Ravens: 3 position battles to watch in Week 2 of the preseason
By Justin Fried
1. Ravens position battle: Left guard
- Contenders: Ben Cleveland, Ben Powers, Tyre Phillips
The only real starting job that remains up for grabs this summer is left guard. And to this point, no one has run away with the competition.
The presumed starter has been third-round rookie Ben Cleveland all along. However, Cleveland has had an up-and-down summer and recently missed time with a concussion.
He only just returned to practice a few days ago and will be held out of Saturday’s game. That presents a golden opportunity to whoever the Ravens give the start to this weekend.
Ben Powers and Tyre Phillips are the likely candidates, although it’s unclear who the coaching staff prefers at the position.
Phillips has spent more time playing tackle than guard this summer while Powers started to receive reps at tackle as well this week.
The Ravens also have Patrick Mekari who can play all over the offensive line, although he’s a natural center.
Saturday’s game should be revealing for a number of reasons. It will tell us who the Ravens likely plan to start at left guard if they don’t feel Cleveland is ready for that role yet. And it will tell us what the current depth chart looks like.
If Powers or Phillips holds their own against what will likely be Carolina’s first-team defense this Saturday, one of them might emerge as the favorite for the starting job.
dark. Next. Ravens: 4 players with something to prove in preseason Week 2
Cleveland’s absence could ultimately cost him to start the season.