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Baltimore Ravens performance in 2021 NFL Draft: 3 big things

By Chris Schisler

Oct 26, 2019; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers wide receiver Rashod Bateman (13) holds his arms up after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter against the Maryland Terrapins at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 26, 2019; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers wide receiver Rashod Bateman (13) holds his arms up after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter against the Maryland Terrapins at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Baltimore Ravens NFL Draft
sOct 19, 2019; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back Brian Herrien (35) reacts with offensive lineman Ben Cleveland (74) after scoring a touchdown against the Kentucky Wildcats during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

2. The plan for the offensive line is coming together:

The Baltimore Ravens have a decent picture of what’s going to happen with the offensive line. Going into the third day of the 2021 NFL Draft, the Ravens have taken just one offensive lineman. They did not go for an offensive tackle and they haven’t drafted a player at the center position either. The Ravens drafted a player in Ben Cleveland who will presumably be in the running to be the starter at left guard.

Bradley Bozeman is moving to guard. Don’t second guess it. Don’t pass go or collect $200 either. At this point in the NFL Draft finding a starting center isn’t going to be easy. There were three centers that I felt comfortable with as plug-and-play starters. They’re all off the board.

Another certainty is that a veteran offensive lineman will be signing with the Ravens after the 2021 NFL Draft. Whether it’s going to be Dennis Kelly or Alejandro Villanueva (or somebody else) that’s going to be the path the Ravens take. Tyree Phillips will be a backup at offensive tackle. If things go right, he can continue to develop behind the scenes.

It feels like three parts of the starting lineup can be written in Sharpie. Ronnie Stanley is a franchise cornerstone left tackle. Bozeman is the center. Kevin Zeitler wouldn’t be brought in to be anything other than the starting right guard. Going into the third day of the 2021 NFL Draft, the offensive line isn’t a question-free area of the roster, however, it’s much less of a worry than it was.

If Cleveland is a plug-and-play player who lives up to his potential, the Ravens just got better on the offensive line. Stanley, Cleveland, Bozeman, Zeitler, and Villanueva/Kelly don’t sound bad. Ben Powers, Ben Bredeson, and Phillips make quality depth.

It’s important to note that the left guard spot isn’t necessarily Cleveland’s. John Harbaugh and the rookie tax are locked in place concepts for the Baltimore Ravens. There is potentially strong competition at left guard. Take a deep breath Baltimore. The offensive line is coming together.

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