There was not much that was weird about the Baltimore Ravens’ 2025 offseason. They only lost two starters–Patrick Mekari and Brandon Stephens–and brought in another extremely talented rookie class per usual. However, the way they addressed the loss of Mekari is irritating many Ravens’ fans, and it could lead to their downfall in 2025.
Mekari was the heartbeat of the team’s offensive line. He could play any position along the trenches and was a key piece in Baltimore’s historic offense last year. This offseason, the 28-year-old signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars, leaving a massive hole.
The Ravens did not do much in response. They re-signed veteran guard Ben Cleveland and selected tackle Emery Jones Jr. in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The depth could be strong this year, as once Jones returns from his labrum injury, he will likely move inside to guard. The play is largely unproven among both the right and left guard spots, though.
Week 1 of the regular season is quickly closing in, and as Baltimore gets set for their matchup with the Buffalo Bills on Sunday Night Football, they will be rolling out Daniel Faalele at right guard and Andrew Vorhees at left guard.
Faalele flashed his potential in 2024, but was inconsistent as ever. As for Vorhees, he failed to win the job early last season, and the jury is still out on whether he can provide NFL-caliber play. You cannot have above-average starters everywhere on the field, but for a run-heavy football team, it was strange to see a lack of attention put on the offensive guards over the offseason.
Weirdest offseason move could derail Ravens' 2025 Super Bowl run
Cleveland should not have been the only move addressing guard this offseason. He has been disappointing in his NFL career. Yes, the Jones selection could also ultimately address that spot, but there were better veterans on the free agent market that Baltimore could have signed to address their guard problem. There are still better options.
Shaq Mason and Dalton Risner are two veteran free agents who can still contribute to starting units in the NFL ahead of 2025. Faalele, Vorhees, and Cleveland have yet to prove they can be reliable blockers, and there is no reason they should be the lead contributors on the interior alongside Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum.
If Mason or Risner is still a free agent in the coming weeks, they should certainly get a call from Baltimore. NFL roster cutdown day could also open up options for the Ravens to sign and improve their guard play.