Ravens Have Clear Leader in OL Competition

"I want to have it settled now, today, but I think we'll know by the end of this next game, probably," Harbaugh said. "Andrew Vorhees is in the lead. Something would have to change. I will say, with Ben [Cleveland], he'll tell you, the first, three or four days didn't look too good. Then, the next three or four days looked really good, so [that's] good for Ben. Andrew has looked good all the way through, so he's in the lead at this point."

Typically, most coaches, but especially Harbaugh historically, aren't as straightforward and forthcoming with such declarations during training camp for several reasons. Chief among them is that they don't want to give up any semblance of a competitive advantage for the early-season opponents. They also don't want one player thinking they already have a role and roster spot secured, which could affect their approach towards practice and the preseason because they believe the battle is already over.

Vorhees is technically the incumbent, given that he competed for and won this starting spot to open last season before an ankle injury he suffered paved the way for Mekari to permanently replace him. It was the 2023 seventh-rounders' rookie season essentially because he spent his entire first year in the league rehabilitating from a torn ACL he suffered during the pre-draft process that caused him to go from a Day 2 lock to nearly going undrafted before the Ravens traded back in to select the former USC Trojan. When he did get another chance to see extended playing time in the regular season finale, he played well.

Cleveland has been in line and competed for a starting guard spot every year he's been in the league, beginning with the left side for the first three, the right last year and now back on the left. While he lost each of those previous battles and appears poised to do so for the fifth time in a row, the 2021 third-rounder has provided quality depth and mostly played exceptionally well when called upon to start as a result of injury or rest.

Whoever the winner ultimately ends up being, they'll be primed to succeed sandwiched between a pair of multi-time Pro Bowlers in center Tyler Linderbaum and left tackle Ronnie Stanley. All hope will not be lost for the loser either, as the Ravens still need quality backups who are always one injury away from being starters, and they both fit that criteria.