Oakland Raiders free agency: Trent Brown grade, reaction
The Oakland Raiders kicked off free agency by signing Trent Brown, and along with Kolton Miller, the team has now solidified the offensive tackle positions.
The offseason started off with a boom for the Oakland Raiders. The Silver and Black acquired All-Pro receiver Antonio Brown via trade Saturday night from the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The tone for free agency was set by this Boomin trade as the Raiders signed offensive tackle Trent Brown the very next morning. Brown was a vital piece to the New England Patriots offensive line, which helped lead the way to yet another Super Bowl victory. The initial idea of bringing in Brown is for him to start at left tackle, while Kolton Miller moves to right tackle.
However, I wouldn’t jump to any conclusions. Everything still has to be sorted out in the coming months, but I’d bet that Brown takes over at right tackle to maintain Miller’s development at left tackle.
Contract details
Brown signed a four year $66 million deal with $36.25 million in guaranteed money. This deal made Brown the highest paid offensive lineman, which he rightfully deserved. Per Pro Football Talk, Brown will receive a $10 million roster bonus and a fully guaranteed salary of $5 million in 2019. His salary in 2020 is a fully guaranteed $21.25 million, which means that if he performs poorly the Raiders can get out of the deal after 2020.
National reaction
Von Miller on Trent Brown in August 2017:
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) March 11, 2019
"He's the best right tackle in the NFL. And he may even be a top-five tackle, period, in the NFL. There’s not another tackle who’s that tall, that big and can move the way he moves."
Now becomes the highest paid OL in NFL history.
New Raiders LT Trent Brown will take over Raiders’ left tackle job, and former first-round pick Kolton Miller is expected to slide over to righ tackle. Raiders making moves.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2019
Soon-to-be Raiders LT Trent Brown started two playoff games vs. Chargers and Chiefs before this year's Super Bowl. Allowed one hurry each game on 95 combined dropbacks. Trust the Raiders studied film closely before investing in Brown to join AFC West. https://t.co/56OJ4O6WsC
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) March 11, 2019
Grade
A. . Tackle. Oakland Raiders. TRENT BROWN
The Raiders took some heat for making Trent Brown the highest paid offensive lineman. However, he’s well worth the mountain of money to secure Derek Carr who was sacked the most times in his career last season. The Raiders could also get out of the deal in a few years without any cap hit, so the structure of the contract is actually team friendly.
Joyner is a free safety, and should be used there. dark. Next
Regardless of which side Brown plays he’ll be a stout tackle. He’ll bully every defensive end on running plays and act as a brick wall on passing downs. The Raiders needed an immediate fix at tackle because Brandon Parker does not look promising. Now some of there worries with the offensive line are put to rest.