The Baltimore Ravens know that keeping quarterback Lamar Jackson at his best is the key to winning a Super Bowl. Jackson undoubtedly masks holes when necessary, but if the team’s consistent investments at receiver (with varying levels of success) are an indication, building an elite unit around Jackson is almost as important as the quarterback himself.
That includes giving Jackson an offensive line that can elevate the Ravens’ run game and afford him a little more breathing room in the pocket, furthering the stress he can apply to defenses.
Baltimore lost lineman Patrick Mekari in free agency, promoting Andrew Vorhees in his place. It didn’t add a clear-cut starter to the unit during the offseason, either. However, general manager Eric DeCosta didn’t ignore the unit completely, adding to its depth in the 2025 NFL Draft.
The Ravens also signed swing tackle Joe Noteboom on Saturday to further insulate the offensive line, according to the team’s social media.
It isn’t immediately clear what he’ll be earning in Baltimore. Spotrac’s market value suggests he’s worth $1.9 million over a single season, and he’s coming off a three-year, $40 million deal with the Los Angeles Rams.
A 2018 third-round pick, Noteboom has largely struggled to produce full-time as a starter, both through injuries and inconsistencies. In Baltimore, though, he profiles as a swing tackle, priority depth behind Ronnie Stanley and Roger Rosengarten. This opens the door for Emery Jones Jr. to focus on development and a potential move inside if a single tackle goes down.
Noteboom is most experienced at left tackle, but played nearly 400 snaps at right tackle over the past two seasons. He also has spent legitimate time at both guard spots, giving him four-position versatility should the Ravens deem it necessary.
He isn’t the biggest lineman, but his speed stands out, and that athleticism has made him proficient in the run game and kept him above water as his pass protection fluctuated. As a fairly direct replacement for Josh Jones, Noteboom is a (presumably) cheap replacement with both big-game experience and a translatable skill set to Baltimore’s offensive line.
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