Pre-Draft Evaluation Of Ravens Offensive Line

Ravens Need Depth, To Secure Strong Offensive Line

The Ravens offensive line pretty much falls into place. Eugene Monroe is the left tackle. John Urschel is the left guard. Jeremy Zuttah is the center. Marshall Yanda and Rick Wagner make up the right side of the line. The Ravens have a quality starter at every position along their offensive line. The concerns with the Ravens up front, are mostly related to depth.

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Eugene Monroe is a quality starter. He has struggled to stay on the field, being nagged by injuries since the Ravens acquired him in the 2013 season. When Monroe has played, he has been an above average left tackle. The Ravens have a left tackle, but they know they need a plan B, just in case.

John Urschel is a strong left guard, who will fill Kelechi Osemele’s position well. People forget that Urschel has gotten some playing time, and performed at a high level. When the headline reads, that Osemele is the highest paid guard in football, it is easy for Ravens fans to overreact. Urschel isn’t Osemele but he is more than capable of doing the job.

So the only question is how would the Ravens cope with injuries along the offensive line. James Hurst is clearly not the answer at left tackle (in any circumstance). Ryan Jensen is an intriguing back up that can play tackle or guard. Jensen’s versatility is certainly something that could behoove the Ravens.

Going into the draft the Ravens don’t need to find a starting left tackle. They need to find a player who can step in for Monroe for a few games and hold the fort down. If the Ravens can do this, they can be a strong offensive line with a backup plan. It is worth noting that the Ravens could still sign a veteran tackle.

In 2014 the Ravens offensive line was a force to be reckoned with. The unit is essentially the same, except for the absence of Osemele. Last season there was a lot of things that went wrong. With some weapons added offensively and the return of Joe Flacco; there is no reason the offensive line cannot succeed.

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The Ravens need to add quality depth to the offensive line. This doesn’t mean bringing in superstars. This doesn’t mean wasting their sixth overall pick on an offensive lineman. This means finding people who can do the job on a temporary basis, without the world falling apart. This is an achievable goal for the Ravens.