The NFL Draft is closing in fast, and most of free agency has been in full-on nap mode for days. That’s pretty typical this time of year, especially for the Baltimore Ravens. But while the splashy signings have slowed, the Ravens are still doing their homework—and they’re doing it where and when most people aren’t looking.
The offensive line is mostly intact heading into 2025. Ronnie Stanley re-signed on a three-year deal. Roger Rosengarten was awesome as a rookie. But zoom in a little closer, things get a little murky. Patrick Mekari is beach-living in Jacksonville. Josh Jones signed with the Seattle Seahawks. That swing tackle role? Wide open. And the Ravens shouldn't head into 2025 with such a major question mark lurking in the background.
That’s why they’re sniffing around multiple options, including small-school riser Charles Grant from William & Mary. But they’re not just looking at draft prospects. According to The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec and Joseph Person, Baltimore will host veteran George Fant on a free-agent visit this week.
George Fant could be the swing tackle fix a legitimate need
Fant’s not an unproven project. He’s a nine-year veteran with 101 games under his belt and 75 career starts. He’s played both left and right tackle. He knows the job. And more importantly, he knows how to stay ready—even when he’s not the starter. He spoke with Person in an interview on Tuesday:
“There’s a couple other teams that I’ve been talking to,” Fant said. “But those two are really intriguing to me. Obviously, Baltimore being a contender and Nashville being where I live at. So I’m definitely interested.”
Fant was limited to just two games last season due to a knee injury, but his versatility and track record make him a logical fit. He’s played for the Seahawks (twice), the New York Jets, and the Houston Texans, and at 32 years old, he still looks like someone who could step in and hold his own if called upon.
Oh, and did we mention he used to be a basketball player? Fant played four years at Western Kentucky before switching to football, and he’s now starting a business to help other hoopers make that same jump. One of his guys, Coastal Carolina’s Colin Granger, just signed with the Carolina Panthers as a tight end.
That’s a fun side story, but the real focus is what Fant could bring to the Ravens. He won’t cost much. He won’t start unless he has to. But he's got good size (6-foot-5, 316 pounds) and knows how to play in this league, and that’s exactly what Baltimore needs behind Stanley and Rosengarten.
Whether they wait until May to protect the compensatory pick formula or pull the trigger sooner, this is a fit that makes a lot of sense for Baltimore. It's clear they're looking to address the holes left behind by Jones and Mekari. Fant could be a nice, low-risk play for the Ravens.