2. Ben Cleveland, OG, Ravens
Few players benefitted more from the arrival of pads than rookie guard Ben Cleveland.
Cleveland has primarily been working with the second-team offense this summer, but on Tuesday he staked his claim at the starting left guard job.
The Georgia product was a menace on the field knocking around veterans on defense such as Tyus Bowser and Pernell McPhee.
While he ran into some troubles in pass protection — Justin Madubuike notably got the better of him — he was dominant as a run blocker.
On the first play of 11-on-11s in full pads, Ben Cleveland put an OLB on his back.
— Ryan Mink (@ryanmink) August 3, 2021
This shouldn’t come as a surprise either. Offensive coordinator Greg Roman called Cleveland the “best run blocker in his class” coming out of college and the tape backs that claim up.
The Ravens are hoping that Cleveland could be the next third-round offensive lineman steal after the likes of Marshal Yanda and Orlando Brown Jr. outplayed their draft slots.
Cleveland is off to a great start, and it might not be long before he claims the starting left guard job.