OWINGS MILLS —Patrick Mekari is a valuable player for the Ravens because he can play every position on the offensive line.
Sometimes, though, it’s a hindrance because it prevents him from being a starter.
Coach John Harbaugh would understand if Mekari sometimes gets frustrated. However, Harbaugh knows how valuable Mekari is to the team.
Ealier this year, Mekari was named the most underappreciated player for all 32 NFL teams by NFL.com.
“[Mekari]’s greatest strength is his versatility. It’s also probably the greatest … [It’s a] thorn in his side a little bit,” Harbaugh said. “He doesn’t get the chance always to lock down at one position, but that’s a good problem to have, and we’re trying work through that, too.”
Last season, Mekari started four games at left tackle when Ronnie Stanley was injured, and three at right tackle when Morgan Moses was sidelined. He was also in the rotation at guard and can snap the ball to quarterback Lamar Jackson as a center, Ravens offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris said that Mekari has all of the talent to be a starter but there is value in being able to adapt to different roles.
“In my eyes, he’s a starter, but he’s in the position where he can play multiple positions, and that’s the role that we’d like to see him in right now,” D’Alessandris said. “Does that mean … If we have an injury, guess what? You’re starting, Pat. But it’s not that he can’t start, it’s just that we see the versatility and the benefit of that opportunity. There are not many guys in the NFL that can play center, both guards and tackle. The last time we had a guy here that could do both was James Hurst, and he played both tackles and both guard positions, and he just retired with a fantastic career. Pat’s having a nice career.”
Mekari is a team player and is willing to play anywhere the team needs him. When pressed, he said it is not his decision to be a starter and deferred to the coaches.
“I just want to play, and I want to help the team. In whatever way that looks like, that’s up to the coaches and front office,” Mekari said. “I just want to play and help the team, and that’s for them to decide.”
The Ravens signed Mekari to a three-year contract extension in 2021, which means he will be a free agent after the season. General manager Eric DeCosta could offer Mekari a new deal because of his value to the team.
For now, Mekari is focused on helping the offensive line get ready for the season. Left tackle Ronnie Stanley and center Tyler Linderbaum are the only returning starters, which means the Ravens have to fill both guard positions and right tackle to protect quarterback Lamar Jackson and create openings for the running game.
Maybe, Mekari will wind up being one of those starters.
“We’re getting better every day,” Mekari said. “It’s early in camp, [and] there are guys shining and there is work being done – it’s so early, [but] I think we’re heading in the right direction, and there’s only up to go. I think we are going to be pretty damn good.”
