OWINGS MILLS — The Ravens’ offensive line is a work in progress because the team has to replace three starters from last season.
The uncertainty is one of the biggest storylines heading into training camp.
As it stands, the Ravens’ offensive line is ranked 25th among the NFL’s 32 teams, according to Pro Football Focus.
“For parts of the 2023 season, the Ravens’ offensive line looked like a top-tier unit,” PFF”s Zoltán Buday wrote. “However, the team lost three starters: Kevin Zeitler, John Simpson and Morgan Moses. And while Tyler Linderbaum is already one of the best centers in the NFL, Ronnie Stanley has not been the same since his injury in 2020.
“The rest of the offensive line will consist of either unproven young players or offensive linemen who flashed ability as backups but have yet to show they can repeat those outings as starters.”
The Detroit Lions had the top-rated offensive line, followed by the Philadelphia Eagles, Indianapolis Colts, Cleveland Browns and New York Jets.
The New Orleans Saints had the lowest-rated offensive line despite having four former first-round selections.
Stanley, at left tackle, and Linderbaum, at center, are the only returning starters for the Ravens from last year’s team. Coach John Harbaugh wants to decide on the other three starters early in training camp so the players can get used to playing next to one another and getting their timing down.
The main competition at left guard is between Josh Jones and Andrew Vorhees. The Ravens like Vorhees, who was selected in the seventh round of the 2023 draft but missed his rookie season because of a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Jones is an experienced player who has started 24 games over the past three seasons at both tackle positions and right guard. Jones looked solid during the offseason workouts.
At right guard, Ben Cleveland and Sala Aumavae-Laulu are battling for a starting position. Cleveland has started seven games over his three-year career with the Ravens and is the favorite to become the starter. Aumavae-Laulu was selected by the Ravens in the sixth round (199th overall) of the 2023 NFL draft and has played well enough to challenge for Cleveland.
Daniel Faalele and rookie Roger Rosengarten are the top candidates to become the starter at right tackle. Faalele was selected by the Ravens in the fourth round (110th overall) of the 2022 NFL draft and is evolving into a dependable player. Rosengarten was a two-year starter at right tackle for the Washington Huskies, protecting the blind side of left-handed quarterback Michael Penix Jr. He did not allow a sack in his college career, according to PFF.
Veteran Patrick Mekari can play all five positions on the offensive line and the Ravens like having him available off the bench in case of injuries.
