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8 positional battles to watch for 2020 Baltimore Ravens

By Richard Bradshaw

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 28: J.K. Dobbins #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes reacts against the Clemson Tigers in the second half during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 28: J.K. Dobbins #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes reacts against the Clemson Tigers in the second half during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /
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MOBILE, AL – JANUARY 25: Offensive Lineman Tyre Phillips #78 from Mississippi State of the South Team during the 2020 Resse’s Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium on January 25, 2020, in Mobile, Alabama. The North Team defeated the South Team 34 to 17. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
MOBILE, AL – JANUARY 25: Offensive Lineman Tyre Phillips #78 from Mississippi State of the South Team during the 2020 Resse’s Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium on January 25, 2020, in Mobile, Alabama. The North Team defeated the South Team 34 to 17. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /

Swing tackle:

Contenders: D.J. Fluker vs. Andre Smith vs. Tyre Phillips

Two faces from our competition at the right guard come into play for the team’s swing tackle a.k.a. sixth lineman; a position vastly important to what the Baltimore Ravens like to do. Following the release of James Hurst after a four-game suspension for PEDs, this spot in the line up is wide open.

Again, D.J. Fluker has been a solid guard throughout his seven-year career, but he was drafted to be a tackle. Fluker has the brute strength to be such and wouldn’t be a half-bad swing tackle for the team in plus-packages around the goal line.

Related Story. Baltimore Ravens smart to explore all avenues for offensive line. light

Like we mentioned on the previous slide, Tyre Phillips is a big, bad dude who will be a difference-maker in the ground game. He’s an ideal fit for a goal-line sixth-man.

The interesting guy here is Andre Smith. Smith signed on with the Ravens midway through the 2019 season and was brought back for the 2020 season. His return was likely predicated on the release of Hurst. Smith is entering his 12th season in the league and still has some juice as a run blocker.

Most teams in the league don’t necessarily value having a top-tier swing tackle, but it’s a vital spot here for the Baltimore Ravens. This will be an important camp battle this offseason.

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