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Ravens 2021 offseason: How can they improve at center

By Billy Kosko

Dec 20, 2020; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) celebrates with guard Ben Powers (72) and guard Bradley Bozeman (77) after scoring a third quarter touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2020; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) celebrates with guard Ben Powers (72) and guard Bradley Bozeman (77) after scoring a third quarter touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Baltimore Ravens
Dec 13, 2020; Paradise, Nevada, USA; A general view of the line of scrimmage as Las Vegas Raiders center Rodney Hudson (61) prepares to snap the ball against the Indianapolis Colts at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Option number three: Bring in a veteran center.

Look, I am not saying option number one couldn’t work. I trust Bradley Bozeman. I think he has a bright future in the NFL, hopefully on the Baltimore Ravens. But maybe it’s best that we keep him where he is. At least for now.

I’m also not against option number two. We can never have enough young players on our offensive line. Good offensive linesmen are expensive and hard to come by. They also can get injured out of nowhere, just look at Ronnie Stanley. Injuries don’t discriminate, no matter how good you are.

But do you think maybe the issue is that when Marshall Yanda retired, we lost that valuable veteran leadership on our offensive line? I am sure that Kevin Zeitler will bring some of that veteran leadership to our interior offensive line.

However, I believe that Patrick Mekari and Trystan Colon-Castillo both have potential. They just need someone with experience to help them develop. That makes someone like Alex Mack the perfect man for the job.

I know that he is 35 and getting up there in age, but he has the experience. He is reliable. In 972 snaps last season, he gave up one sack and only had three penalties. Having Alex Mack around would really help Mekari and Colon-Castillo grow as players.

The best part? Over the Cap has his valuation at $4.2 million. We can afford that and it would be worth every penny. I think veteran signings (especially those who have been cut from their previous team) will be a big part of the Ravens 2021 offseason.

There’s also a recent cut by the Las Vegas Raiders, Rodney Hudson. He had a PFF grade of 73.6 last season. He may be too pricey for us, but we will have to see. This free agent signing would allow us to avoid affecting the compensatory pick formula.

Next. Baltimore Ravens bring back Tyus Bowser: 3 big things. dark

What option do you like?

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