The Baltimore Ravens earned exemplary marks for their 2024 NFL Draft, with pundits surprised they were able to add star prospects like Clemson's Nate Wiggins and Washington's Roger Rosengarten without humungous trade ups while simultaneously addressing the team's big holes.
The one issue Baltimore failed to improve in the Draft was their susect interior offensive line. Baltimore had a chance to make an addition on Day 2, but they instead added Penn State edge rusher Adisa Isaac. Guard was passed over again on Day 3, as Devontez Walker and TJ Tampa were picked in the fourth round.
The current depth chart features Andrew Vorhees at left guard and Ben Cleveland at right guard, with versatile switchblade Patrick Mekari and possible veteran guard convert Josh Jones behind them. Determined to prioritize value above all else, Baltimore was impressed by the guards left over in this class.
According to Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic, the Ravens were turned away from drafting a guard when a run on interior offensive linemen in the third round left the position fairly bereft of talent. This is the same reason the Ravens didn't take a running back until the fifth round after a run on backs in the fourth.
Names like Dominick Puni, Cooper Beebe, and Christian Haynes came off the board in he third round, which led to the Ravens taking Isaac. Baltimore took Tampa in the fourth round after backs like Jaylen Wright, Braelon Allen, and Bucky Irving went off the board before that pick.
Your 2024 Ravens Draft Class‼️ pic.twitter.com/1zTfgtoqVo
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Ravens writer explains Baltimore's decision not to draft guards in 2024 NFL Draft
The Ravens waited until the seventh round to draft an interior lineman at all, adding a center in Michigan State's Nick Samac who will likely be used as a backup to Tyler Linderbaum. Baltimore seems confident in their projected starting duo after an offseason of change.
Cleveland has been in Baltimore forever, and he may have finally done enough to earn himself a starting spot after years as a backup. Vorhees would have been a Day 2 pick had he not been injured, and Baltimore would not be looked at sideways if they want to give him a shot to start.
The Ravens could leave the door open for a veteran guard like Dalton Risner, but that seems less likely the longer the offseason drags on. Baltimore nailed it in the draft, and their unwillingness to reach on a guard they didn't think would be a quality fit.