tackle Ronnie Stanley isn’t ready to play come the start of the regular season due a serious ankle injury that he sustained against the Steelers in November.
Villanueva received a very chilly reception during free agency. Outside of the Ravens, there have been no reports that any other teams are interested in the Steelers’ long-time left tackle. Perhaps the Ravens might not even sign Villanueva until after the compensatory qualification period of free agency ends, which is the next week after the draft takes place. Doing so would prevent the Steelers from receiving any kind of compensation for the loss of Villanueva.
Another interesting notion related to Villanueva ultimately signing with the Ravens and playing right tackle for them is that it would set up at least two battles between he and Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt in 2021.
Villanueva has been the Steelers’ starting left tackle since the middle of the 2015 season. He never missed a game during that span.
