Ravens: Projecting Every Starter And The Next Man Up

Jan 3, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Baltimore Ravens tight end Crockett Gillmore (80) celebrates with Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) and Ravens guard Marshal Yanda (73) after scoring a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth quarter during the 2014 AFC Wild Card playoff football game at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

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Jun 14, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens tackle Ronnie Stanley (79) stands on the field during the first day of minicamp sessions at Under Armour Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

Left Tackle:

1. Ronnie Stanley: The Ravens put all their eggs in the Ronnie Stanley basket. This is a decision that became obvious when they cut ties with Eugene Monroe. Stanley was the sixth overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. The Ravens are not going to be patient. They expect Stanley to be the left tackle of the future, and that future starts now. Stanley is the key to a dominant offensive line. The Ravens starting five looks solid. We just need Stanley to show us why he was a top-10 pick.

Stanley has incredible footwork. Even ferocious pass rushers like Shaq Lawson struggled to get around him. The question is not his technique, but whether or not he can be the human plow, the Ravens need him to be. Stanley could benefit from bulking up and finding a mean streak.

2. Vladimir Duccase: The Ravens don’t have a ton of quality options here. Duccase is a guard but it will have to be a suitable plan B. You want to keep Rick Wagner on the right side. It’s hard to trust Alex Lewis to protect Flacco’s blind side as a fourth round pick. In the event, the Ravens need a backup left tackle, this is the option that causes no shuffling of the offensive line.

Next: Left Guard