When you just had the season that the Baltimore Ravens had in 2025, you’re going to have to take some risks to improve in the offseason. They’ve done that already on the coaching front by firing 18-year head coach John Harbaugh and hiring first-time head coach Jesse Minter. However, the gambles can’t stop there.
While the coaching was the cause of most of the troubles last season, the roster fell short in various areas. Some of those areas will be filled through the draft, but the front office needs to find proven pieces for other spots like offensive guard and pass rush. General manager Eric DeCosta must be aggressive in free agency.
For that offensive guard spot, the Ravens should look for a proven starter to potentially play opposite of 2025 third-round pick Emery Jones Jr. in 2026. An older veteran may not do the trick, though, if the Ravens are looking for a long-term solution at the position. If that’s the case, New York Jets guard Alijah Vera-Tucker could make some sense.
The focus of the offseason should start with center Tyler Linderbaum. The decision awaits on whether the Ravens will place the franchise tag on the three-time Pro Bowler, but once his deal is (hopefully) finalized, they can turn to a player like Vera-Tucker.
There’d be a ton of risk associated with signing Vera-Tucker. Injuries have plagued him across his five-year career. However, he’s truly dominant when healthy, and that injury red flag may be worth the risk if he can help block for quarterback Lamar Jackson, who was far from himself in 2025 due to his own injuries.
Ravens’ offense could see a lot more success with a signing like Alijah Vera-Tucker
Baltimore has to add a steady piece at guard this offseason. The duo of Andrew Vorhees and Daniel Faalele was a thorn in the offense’s side all year. Countless plays broke down due to Vorhees’ and Faalele’s inability to develop any sort of consistency up front, and that needs to change.
There’s actually a pretty strong free agency class when it comes to guards, but many are veterans nearing the end of their careers. Vera-Tucker, on the other hand, could be entering the prime of his career. That is, as long as he can stay on the field.
All 32 teams may be wary of signing Vera-Tucker to a longer deal. From 2022 to 2025, he’s only played in 27 out of a possible 68 games. Injuries have ended his season three separate times, including a triceps tear in 2022 and 2025, and an Achilles tear in 2023.
Still, Vera-Tucker is just 26 years old. In the 43 career games he has played, he’s been excellent, too. Throughout his career, he hasn’t posted a Pro Football Focus grade lower than 66.8, and had a career-high of 77.7 in 2024.
Vera-Tucker would be a piece that Lamar Jackson hasn’t really had in his career. Sure, he’s had the likes of Marshal Yanda and Kevin Zeitler blocking on the interior, but he’s never had a young, proven guard paving the way for him. Vera-Tucker could be the piece that sticks around for the foreseeable future in Charm City, and Jackson would be incredibly grateful if he could stay healthy.
DeCosta should at least negotiate with Vera-Tucker if he hits free agency. The medicals won’t look great, but it’s a high-stakes gamble that the Ravens need to take to free up Jackson, Derrick Henry, and company. It could take their offense to another level.