Positional Question Marks for Baltimore Heading into 2025
Every year, it always seems like there is a problem on the Ravens’ offensive line. It is difficult to find five versatile starters and a handful of talented depth players who excel at each of the roles required in the trenches. The squads that band together the best are usually the difference makers in the running game and pass protection. In 2023, the Ravens almost had all the pieces together, excluding the right tackle. However, in 2024, it was both guard positions that posed the largest questions entering the season. In 2025, the Ravens built on their work in recent years, retaining some key players and bringing in a handful of rookies who will undoubtedly play a huge role in the success of the offense.
In 2024, there were only two guarantees on the Ravens' offensive line: Ronnie Stanley at left tackle and Tyler Linderbaum at center. In the first three weeks of the season, Daniel Faalele started at right tackle instead of rookie Roger Rosengarten, leaving Andrew Vorhees to start at right guard and versatile lineman Patrick Mekari to play as the left guard. It was not until after a 1-2 start entering Week Four that the Ravens switched Faalele to right guard and let Rosengarten step up into the position he was drafted for. That combination consistently improved and worked as a cohesive unit as the season progressed, finishing as Pro Football Focus’ ninth-best offensive line in the league.
Baltimore's offensive line proved many of the skeptics wrong, as they paved the way for the league's top rushing attack and Derrick Henry's nearly 2,000 yards rushing. The offensive line also surrendered just 24 sacks, which was the third fewest in the league. The transition in Week Four from Faalele and Rosengarten was incredibly beneficial for that season and looks to be something to build upon in 2025. However, as every season ends, some players' contracts expire, leaving gaps for the general manager to determine the best way to adapt, pay, and draft.
The biggest storyline for the Ravens’ offensive line was the potential of free agent Ronnie Stanley taking a huge payday to a team like the New England Patriots, who had money to spend. Just days before he was set to hit the market, Stanley signed a three-year extension worth $60 million to deal with the “unfinished business” in Baltimore. Later in that week, the Ravens lost their 17-game starter in Mekari and backup lineman Josh Jones to free agency. The Ravens answered by signing the former Rams’ OL Joseph Noteboom and drafted a handful of potential starters in OT Emery Jones Jr. in the third, OT Carson Vinson in the fifth, and OG Garrett Dellinger in the seventh. In addition to the new Ravens, Baltimore still has OG Ben Cleveland and Vorhees.
On Monday, June 30th, the Ravens released an unofficial depth chart highlighting the players who the projected starters, backups, and those who are competing for a roster spot are. There is no question that the Ravens will look to run it back with Stanley at LT and Linderbaum at center. The transition in Week Four of 2024 for Faalele and Rosengarten will look to continue at right guard and right tackle, respectively, but it leaves the left guard position up for grabs after the departures of sturdy linemen Simpson and Mekari in consecutive years. Noteboom and Cleveland will undoubtedly make the roster, but Noteboom is listed as a tackle despite playing a handful of games at left guard in his time as a Ram. Cleveland is listed as both, but Vorhees is the favorite to be the starting left guard in 2025. Outside of rookies like Emery Jones and Carson Vinson, there are a handful of other players like Nick Samac, Garrett Dellinger, and more left to compete for the final one or two linemen roster spots behind the almost completed offensive line.
One other position that is worth noting in the offseason position battle is at kicker. It feels weird to say there is a position battle at kicker, but in light of the allegations, suspension, and release of long-time Raven, Justin Tucker, Baltimore went out and drafted Tyler Loop in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Drafting the Arizona kicker marks the first kicker drafted in franchise history. However, the Ravens weren’t going to immediately hand Loop the key to the city, bringing in John Hoyland, an undrafted free agent from Wyoming. Both are showing glimpses of what it takes to be an NFL starting kicker, with head coach John Harbaugh giving praise to both rookies.
"I think the biggest thing is to try to put them in tough situations as much as we can," Harbaugh said. All those things I think add up, and then the end result with all that going on has been really good. So, a good, solid job. And again, we'll pick it up in training camp." In terms of who is winning the battle right now, Loop seems to be in the lead. "They're both doing a good job with that and actually pick it up really quickly," Harbaugh continued. "[Tyler] is just kind of a natural athlete, so he's picking it up quick. Now it's just a matter of doing it over and over again."
Luckily, anyone who does not make the initial 53-man roster after the August trimming period will have to clear waivers before they have the chance to sign to Baltimore’s practice squad with the opportunity to move up into an active roster spot if injuries occur or overall poor performance resulting in someone being placed on injured reserve or a release. There is always the risk of putting someone on the practice squad and later getting poached by a different franchise for an active roster spot, but the practice squad is a two-way street. If the Ravens lose someone from their practice squad, they can scour the depths of NFL roster outsiders and poach one for themselves. However, that conversation will have to wait until after a chunk of preseason games are played in August.
