Ebony Bird
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The 3 most important rookies from the Ravens 2019 NFL Draft class

By Chris Schisler

NORMAN, OK - SEPTEMBER 01: Wide receiver Marquise Brown #5 of the Oklahoma Sooners warms up before the game against the Florida Atlantic Owls at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners defeated the Owls 63-14. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK - SEPTEMBER 01: Wide receiver Marquise Brown #5 of the Oklahoma Sooners warms up before the game against the Florida Atlantic Owls at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners defeated the Owls 63-14. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /
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PASADENA, CA – JANUARY 01: Running back Rodney Anderson #24 of the Oklahoma Sooners celebrates with teammate offensive lineman Ben Powers #72 after scoring on a nine-yard touchdown run in the first quarter against the Georgia Bulldogs in the 2018 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA – JANUARY 01: Running back Rodney Anderson #24 of the Oklahoma Sooners celebrates with teammate offensive lineman Ben Powers #72 after scoring on a nine-yard touchdown run in the first quarter against the Georgia Bulldogs in the 2018 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

2. Ben Powers:

The left guard spot is the area on the roster where the Ravens have the most doubt. Jermaine Eluemunor has been taking starting reps early into training camp. Eluemunor hasn’t looked incredibly impressive early into his NFL career. The other options for the left guard spot are James Hurst and Alex Lewis. Lewis hasn’t practiced yet and he is recovering from shoulder surgery. Hurst is who he is. It isn’t overly impressive and it isn’t terrible. Should the offensive line take the next step the Ravens need a better option at left guard.

Powers was a fourth round pick. It was actually surprising that DeCosta didn’t do more to address need along the offensive line. The best case scenario is that Powers can take the starting job. Powers is the unknown commodity. When the options that are known aren’t great, giving something new a try makes sense. If Powers proves that he can play competently right away, he should get the starting job. Rookies that get thrown into the action immediately go through ups and downs. When it works out, they hit a nice stride by half way in the season.

There is no perfect answer at left guard. Baltimore will either have to lean on inexperience or a player that is adequate at best. If Powers is going to be the starter, he is going to have to earn the job. Powers being an upgrade at this position is the best thing that can happen for the offensive line.

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