Latest Ravens rumors show genius strategy to build OL in NFL Draft

The Baltimore Ravens have been frequently projected to select an offensive lineman with their No. 30 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, as they need to give Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson some extra help after losing Morgan Moses, Kevin Zeitler, and John Simpson in free agency.

If the latest rumors are to be believed, the Ravens may not end up selecting a tackle with their first pick. Rather, they will let an internal option slide in while converting their first-round pick inside to guard.

According to insider Tony Pauline, Arizona tackle Jordan Morgan is in play for the Ravens at No. 30 overall, even though it is far from a guarantee he would play right tackle as a rookie. Per Pauline's sources, Morgan could start the season at guard if he ends up being the pick.

Pauline asserted the Ravens are so confident in the talent they have on hand, particularly right tackle Daniel Faalele and left guard Andrew Vorhees, that they felt comfortable letting Moses end up on the Jets. Considering how Baltimore has been adamant about building their line internally, this seems like a fairly robust plan to keep them competitive.

Baltimore Ravens targeting Jordan Morgan in 2024 NFL Draft

Morgan is a fringe first-round player with tremendous power, heavy hands, and solid second-level blocking. Be it at tackle or guard, he projects as a player with a long career in the pros. He could be a safer option than athletic gambles like Tyler Guyton and Amarius Mims.

Moving Morgan, who played left tackle almost exclusively in college, to guard would cause problems. If he goes to left guard, Vorhees would need to shift to the right side or take on a backup role behind Ben Cleveland. If Morgan goes to right guard, Baltimore would change his primary position and side of the field.

Morgan has enough athleticism to eventually become a right tackle in the league, even if taking a more natural right-sided player like Guyton or Mims could be a prudent strategy. DeCosta seems to believe in the philosophy of getting the team's best five linemen on the field in some form or fashion, and drafting someone with the athleticism to move around would fit that idea.

The Ravens will be banking on four starters on rookie contracts and the oft-injured Ronnie Stanley next season. While that sounds risky (because it is), Baltimore's ability to promote from within and draft well should be discarded at your own peril.