What could have been... Dallas Cowboys legend and future Hall of Famer Zack Martin was once seen as a dream free-agent target for the Baltimore Ravens—until that dream vanished.
The thought of a seven-time First-Team All-Pro paving the way for Derrick Henry while keeping Lamar Jackson upright was almost too good to be true. Confirmed: That dream is dead. Martin has officially retired, leaving Baltimore back at square one in its search for a veteran guard.
That’s the bad news. The good news? There’s another battle-tested interior lineman that should still pique the interest of the Purple and Black—one who might just be another glove-like fit. Enter Brandon Scherff, the five-time Pro Bowler, and 10-year veteran mauler who could bring much-needed stability to Baltimore’s offensive line.
No, he’s not the future Hall of Famer that Martin is, but he’s still an elite veteran who can keep Jackson clean and bring a nasty edge to the trenches.
Brandon Scherff is the Ravens' New No. 1 Target
Scherff has been stuck on bad teams his entire career, and it’s time for him to finally play for a contender. The Ravens need a reliable veteran presence at guard, and Scherff checks every box. He didn’t allow a single sack in 2024, committed just two penalties, and surrendered only 17 pressures across 1,013 snaps. That kind of consistency is exactly what Baltimore needs next to Tyler Linderbaum.
The Ravens’ offensive line is at a crossroads. Patrick Mekari is set to hit free agency, and there’s a strong chance he won’t be back.
Meanwhile, Ben Cleveland and Andrew Vorhees haven’t proven to be viable starting options. The front office could turn to the draft to fill the void, but adding a veteran like Scherff would provide an immediate upgrade and give Baltimore some breathing room in the trenches.
At 33, Scherff isn’t a long-term solution, but he doesn’t necessarily have to be. Baltimore is built to win now, and short-term moves that maximize Jackson’s window should be the priority. Scherff brings experience, durability, and the kind of mean streak that fits perfectly in Baltimore’s smash-mouth identity.
Martin’s retirement changes might have altered the Ravens’ plans, but it doesn’t change their needs. If they want to keep their offensive line elite while maintaining financial flexibility, Scherff is the answer. He’s still playing at a high level, and more importantly, he’s ready for a real shot at a Super Bowl—something Baltimore can absolutely offer.