The first six weeks of the Baltimore Ravens’ 2025 season have been abysmal. After a Week 6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, they sit at 1-5, are one of the worst teams in the NFL, and are already three games back of first place in the AFC North. There are a variety of issues haunting the team. Thankfully, they are entering their bye week, which should offer the perfect opportunity to improve.
The offense has had problems blocking. Both the pass protection and run blocking have kept the offense from being consistently effective. They have been hurt by the injury to Patrick Ricard, who has yet to play a down of football this year due to a calf injury.
Ricard’s return has been up in the air, and even heading into the bye week, Head Coach John Harbaugh is unsure about Ricard’s status for Week 8 against the Chicago Bears. He targeted his return to be Week 8 last week, but mentioned in his press conference on Monday that he is still uncertain.
Harbaugh said that he doesn't know if Patrick Ricard will be ready to go after bye.
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) October 13, 2025
"It's just a matter of him being comfortable with his level of strength and his ability to perform. It's really up him."
In the place of Ricard, Zaire Mitchell-Paden has played that role in all six games this year, and he has not performed too well. He has posted just a 44.7 run blocking grade, per Pro Football Focus (PFF), in 50 run blocking snaps.
If Ricard is not back by the next time the Ravens take the field versus the Bears, it might be time to bench Mitchell-Paden for another option.
Zaire Mitchell-Paden’s time might be up
Mitchell-Paden has looked out of place in the Ravens’ offense. He tends to be late to assignments, delivers blocks to the wrong defender, and overall, has been ineffective.
More Ravens run game struggles…
— Chris Cooper (@ChrisCooper_NFL) October 6, 2025
Mitchell-Paden whiffs on the kick-out block. pic.twitter.com/I1e0k5i4sK
Mitchell-Paden is a tight end, and it is clear his role in Baltimore’s offense is not working out. Fullback Lucas Scott could be the answer to the team’s issues, though, if Ricard’s recovery progress continues to be unpredictable.
Scott stood out in the preseason. He was an offensive tackle at Army and is proving to transition well to fullback. He registered a 57.8 run blocking grade, per PFF, in 61 snaps throughout the preseason. He may not turn in immediate results, but with the fullback and offensive line play in trouble, a change could be warranted.
There is plenty of time to readjust during the bye week, but as quarterback Lamar Jackson is expected to return from his hamstring injury, the Ravens need the blocking to improve quickly. If Ricard does not suit up in Week 8, Scott might be the perfect man for the fullback job.