The Trade Market for Eugene Monroe

As Wola Odeniran reported here, the Baltimore Ravens have put maligned left tackle Eugene Monroe on the trading block. What can the Ravens expect to receive in return for Monroe?

A few recent trades for offensive tackles may shed some light on Monroe's trade value:

In April of this year, the Denver Broncos traded left tackle Ryan Clady to the New York Jets. The trade netted Denver a fifth round pick in exchange for Clady and a seventh round pick. Clady was once regarded as an above average blindside protector, but his career has been derailed by injuries, missing 30 games over the last three seasons. Clady agreed to restructure his contract in order to facilitate the trade. Clady will play in 2016 for $6 million and has a $10 million option for 2017.

The Browns and Broncos reportedly discussed a trade for elite, reliable tackle Joe Thomas last November. The Broncos eventually balked at the Browns asking price of a 2016 second round draft pick or a 2017 first.

During the 2013 offseason, the Chiefs and Dolphins discussed a trade that would have sent Brandon Albert to Miami. Kansas City was reportedly asking for a second round draft pick. Miami ended up waiting until after the season to sign Albert as a free agent, inking him to a 5-year $47 million contract.

In October of 2013, the Ravens traded for Monroe. The Jaguars agreed to ship him out for a fourth and fifth round pick. The Jaguars covered a large percentage of Monroe’s contract to consummate the trade with the cap-strapped Ravens. At the time of the trade, Monroe was in the final year of his rookie contract.

In the summer of 2012, the Carolina Panthers traded another injury plagued offensive tackle, Jeff Otah, to the New York Jets. Otah was a former first round pick and very good player, but chronic knee injuries eroded his ability. A conditional seventh round pick was all Carolina could pry away for Otah. He never played a down for the Jets.

It may prove difficult to find much value in trading Monroe with his extensive injury history and questionable desire to play hurt. If the Ravens can find a trade partner, they will have to absorb the remaining $6.6 million in signing bonus proration from his contract while passing on $20 million in base salary over three years to the trade partner.

The contract size coupled with the injuries should diminish Monroe's trade value. Rumors that the Ravens will release him if they don’t trade him further reduce their negotiating leverage.  Unfortunately, it seems Monroe will be remembered in Baltimore as a much more costly version of Jared Gaither.