5 biggest takeaways from Baltimore Ravens offseason programs
4. Baltimore Ravens have a left guard competition
While it was clear that he would have to earn it, the thought was that former third-round pick Ben Cleveland would finally be ready to start at left guard after sitting behind Ben Powers for two years.
However, the competition went from a defacto duel to an all-out brawl when the Baltimore Ravens started moving some pieces around. Early on, the competition was expected to be Cleveland against John Simpson.
Simpson has started in the NFL but is a veteran who was not desired, so Cleveland has the leg up on paper. However, the Baltimore Ravens also have been working Daniel Faalele and Sala Amuave-Laulu into left guard.
These two were expected to spend the year as depth right tackles, and then they would compete for that role. However, the Ravens are having them work at left guard and have made it clear that both players are in the mix to start this season.
While the depth right tackles have been getting work at left guard, the supposed starting left guard was filling in for them at right tackle. And he was struggling in his time at right tackle.
So, Cleveland went from the pole position to start at left guard to struggling at backup right tackle quickly. That is pretty notable. Was this just a test, or is this a sign that Cleveland will not be starting?