4 critical observations from Ravens 2024 OTAs and Minicamp

2. Ben Cleveland is not locked in as a starter

Both guard spots are vacant for Baltimore, though conventional wisdom seemed to hint that Cleveland would become the starter at right guard while Andrew Vorhees moves over to left guard. Unfortunately for the fourth-year guard, Baltimore isn't handing him the starting spot without some competition.

Not only does Cleveland need to beat out versatile veteran Patrick Mekari and second-year player Malaesala Aumavae–Laulu, but former Day 3 prospect Daniel Faalele has also been thrown into the mix. Faalele, competing with rookie Roger Rosengarten at right tackle, was given a good chunk of first-team reps at right guard,

Ben Cleveland may not start for the Baltimore Ravens

Cleveland has received a handful of spot starts when the need has arisen over the last few seasons, but his performance has been fairly average in that action. By no means is he entrenched as a starter, and the Faalele move only reinforces that concept for this staff.

If Rosengarten wins the right tackle job (which it seems like he eventually will), the Ravens will need to decide if cross-training Faalele at right guard would be a more fruitful endeavor than the known quantity in Cleveland. If the answer is in the affirmative, Cleveland could be out of town soon.