In a league of giants, Baltimore Ravens right tackle Daniel Faalele still may be the biggest one out there. At 6-8 and a generous 380 pounds, no one is questioning the fact that he has the size and strength needed to become a starting offensive lineman in the NFL.
Faalele, who was picked in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, has started just one game in two years as he continues to work on the more technical aspects of the position. 2024, however, might be the year John Harbaugh trusts him as a starter on the right side.
With three of the Ravens' five offensive line starters from last year playing elsewhere, including veteran tackle Morgan Moses, Faalele now has a spot opened up for him. Harbaugh seems very bullish on his potential and what he can bring to the table.
"He can come off the ball, and that's what we want Daniel to do, because that's what he was born to do," Harbaugh said, via the Ravens' official website. "He's got great feet, and the ability to sustain a block. The ability to sustain a block, whether it's run or pass, zone or gap, or man or drive block, is really the bottom line."
Why John Harbaugh is confident in @DanielFaalele_: pic.twitter.com/ZO5kCL7ZH5
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) April 2, 2024
John Harbaugh believes in Daniel Faalele as Ravens starting RT
The Australian-born Faalele only started learning football in 2016 at age 17, making his jump to the pros seven years later even more remarkable. With two years of professional coaching under his belt, Faalele should be ready for an enhanced role.
Faalele has played just 17% of snaps in his first two seasons, but he did show fairly solid run-blocking and quick feet for someone his size when he needed to pass block. While it would be unwise to hand him the starting right tackle job right away, it seems like he has the inside track on the starting gig.
Versatile backup Patrick Mekari is still waiting around, and new signing Josh Jones could wiggle his way into a prominent role. The Ravens have also been connected to many of the top tackles in the 2024 NFL Draft, which could bring more competition for Faalele into the fold.
Faalele has proven to be a quick study, as he went from literally zero experience with the game to a D-I starter at Minnesota in just a few years and was drafted by an NFL team a couple after that. If he's improved his technique enough, Faalele might be ready to make the jump from backup to starter.