The Baltimore Ravens need help at left guard—and a newly proposed idea has them filling it with one of the best veterans still on the market.
After losing Patrick Mekari to the Jacksonville Jaguars in free agency, the Ravens suddenly have a hole in the interior—one they’re hoping former seventh-round pick Andrew Vorhees can fill. But with Vorhees still unproven after an ACL tear wiped out his rookie year, then an ankle injury took him off the field in 2024, the rest of the depth chart feels more “project” than “plug-in.” That’s not ideal when the goal is another Super Bowl run.
That's why Pro Football Network’s Mark Stolte recently floated Dalton Risner as the best remaining free agent fit for Baltimore. And honestly? It’s hard to argue against it.
Dalton Risner makes a lot of sense for Baltimore
Risner wouldn't necessarily generate headlines, but his track record is the kind of boringly effective the Ravens could use right now. The 29-year-old started 62 games across four years in Denver, then posted a quietly solid 2024 campaign in Minnesota, finishing with a 76.2 pass-blocking grade from PFF (13th among guards), no sacks allowed, and zero penalties.
That’s actually better than what Mekari offered last year. And he also comes with a cheaper price tag.
Baltimore doesn’t need Risner to be a star. They just need him to be steady. A capable, low-cost vet who can hold things down while Vorhees proves himself—or doesn’t. And if Risner ends up starting all year and performs well? That’s a win.
As it stands, the only names competing for starting reps at left guard are Vorhees, and... that's it. Maybe whoever they draft will compete for a starting spot, but as of now, it's Vorhees or bust. It’s a group with some promise, but not much certainty. Risner changes that. He’s not a long-term piece, but he’s the kind of stopgap that makes everything easier—for Lamar Jackson, for Derrick Henry, and for offensive coordinator Todd Monken.
Signing Risner wouldn’t stop the Ravens from drafting someone either. Armed with 11 draft picks, Baltimore still has plenty of ammo to add a guard they actually like—not just one they feel like they must settle for. Alabama’s Tyler Booker and Georgia’s Tate Ratledge both fit the Ravens’ downhill run scheme and could be Day 2 targets. On Day 3, someone like North Carolina’s Willie Lampkin or Cincinnati’s Luke Kandra could bring developmental upside without the pressure to start right away.
That’s the sweet spot: draft a guy Eric DeCosta believes in and let him grow behind a vet who knows how can show him the ropes.
We're on board with the signing. Risner’s still on the market. If the Ravens want stability without overcommitting, this is the move. Plug him in, draft for the future, and keep things rolling.