OTL: Despite Rumors, Aiyuk Not Headed to AFC North

Well, it was a fun thought…

The internet buzzed about with rumors of San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk potentially getting traded on Sunday. It looks like it was smoke without any real fire, but let’s look at the life cycle of a rumor that linked Aiyuk to the Ravens.

BREAKING: Per @LegendSports7, 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk has officially requested a trade.

The report lists the Steelers & Ravens as teams that are heavily interested in acquiring the star wideout, along with a third “mystery” team

Here. We. Go. pic.twitter.com/k6uzkkYiBt

— Kyle Yates (@KyleYNFL) April 14, 2024

Kyle Yates informed his followers on the app I still call Twitter, that Aiyuk requested to be traded. The juicy bit of this idea was when he told us that two AFC North teams (the Ravens and the Steelers) were interested. The idea of Aiyuk in Pittsburgh isn’t appealing to the Flock. It would give the Steelers a boost, especially considering they parted ways with Diontae Johnson this offseason.

A tag team of Zay Flowers and Aiyuk though, that’s an idea worth Baltimore’s time. We’re talking about a receiver with back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons with over 70 catches. If the Ravens pulled off a trade to get Aiyuk, it would power up the Ravens passing game considerably. With Aiyuk and Mark Andrews, the opposing defenses would have a hard time focusing on Flowers, the budding star of the unit. Aiyuk could be a number one receiver, Andrews could keep doing his thing while Flowers would benefit as the ultimate X-Factor.

But don’t get too excited.

Brandon Aiyuk’s agent denies his client has requested a trade from the #49ers. https://t.co/8iDq7ubKyT

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) April 14, 2024

NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo confirmed that Aiyuk’s agent has debunked this. Ari Melrov has done the same.

#49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk has NOT requested a trade, per his agent @RyanWilliamsA1, despite some recent social media chatter.

Probably a good reminder: Stop believing people who consistently get things wrong. pic.twitter.com/Ajg8pw5Q7l

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) April 14, 2024

Let’s move right along.

That’s Pro Bowl @TLinderbaum pic.twitter.com/iyFyOrFZjU

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) April 12, 2024

The Ravens are nearing the 2024 NFL Draft, and they can only hope it goes as well as it did two years ago when they picked Kyle Hamilton and Tyler Linderbaum in the first round. While Hamilton has always had a lot of attention on him, especially now going into his third year, Linderbaum deserves the accolades just as much. The Ravens official X account put some respect on his name (as the cool kids say). They shared a graphic showing impressive stats for the Iowa product. Linderbaum had no penalties and allowed no sacks on 610 pass blocking snaps in the 2023 season. Linderbaum has been a rock for the offensive line. Hopefully, this will serve as a timely reminder that offensive line can be an exciting investment in the first round.

Sticking with the official Baltimore Ravens account, Ryan Mink has gotten into the exciting world of mock drafts. The veteran Ravens writer admits that this is his first mock draft, and he’s thinking about the big guys up front.

This is what Mink wrote about his selection of Georgia tackle Amarius Mims:

It seems players fall to the Ravens every year and it happens again. Mims’ lack of college experience (just eight starts in three years) could scare off some teams, but Ravens Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken is well aware of his talent from coaching him in college. Mims is massive and could step in at right tackle immediately before potentially moving to left tackle down the road.

Mink has an interesting train of thought here. Remember, the Ravens shrugged off injury concerns last year for Andrew Vorhees, because he has the potential to be a stud guard moving forward. Mims has a build comparable to Orlando Brown Jr., whom the team drafted in 2018. Mims showed up at the NFL Scouting Combine weighing 340 pounds as a 6-8 wall of a man.

The latest CBS Sports Mock Draft has the Ravens going offensive line as well. It can’t be stressed enough that offensive line help is the most likely target for the Ravens with the 30^th overall pick. Before I unveil the pick, this mock draft is notable because it has seven offensive linemen going on the first night of the draft. It’s good news for a lineman-needy team that the experts see so many options for them in the first round. The mock draft by Kyle Stackpole has the Ravens taking Jordan Morgan from Arizona. While Morgan isn’t the giant that Mims is, 6-5 and 311 pounds isn’t anything to sneeze at.

Chad Reuter of NFL.com had an interesting article where he picked the perfect first two picks for every NFL team. For the Ravens he chose Oklahoma tackle Tyler Guyton and UNC receiver Devontez Walker. This is what he wrote about Walker, the second-round option. “Walker could be a steal late in the second round for a Ravens squad in need of another receiver. Second-year star Zay Flowers could make plays from the slot with Walker and Rashod Bateman, who is entering a contract year, lining up outside.” This sounds like a smart strategy. Shoring up the offensive line and getting that missing link on the outside for the passing game, is certainly sound practice. Walker scored 19 receiving touchdowns in three years with the Tar Heels.

We’re getting close to the draft. You can feel it. Start your week on the right track, stay positive and keep the Raven way in your heart. Draft day will be here before you know it.

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