Could Baltimore Ravens experiment with Daniel Faalele stick?

OTAs are usually not the time for the news to be breaking, but small developments can start here, and form into stories that are made in training camp and the preseason. One note from the Baltimore Ravens OTA sessions was that Daniel Faalele, a player who has predominantly played right tackle throughout his career was working at left guard.

Baltimore Ravens are playing Daniel Faalele at Left Guard

John Harbaugh explained that it is a bit experimental, and there is no better time to try things out than OTAs. Still, Harbaugh also noted that the move may linger into training camp.

" I wanted to see what he looked like – before we got out of the minicamp and the OTAs [organized team activities] – at left guard, and he looked good. He could stay a little more square and things like that, but his feet look good, his hands look good – he's able to punch quickly with his hands and react pretty quickly in there – so I wouldn't rule him out as a potential left guard."

- John Harbaugh

There are two reasons this makes sense. First, they do have a bigger need at left guard than right tackle as the roster stands. Morgan Moses was a trusted starter last season. The Baltimore Ravens just lost Ben Powers, their starting left guard. Ben Cleveland is expected to step into the role, but it is all projection at this point. So, if Cleveland does not take hold of the job in training camp, the Ravens want to have a backup option.

Beyond that, Faalele is entering year two, so he certainly should have progressed. If the Ravens see how much better he has gotten, and they want to get him on the field, his best bet is left guard. This does make sense.

However, for now it does appear like more of an emergency situation and something that they would turn to if needed down the line. Getting him some work in these sessions is probably the best time for a just in case scenario.

The Baltimore Ravens were also working Ben Cleveland at right tackle in these sessions, so they were looking at all kinds of different players in differing scenarios. While Faalele may have taken a step in year two, he is a day three pick, and Cleveland was a third round pick in year three. He has experience and pedigree that say he will be the first name called to start at left guard.

Beyond that, the Ravens like what they saw from Morgan Moses but have to understand that at his age, he is probably good for only one more season of this level of play. Faalele could be on the same path as Cleveland, which is starting by year three.

It is nice to have Cleveland get work on the right side, and push Faalele over to left guard, but when training camp begins you should expect Cleveland to hold down the left guard spot unless he struggles.