The Baltimore Ravens’ 2025 NFL Draft class was pretty underwhelming last season. The entire team was, but no one really stood out among those guys. Thankfully, the rumblings in Charm City signal some excitement surrounding that group.
Of the most notable names, Malaki Starks knows he can be better in year two, Mike Green seems poised to take major strides, and Teddye Buchanan will look to continue being a reliable starter. And even those without starting reps available to them could have important roles in 2026.
Emery Jones Jr. is one of those guys. After an offseason overhaul along the offensive front, Jones has no chance at being a starter this season. However, offensive line coach Dwayne Ledford is challenging the 22-year-old to be a key backup: one that’s a Swiss Army Knife.
Coach Ledford on Emery Jones Jr. “If he can be the 6th or 7th guy and play multiple positions, that’s outstanding for us.”
— “Cordell” Woodland (@CordellWoodland) August 3, 2026
Emery Jones Jr. has chance to be do-it-all lineman for Baltimore Ravens
Last year, Jones had some starting-level hype. A torn labrum prevented him from ramping up for his rookie season in the way many others had hoped, but he eventually returned to the field and was activated ahead of Week 8. Unfortunately, even with an absurdly bad offensive line, Jones only saw time on offense in a sporadic rotational capacity.
Jones did show flashes of competence, though. It clearly didn’t give the Ravens enough confidence to roll with him as a starter in 2026—they signed John Simpson to a three-year, $30 million deal and drafted Vega Ioane in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft; however, he has a real opportunity to become the lead backup.
Jones has the versatility that could help him become a super-sub in a way. Based on what Ledford said, the team views him as a player with the kind of potential to be the go-to guy at multiple positions.
At LSU, Jones starred as a right tackle. He took over as the starter there early in his freshman year, making 36 career collegiate starts.
In the NFL, he’s been more of an interior offensive lineman. In the 49 offensive snaps he played in 2025, he rotated with guard Andrew Vorhees. That might be the spot that Baltimore feels suits him best.
While a backup role might be a disappointing reality for a player that fans had high hopes for, that’s still a valuable role. Injuries happen, so the team would be putting a lot of faith into Jones if they make him the sixth offensive lineman in the room. And when you can play both guard and tackle, that becomes even more important.
Of course, Jones won’t just be given this opportunity. He has to earn it, and will be battling Vorhees to be the lead backup guard and Carson Vinson to be the lead backup tackle. With a strong training camp, he can win that competition.
Add us as a preferred source on Google