1 player from each AFC North rival the Ravens should want to steal
By Kristen Wong
Ravens’ Steal No. 2: Joel Bitonio, OG, Cleveland Browns
The Ravens wouldn’t want to even go near Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, but they like the idea of taking away a crucial member of Watson’s pass protection: Joel Bitonio.
Bitonio is widely hailed as one of the best offensive linemen in the league with four Pro Bowls and one All-Pro honor to his name. A second-round pick by the Browns in 2014, Bitonio has been molded into the ever-consistent rock of the Browns’ O-line, playing at least 16 games a season for the last five years, and he would be an absolute gem of a steal for Baltimore.
The Ravens’ offensive line struggled all of 2021 due to injuries and instability, and though Baltimore added much-needed depth in Morgan Moses and Tyler Linderbaum this offseason, Baltimore still has plenty of reasons to be concerned.
For one, Ronnie Stanley’s recovery may not go as well as expected, and the Ravens could find themselves in the exact same situation as last season. Ja’Wuan James has been touted as Stanley’s potential replacement, but James poses as more of a liability than a reliable starter.
Bitonio would automatically elevate the Ravens’ offensive line as not only one of the best left guards in the NFL, but a pretty good left tackle, too.
The versatile lineman finished with a stellar 93.6 Pro Football Focus grade in 2021 and recorded a career-best 92.5 Pro Football Focus run-blocking grade.
For a run-heavy team like the Ravens, Bitonio is a god-send, and the entire Ravens’ offense from Lamar Jackson to J.K. Dobbins would salivate at the thought of adding Bitonio to the roster.