3 Baltimore Ravens players who improved their chances of starting in 2023

Earlier in the offseason, we looked at three starting positions on the Baltimore Ravens where the job is not given to a specific player yet. While the preseason is not a full perspective, and it only was one game, we definitely saw trends that may show us who has the lead in specific position battles. Who took advantage in week one and may have the edge to start for the Ravens when the regular season kicks off?

3. John Simpson is currently winning the Baltimore Ravens left guard job

The starting left guard job has been an interesting battle with a roller coaster ride of emotions. It started with Ben Cleveland looking like the starter. John Simpson was just a veteran brought in to push him, and Sala Aumavae-Laulu is a sixth-round rookie. Neither was supposed to win the job.

By OTAs, it looked like it became a battle between SAL, and Simpson, as Cleveland was pushed out. This showed more than ever in the preseason. Cleveland did not take a single snap at left guard, showing that it is a two-man competition.

After one game, it is easy to think that Simpson is the leader in the clubhouse. Simpson started this game and got the work with the more notable lineman. While he played a bit fewer snaps than SAL, Simpson got his snaps against the better group of Eagles defenders.

Even against the weaker set of players, SAL looked like the worse lineman than Simpson. It was his rookie debut, and he is a day-three pick, so this should be no shock. Still, after the practice reports, there were thoughts that Aumavae-Laulu would play well, but it looked like the power of the NFL was a new jolt for him.

There is still time, but as of now, Simpson is ahead on the depth chart and looks better against better competition. It is hard to say that he is not winning right now.