The Baltimore Ravens lost very few starters this past offseason. Most of their starters who departed, like cornerback Brandon Stephens and safety Marcus Williams, were negative assets throughout the 2024 campaign. One loss that was not talked about enough, though, is thriving with his new team, and the Ravens are missing him deeply after Week 1 of the NFL season.
Versatile offensive guard Patrick Mekari earned a well-deserved payday from the Jacksonville Jaguars in March, signing for three years and $37.5 million. While he was not a flashy piece in Baltimore during his six-year tenure, Mekari was incredibly impactful. That impact is already being felt in Jacksonville.
Jaguars are paying $37.5 million to learn what Ravens already knew
Mekari did not allow a single pressure in the Jaguars’ 26-10 Week 1 win over the Carolina Panthers. He also contributed to an outstanding effort by a Jacksonville rushing attack that tallied 200 yards on the day. He provided starting-caliber play throughout the game, keeping Trevor Lawrence’s pocket clean. He finished with a 68.6 overall grade, per Pro Football Focus (PFF).
While the 28-year-old struggled with penalties last year, with 14, many of which killed drives and negated big plays, he was a reliable piece on an offensive line that lost both of its starters the year prior. In his final season with the Ravens, he had his fair share of struggles in the run game, but once again proved dominance as a pass blocker. He posted a 70.3 grade in that department, good for 34th in the league, per PFF. After Week 1, Baltimore is undoubtedly missing his services.
The team’s offensive guards struggled mightily against the Buffalo Bills. New starting left guard Andrew Vorhees registered a 46.3 grade, per PFF, and Daniel Faalele finished the night with a 59.9 grade. The duo doomed quarterback Lamar Jackson from the get-go, and while each had their positive moments in the run, they needed to be better, especially against a competitive team like the Bills.
Although Mekari was not a game-changer last year, it is clear he could help out the current offensive line situation. The unit was a huge reason why the Ravens lost on Sunday. On the other hand, Mekari and Jacksonville’s play up front played a huge role in their win. General Manager Eric DeCosta did not have the money for Mekari, and you could make the case that he got overpaid in free agency. But after one performance, he is proving to be well worth the investment.