OWINGS MILLS — The Ravens value Pat Mekari’s versatility to play all five positions on the offensive line, but for now, it looks as if he will be the starting right tackle.
The Ravens selected Roger Rosengarten in the second round of this year’s draft from the University of Washington to compete for the job at right tackle. However, Rosengarten is still adjusting to the speed and physicality of the NFL, which led to Mekari getting the start against the Kansas City Chiefs in the regular-season opener.
“[Rosengarten] is a talented player. It would be smart to develop him as we go,” coach John Harbaugh said. “You’ve got the veteran guy; Pat Mekari, I think, is about as solid of a player as you’re ever going to see – knows what he’s doing, trustworthy, been there before. That environment … Pat was [who] we thought was the best there, and I think going forward, but also, Roger is an up-and-coming player, and we want to make sure that we keep giving him opportunities to grow.”
Mekari played 60 snaps against the Chiefs and helped the Ravens earn a No. 1 ranking in pass blocking by Pro Football Focus in Week 1.
Rosengarten played 20 snaps at right tackle and was beaten badly by defensive tackle Chris Jones on a strip sack on quarterback Lamar Jackson in the second quarter. Rosengarten played better later in the game, and he can build on the performance.
Mekari and Rosengarten were the only two players who shared playing time on the offensive line as left tackle Ronnie Stanley, center Tyler Linderbaum, left guard Andrew Vorhees, and right guard Danielle Faalele played every offensive snap.
Despite several pre-snap penalties, Stanley graded the best among the linemen, earning a 100 percent win rate in 32 pass-blocking reps, according to ESPN.
Harbaugh was encouraged by the performance and snapped back at some of the critics of the offensive line.
“It doesn’t bother [me] as much as it bothers you, obviously, or some others,” Harbaugh told a reporter who asked about the offensive line’s performance. “I’m not too worried about the offensive line, because I know how hard they work, and I know how talented they are. I watch all the other offensive lines in the National Football League, and I think if you applied some of the same standards to the other offensive lines out there, you’d be like, ‘Oh, boy, that’s a tough position to play against these guys.’ So, our offensive line is going to be really good this year.”