Baltimore Ravens depth at offensive tackle may be an issue

The Baltimore Ravens have the best combination of offensive tackles in the NFL. Behind that, it could be a problem:

The Baltimore Ravens have a lot of loaded position groups. On one hand the Ravens have a great amount of depth on the offensive line. The problem is most of that depth is for the interior of the offensive line. The Ravens have a handful of viable options for the center and guard positions, which is a commendable bit of roster planning considering the retirement of Marshal Yanda. Behind Ronnie Stanley and Orlando Brown Jr. it’s slim pickings.

The best possible scenario for the Ravens is D.J. Fluker and Tyre Phillips being backups who can fill in at guard or offensive tackle. The problem is that Fluker is the most known commodity at right guard and is much better on the inside than on the outside. He’s an upgrade from James Hurst but he’s the same type of player.

If Fluker starts at guard, depth at tackle is even worse. Then it’s just Phillips and Andre Smith (If he even makes the roster) that are all that viable at the offensive tackle positions. The fact is that Stanley is the only player Baltimore can comfortably put at left tackle. If he stays healthy, the Ravens can get by. If Stanley got hurt, it would be a catastrophic blow to the unit.

More from Ebony Bird

• Will Baltimore Ravens be rewarded for risky Lamar Jackson decision?
• The Baltimore Ravens Big Gamble
• Ravens Super Bowl odds present fascinating insight on Lamar Jackson’s future
• Should Baltimore Ravens be interested in this recently released WR
• Do the Baltimore Ravens have serious interest in this free agent wide out?

Baltimore can’t exactly put Orlando Brown Jr. on the left side of the offensive line. He’s not a left tackle. That’s not a knock on him, he’s just a right tackle and putting him on the other side wouldn’t maximize his talents.

Baltimore must be invested in the idea that they have multiple offensive linemen who can play multiple positions. Otherwise the Eric DeCosta would have made a push to get better offensive tackles behind his starters. So if Phillps counts as a tackle, the Ravens have three tackles and Fluker if they absolutely need him.

The Ravens don’t have to worry about a starting five. At this they should be okay. They will find the right combination. They have to worry about a plan B or a plan C if something happens to Brown Jr. or even worse Stanley.

The Ravens are loaded at most position groups. They have depth at almost every position group. The offensive line is deep, it’s just not deep at offensive tackle. It’s something to be mindful of as the season approaches.