OWINGS MILLS – The Ravens released their first depth chart heading into the preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday, adding some intrigue to the lineup with the listed starters on the offensive line.
Naturally, the starters on offense include quarterback Lamar Jackson, running back Derrick Henry, wide receivers Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman and tight end Mark Andrews.
Center Tyler Linderbaum and left tackle Ronnie Stanley are the returning starters on the offensive line. The new starters include second-year player Andrew Vorhees at left guard. Daniel Faalele, who has mostly been used as a tackle, is listed as the starting right guard. The versatile Patrick Mekari is listed as the starter at right tackle, ahead of rookie Roger Rosengarten.
Faalele has impressed the coaches with his extended time at guard throughout training camp. His size also makes him a prime candidate to start.
“Well, one, [he’s] 6-8, 6-9, [and] he’s 300 – I’m going to give him the low end – 380, and he can move his feet, he’s athletic, he’s flexible, and he’s intelligent, so let’s see what happens,” Ravens offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris said. “If he can, that’s going to be a feather in our cap – we’ll see how that goes, but it’s a work in progress, and all of them are. It’s the development of players until they build some experience and confidence, and that’s what’s going to come with him, too.”
Thr lineup could change before the regular-season opener against the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs on September 5th.
On defense, many of the starters are back, including defensive tackles Justin Madubuike and Michael Pierce, nose tackle Travis Jones, and linebackers Odafe Oweh, Roquan Smith and Kyle Van Noy.
There is no surprise that Trenton Simspon replaces Patrick Queen as the other inside linebacker. Queen signed with the Steelers this offseason.
The starting secondary is also intact from last season with cornerbacks Brandon Stephen and Marlon Humphrey and safeties Kyle Hamilton and Marcus Williams.
Deonte Harty, who missed practice time this week, is listed as the starting returner.
“He’s got a nagging soft tissue, lower-leg deal,” coach John Harbaugh said. “He’s had those in the past – it’s something that he does deal with. I think he’ll be fine and get plenty of reps. He’s had so many return reps generally, but you would want him out here in this new [kickoff rule], getting a feel and the timing for it.”
