The Baltimore Ravens need to solve several issues during their bye week. They are expected to see a few key contributors return, like quarterback Lamar Jackson and linebacker Roquan Smith, but problems remain in the trenches, especially the offensive line.
On the Ravens' current line, what you see is what you will get. Left tackle Ronnie Stanley should be fully healed from his lingering ankle injury by the time the team retakes the field in Week 8 against the Chicago Bears, but the offensive guard play has been horrible all year, and that is unlikely to change.
Guards Andrew Vorhees and Daniel Faalele have been unreliable in 2025 and have caused countless struggles for the offense. Vorhees seemed to make improvements in Baltimore’s matchup with the Los Angeles Rams, but Faalele continued to be ineffective.
Head Coach John Harbaugh has mentioned the coaching staff could look into the offensive line troubles in the coming weeks. Replacements could be coming, and if they truly want to make strides at the position, they may have to look to the trade market. However, an in-house resolution could come in the form of second-year lineman Corey Bullock.
While meeting with the media on Tuesday, Offensive Line Coach George Warhop spoke highly of Bullock, who has taken significant steps since signing with the Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2024.
“[Bullock] really got himself prepared to play in the offseason,” Warhop said. “He does a great job in practice, and Corey is an unbelievable kid in the meeting room…When new guys come in, he pours into them all the time. That’s a quality that I can’t even tell you how much I appreciate it. To have guys he’s competing with, he’s helping them grow. He’s an unbelievable human being on top of being a really good player, and has a bright future.”
While it does not sound like Bullock’s time is coming in the next week, he should certainly be knocking on the door, given the lackluster play at guard.
Corey Bullock could be an ideal fix for Ravens’ struggling offensive line
As of now, Bullock is listed as a center on Baltimore’s depth chart. The 24-year-old outplayed 2024 seventh-round selection Nick Samac in training camp and the preseason, winning the backup job to Tyler Linderbaum. However, he is more than just a center.
Bullock can play all five positions on the offensive line. Throughout his time in college at North Carolina Central and Maryland, Bullock played offensive tackle and offensive guard, and has made a seamless transition to center at the NFL level. The Ravens may quickly need themselves a new starter at guard, though, which is a service Bullock can provide.
In Baltimore’s 2024 preseason slate, Bullock finished with an 83.5 overall grade, per Pro Football Focus. The grade included standout marks in both pass blocking (79.5) and run blocking (78.9). He proved to be a competent right guard then, and nothing is stopping him from doing that now.
Veteran backup Ben Cleveland might be first in line to showcase his abilities if Harbaugh does call for an offensive line switch. But, if history is any telling, Cleveland is likely to fall short of expectations. Bullock is an intriguing young option, and if Jackson is still not comfortable behind the offensive front and more specifically Faalele in Week 8, Bullock should get a shot to earn a starting job.