Ravens are putting a lot of faith in biggest unknown on offense

The Baltimore Ravens have one of the most talented offenses in NFL history. The team has two future Hall of Famers in the backfield, a dynamic group of weapons catching passes from Lamar Jackson, and a sturdy offensive line handling business upfront. 

There is no wonder why they are one of the scariest teams to suit up against, but every franchise has its flaws or question marks going into the season. While most of those question marks reside on the defensive side of the football this year, the offensive guard battle is wide open, and perceived starting left guard Andrew Vorhees may be one of Baltimore’s biggest unknowns.

Andrew Vorhees looks to earn his stripes in 2025

Max Chadwick and Dalton Wasserman of Pro Football Focus (PFF) recently outlined each team's starting lineup, offering perspectives on their biggest strengths, weaknesses, and x-factors going into the 2025 season. For the Ravens, Vorhees was dubbed the team's x-factor.

Vorhees was one of the more prominent offensive linemen heading into draft season in 2023. He brought stability to USC’s offensive line during his tenure there and seemed to be a lock for the first four rounds in the upcoming draft. However, after he tore his ACL at that year’s combine Vorhees’ stock plummeted. He fell to the seventh round, where the Ravens traded up with the Cleveland Browns to take a chance on the former Trojan. 

After missing his entire rookie season due to a knee injury, Vorhees finally saw the NFL field in 2024, but it was a lackluster campaign. The 26-year-old struggled to earn consistent playing time, falling behind Patrick Mekari and Daniel Faalele on the depth chart. However, with Mekari departing for the Jacksonville Jaguars this past offseason, the left guard job is Vorhees’ to win, but there is a lot of uncertainty facing his future and what he can provide.

Although it’ll be his third year in the league, 2025 will be Vorhees’ sophomore season. 2024 was a troubling year, earning him a 57.2 overall grade from PFF. There were significant ups and downs after missing an entire year of play, and that was his introduction to the NFL pace. Now, he should be stepping into a starting role and could be the team’s x-factor. 

Throughout his playing career, Vorhees has embodied the motto of playing like a Raven and perfectly fits Baltimore’s playing style. During college, he gained five years of starting experience and was a technically sound blocker. Coaches also commended his hard work ethic, which he showcased at the 2023 NFL Combine, putting up 38 reps on the bench press with a torn ACL. 

He’s a competitive warrior on and off the field, earning praise from his teammates, too. After signing an extension with the Ravens, Ronnie Stanley highlighted Vorhees as the next man up, who possesses a great blend of strength, athleticism, and intelligence. With a strong offseason, Vorhees could prove to be a devastating lead blocker for Jackson and Derrick Henry when 2025 kicks off.

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