Alex Mack could be poached by four teams, Colts and Ravens in it
Cleveland Browns center Alex Mack (55) before a game at FirstEnergy Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports
Cleveland Browns star center Alex Mack is arguably the best player at the position in the game today, and he should receive some qualifying offers for the Browns to mull over. They were wise to use the transition tag on him in order to keep him around and prevent him from hitting the free agent market, but he could still be poached away by teams with a huge hole at the center position. The Browns have the ability to match any offer that Mack receives, but a team could make an offer that the Browns won’t be willing- or even able- to match.
The NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that there are four teams with interest of “varying levels” in Mack, and these teams are “waiting for the frenzy to die down” before making Mack and the Browns an offer. It’s going to be interesting to see which teams are interested in trying to steal away the elite interior offensive lineman, but we know two of the teams that are interested.
A follower asked Rapoport if the Indianapolis Colts are in on the Mack sweepstakes, and the NFL Network insider replied that the Colts are indeed one of the interest teams, and he added that the Baltimore Ravens are also interested. Both teams are desperate for help at center, and they could use a player with Mack’s amazing pass protection and solid run blocking. Neither team received good protection at the heart of the line, and they also desperately need someone who can stabilize the interior and provide significant push. While the Colts have more money, the Ravens should also have enough capital to make a competitive offer for Mack, and they have the added motivation of wanting to snag away a division rival’s star.