The Baltimore Ravens had a stellar 2025 NFL Draft, and while their high-end selections, Malaki Starks and Mike Green, have yet to put it all together, they have shown flashes. Other late-round selections are looking like steals, as well. However, their draft haul did contain reaches that may end up backfiring.
Fifth-round pick out of Alabama A&M, Carson Vinson has the traits to be a starting-caliber offensive tackle somewhere down the line. He could be the eventual replacement for franchise left tackle Ronnie Stanley. For a team competing for a Super Bowl in 2025 and the next few years, though, it looks like they could have used that selection to fill a different need.
One of the most prominent issues unraveling in Baltimore entering Week 3 is the offensive line. Specifically, the offensive guard pairing of Andrew Vorhees and Daniel Faalele has shown cracks. Those cracks could be fatal flaws in the grand scheme of things if the duo does not put it together quickly, and it makes passing on versatile offensive lineman Marcus Mbow for Vinson all the more questionable.
Ravens selecting Carson Vinson over Marcus Mbow might be the biggest offseason mistake
Vinson is not a bad player. He is a developmental pick, but has the size and athleticism to become a home run selection. His preseason showing was mistake-ridden, but he learned from those mistakes. He rounded out the three-game slate with a strong finale against the Washington Commanders, posting an 80.5 pass blocking grade, per Pro Football Focus (PFF).
However, many thought he was a reach, and given Mbow’s current progress with the New York Giants, who selected him 15 slots after Vinson, it is hard not to feel regret over passing on the Purdue product. While Baltimore sits and waits for Vinson’s growth, Mbow was a standout in New York’s Week 2 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.
Despite posting a 59.3 overall grade, per PFF, Mbow had an encouraging performance. After an abysmal opening drive from fellow offensive tackle James Hudson III that saw him commit four penalties, Mbow had a solid showing. He allowed one quarterback hit and one hurry, and he showed why he was one of the most hyped up players during training camp and preseason.
Now that #NFLPreseason is complete, we’ve put together an All-Preseason Team on @NFLonCBS spotlighting guys who made the most of the opportunity*
— Emory Hunt (@FBallGameplan) August 24, 2025
*yes, I know (insert player here) also stood out too pic.twitter.com/o869cfz28e
The infuriating part of it all is that Mbow can play every position on the offensive line. He could be starting at offensive guard for the Ravens right now. He would have to prove he can handle stronger matchups inside, but he had the experience at Purdue and is proving capable of handling NFL talent.
You could also make the case that Emery Jones Jr. has been an irritating selection so far. The LSU standout injured his labrum in the team's rookie mini camp and has not seen the field since. He is likely the long-term solution at guard. But, with no updates regarding his situation, Baltimore’s offensive guard play continues to be a significant question mark that Mbow possibly could have solved.