The Baltimore Ravens offensive line went from an area of overwhelming strength last season to arguably the biggest question mark on the roster. Three of the five starters from last season, including Pro Bowl guard Kevin Zeitler, have already left for (literally) greener pastures elsewhere.
Both Simpson and Moses are now on the New York Jets after the former signed a two-year contract and the latter was traded away. Zeitler, who put together perhaps the finest season of a very long and fruitful NFL career, signed a one-year deal with the Detroit Lions to replace Jonah Jackson.
The Ravens can't feel satisfied with their current offensive line, as projected replacement starters like Andrew Vorhees, Ben Cleveland, and Daniel Faalele have a combined eight starts between them, seven of which came from Cleveland. Eric DeCosta needs to make some additions in the free agent market.
The Ravens were able to turn Simpson into a quality starter and get the most out of Zeitler last year, showing they can identify and expand on offensive line talent on the open market. These three players all stand out as relatively economical options that could give the offensive line a stronger foundation.
3 offensive guards the Baltimore Ravens must sign in free agency
3. Nick Gates, Washington Commanders
Gates has played a lot of center during his professional career, which he has spent primarily with the New York Giants. However, he's put together enough good tape at guard when called upon to warrant another chance as a starter with a team that likes to pound the rock.
While much less powerful and strong than Simpson, Gates, who recovered from a gruesome leg injury with enough aplomb to become a starter in Washington last year, is a fairly solid athlete who can make blocks in the open field. He could serve as a nice counterbalance between two more rugged run-blockers in Cleveland and center Tyler Linderbaum.
The Baltimore Ravens could target Nick Gates in free agency
While Gates will have injury concerns and is fresh off allowing five sacks last year, Sam Howell holding the ball preposterously long contributed to many of Gates' poor numbers. Very few starting-caliber offensive linemen under the age of 30 are still out there on the market. Gates' experience could be an invaluable tool for him on the open market.
The Ravens shouldn't go into the season with a bunch of tomato cans blocking for Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson, but they should feel more confident than most teams in their ability to elevate good offensive line play to a higher level. Gates was a much better player in New York and Washington than Simpson was with the Las Vegas Raiders.
2. Andrus Peat, New Orleans Saints
Peat has been a solid draft pick for the Saints, but some reasonably serious recurring injury issues and New Orleans' own cap issues have the club ready to move on from the three-time Pro Bowl lineman. While he came into the league as a tackle, his best spot will likely be as a road-grading guard at this stage of his career.
Peat was fairly respectable last year, allowing just two sacks in 809 offensive snaps for a team that liked to throw the ball a lot. If the Ravens feel confident in taking on a player with his past injury history, Peat could end up in Baltimore as the starting left guard between the restructured Ronnie Stanley and Tyler Linderbaum.
The Baltimore Ravens could take a chance on Andrus Peat
The Ravens seem to like some of their internal depth at the guard spots, as Cleveland seems like a natural to slide in at right guard while Vorhees could perform like the Top-75 player he was before his ACL tear at the NFL Combine. This could make Baltimore more willing to take a chance on an injury-prone player.
Peat may not be what he once was, but Baltimore's scheme did make a Pro Bowler out of Zeitler and helped Simpson go from a practice squad washout to a starting guard who signed a multi-year contract. Going to this offense might be the nitro boost Peat needs to get his career back on track.
1. Dalton Risner, Minnesota Vikings
Risner took a long time to sign last offseason, and he hasn't agreed to a deal yet this year as he tries to find a "starting guard contract" that pays him fairly. While the Ravens don't have a Scrooge McDuck vault of gold coins to throw at him, Risner is clearly the best option left on the market.
Risner was a solid left guard for both Denver during his first four campaigns and Minnesota, where he didn't allow a single sack last season. Risner may be limited to left guard exclusively, but he could be a much better player than Vorhees in a make-or-break 2024 season.
Dalton Risner could start for the Baltimore Ravens
Risner may be the only guard left on the market who could be a high-end starter, won't necessarily break the bank, and comes without injury concerns. Baltimore won't be the only contender with eyes on him, and a return to the Vikings is still a possibility.
The Ravens promoting some of their draft picks to starting roles is not a bad idea in a vacuum, but they can't lean on so many question marks in such an important season. Adding Risner to the team gives Baltimore a more reliable veteran presence who can provide solid play at a position of need in a year that could be a complete mess if they don't make it deep into the postseason.