4 scapegoats if things go wrong for the Ravens in 2022
By Kristen Wong
![Rashod Bateman, Ravens. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) Rashod Bateman, Ravens. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Febonybird-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2021-2F08-2F1331124543-850x560-43dfa78a57ae2d9a4d25699d6b0df50a82ec98f7c14693aefc6d768de2a307e0.jpg)
2. The Ravens’ offensive line
It’s too early to predict the Ravens’ starting offensive line, but it’s not too early to place the blame on them for a potentially disastrous 2022 season.
To give credit where it’s due, Baltimore’s front office made almost all the right moves to shore up the team’s offensive line corps this offseason. Bradley Bozeman will always be the one that got away, but signing Morgan Moses and drafting Tyler Linderbaum were key acquisitions that stabilized the O-line.
The return of Ronnie Stanley should help the offensive line after the unit finished toward the bottom of the league in overall rankings in 2021, but should Stanley get reinjured like he did last season, Baltimore’s backup options aren’t too promising.
Versatile Swiss Army lineman Pat Mekari could always step in for snaps, and Ja’Wuan James and Daniel Faalele could also see some minutes as well.
Elsewhere on the line, the left guard position battle holds the most intrigue heading into 2022 with no clear candidate leading the pack. Baltimore rotated between Ben Cleveland and Ben Powers last year, but both had only average seasons with Powers grading just a little better on Pro Football Focus.
Much of the team’s success in the trenches hinges upon Stanley’s healthy recovery. If the team has to play another season without Stanley…. well, we don’t want to think about that.