It took one preseason game to expose holes in Ravens’ offseason plan

No NFL team has a perfect offseason. Teams lose key players, lose out on notable free agents, and may miss on draft picks. The Baltimore Ravens are fortunate to hit on their offseason moves most of the time, but one position plan is already looking messy.

Baltimore lost versatile offensive guard Patrick Mekari to the Jacksonville Jaguars in free agency. Mekari was a staple in their offensive line over the past six years, playing every position across the front. You can not easily replace that kind of player, but the Ravens did not make much of an effort.

They brought back Ben Cleveland on a one-year deal, but he has been underwhelming in his first four NFL seasons. In the draft, Baltimore selected Emery Jones Jr. and Garrett Dellinger. Dellinger can not seem to crack the second-team offensive line unit, and though Jones could be the big piece to replace Mekari, he has been recovering from a labrum injury for all of training camp.

It appears Andrew Vorhees and Daniel Faalele will be the guards starting in 2025, but each had their fair share of inconsistencies last season, which could spell trouble for the Ravens’ interior offensive line. In Week 1 of the preseason, the worries only deepened.

The offensive guard situation could cost the Ravens their 2025 season

Cleveland and Vorhees had great moments against the Indianapolis Colts on Thursday. The two helped thrash the opposing defensive line en route to 177 yards on the ground. Still, neither has done much of anything in the regular season, so there is reason for concern.

Faalele was a Pro Bowl alternate in 2024, but it came as a shock to some, as he experienced various struggles holding down the right guard spot. He is susceptible to getting beaten with speed-to-power, but will also get beaten by straight bull rushes at times, despite his hulking frame. That happened against the Colts, getting flattened by defensive tackle Adetomiwa Adebawore for a drive-ending sack.

There is still talent on the free agent market if Baltimore opts to address the need. Veteran guards Brandon Scherff and Shaq Mason have provided well-above-average play for years. The 33-year-old Scherff is coming off a season with the Jaguars, where he posted a 64.7 overall grade, per Pro Football Focus (PFF). Mason had a 62.3 PFF grade in 2024 with the Houston Texans. Both would be upgrades.

If the Ravens choose to stay with their current guards, it could throw a wrench in their Super Bowl aspirations in 2025. However, if Jones can return soon and provide stable play, or Faalele, Vorhees, and Cleveland can vastly improve, then they may not need to go the free agent route. But for now, the guard play does not look pretty.

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