Week 1 of the preseason had many players stake their claims as key contributors for their respective teams heading into the 2025 NFL season. The Baltimore Ravens had only a few starting spots left to be decided, but following a strong preseason outing and an impressive training camp, it sounds like the last starting role has been filled.
Offensive guard Andrew Vorhees has been gunning for Baltimore’s starting left guard spot in 2025, and it sounds like he has finally locked it up with a few weeks to go before the regular season. He was battling Ben Cleveland all camp, but recently pulled away.
“Andrew Vorhees is in the lead. Something would have to change,” John Harbaugh said earlier in August regarding the position battle.
Following Baltimore’s win over the Indianapolis Colts on Thursday night and another great weekend of practice, Vorhees should hold that role come Week 1.
Zachary Pereles of CBS Sports highlighted several standouts and takeaways from Ravens’ training camp following their victory over the Colts. Vorhees was one of the key players mentioned. Pereles wrote:
“The Ravens replace just one starter -- left guard -- on offense, and it appears Andrew Vorhees has the upper hand in winning that job over Ben Cleveland. Vorhees continues to get more reps there with the first-string offense of late, and Saturday's practice was a good one for the 2023 seventh-rounder out of USC.”
Andrew Vorhees expected to help lead the offensive line into Week 1
Cleveland has been giving the 26-year-old a run for his money as of late, but Vorhees has now cemented his claim in the left guard spot. That “something” that would have had to change, that Harbaugh was talking about, has yet to occur for Cleveland, as Vorhees’ performance against Indianapolis only widened the gap.
Following the preseason opener, Vorhees, who played 12 offensive snaps, earned a 92.3 grade per Pro Football Focus (PFF). This included an 89.9 run blocking grade and 78.0 for pass blocking. His elite grades translated on the field, helping put points on the board with an early touchdown by running back Keaton Mitchell.
Key block on the Mitchell TD run by pulling LG Andrew Vorhees. Vorhees began the summer in competition for the LG job but has been considered the front-runner throughout https://t.co/MsWgxaSBkv
— Bo Smolka (@bsmolka) August 7, 2025
Cleveland also had a solid night. He posted an 83.4 overall grade per PFF, along with an 83.1 grade on 16 run blocking snaps, but an abysmal 31.6 on six pass blocking reps.
There is still time for Cleveland to get back in the running, or even fight for Daniel Faalele’s right guard spot if the Minnesota product continues to disappoint in preseason (he ended the night with a 40.7 overall PFF grade). However, Vorhees has taken enormous steps forward this offseason and should undoubtedly start at left guard this year.