The Baltimore Ravens know that they will go as far as their offensive line allows Lamar Jackson to take them. That is why they have invested so much in the depth of this unit to ensure they can withstand any injuries. Through two weeks, how has the offensive line looked? Who are the standouts, and how would you grade the unit?
Baltimore Ravens left tackle
Patrick Mekari: 78 snaps
Primary matchup: Trey Hendrickson, Jonathan Greenard
Patrick Mekari stepped in for Ronnie Stanley about halfway through week one, finished that game, and then started and finished week two. He has been the primary left tackle for about six games now, with 393 snaps in his career. Mekari was fine when called upon in the Texans game, but his play at left tackle against Trey Hendrickson has to be commended. He did an incredible job of pushing Hendrickson outside his pass-rush loop, and he kept Lamar Jackson clean. Beyond that, he was excellent as a run blocker. It was as good as you can ask.
Ronnie Stanley: 49 snaps
Primary matchup: Jonathan Greenard
Ronnie Stanley gave up an early sack to Jonathan Greenard. Overall, Stanley looked okay but was brushing some rust off before he got hurt. His lack of playing time is starting to become a serious issue, and now you have to wonder how it will impact his play when he returns. We probably will not get to see the All-Pro caliber player again.
Patrick Mekari: A
Ronnie Stanley: C-
Baltimore Ravens left guard
John Simpson: 139 snaps
Primary matchup: Maliek Collins, DJ Reader
John Simpson won the starting left guard job in training camp and never looked back. The Baltimore Ravens have made Sala Aumavae-Laulu inactive as they clearly saw Simpson as the better option. Through two weeks, it has made sense. Simpson held his own against the Houston Texans.
He has done a great job of getting to the second level as a blocker and extending runs. However, his pass rush has been up and down at times. Simpson held up against Maliek Collins in week one, but in week two, D.J. Reader beat him too often with power. We saw enough in the run game from Simpson not to be concerned, but this was a matchup loss, and he could not hold up.
Will this be a reoccurring issue for Simpson where the level of play determines his ability? Still, Collins has some talent as well, so it is not like he went from a weak matchup to a tough one; he went from above average to one of the best.
John Simpson Grade: B-
Baltimore Ravens center
Sam Mustipher: 80 snaps
Tyler Linderbaum: 59 snaps
Kurt Hinish, DJ Reader
The Baltimore Ravens have had to roll with a second center after Tyler Linderbaum left the first game of the season with an ankle injury. Linderbaum played almost the entire first game, more than Ronnie Stanley did in week one.
Still, he was mainly untested against the Texans four-man front. He saw a lot of Kurt Hinish, a UDFA in his second season. It was not a major test for Linderbaum, who looked like he may be taking a step in year two.
Then, Sam Mustipher came in for week two. The Bengals play different fronts and rely on their nose tackle much more. For Mustipher, this meant playing face-up against Reader but also seeing Zach Carter and Josh Tupuo.
Mustipher was strong in this game. He did not get out into the run game often and was not getting pushed, but the pocket was not getting pushed back by any of these names. The Baltimore Ravens made sure to sign a depth center with legitimate starting experience, and after week two, we saw exactly why.
Tyler Linderbaum: A
Sam Mustipher: A
Baltimore Ravens right guard:
Kevin Zeitler: 139 snaps
Primary matchup: Sheldon Rankins, BJ Hill
Kevin Zeitler struggled in week one. He was slow off of the ball in the run game, and he was losing hand battles in the passing game. It was far from what you expect from a long-time starter. Zeitler was much better in week two but still did not have the impact you would expect.
Zeitelr was at his best in the run game against the Bengals. He had multiple pulling plays where he was able to seal the hole and create running lanes. However, his pass protection has been up and down through two games. Sheldon Rankins and BJ Hill are solid competition, but they are not the best, and there will be tougher days for Zeitler. So, while he has not done anything alarming yet, it is worth noticing that the Ravens worst offensive lineman through two weeks has probably been Kevin Zeitler. Is age catching up to him, or is he just getting into the swing of the season? It is fair to say he was better in week two than he was in week one.
Kevin Zeitler Grade: C-
Baltimore right tackle:
Morgan Moses: 139 snaps
Primary matchup: Will Anderson, Sam Hubbard
Overall, Morgan Moses has been solid. His best contributions may have come in the run game, where he has flashed a combination of power with his arms and quick feet below to help spring some runs. In week one, he dealt with Will Anderson, which was eye-opening. It is tough to face a rookie because you do not know what to expect, but most tackles will win that matchup due to experience. For Anderson he is a different animal and won a lot of those matchups with a combination of speed and power.
However, Moses bounced back in a big way against Sam Hubbard. Moses was probably the best lineman on the field in week two. Hubbard has pass-rush moves, but he is a great run defender, and Moses was able to eliminate his presence and keep the ground game moving.
You have to ding Morgan Moses a small bit for Wil Anderson, but after two tough tests, you have to love what you are seeing as well.
Morgan Moses Grade: B+