OWINGS MILLS — Center Tyler Linderbaum and left tackle Ronnie Stanley are the only returning starters on the Ravens’ offensive line next season.
The team lost starting guards Kevin Zeitler and John Simpson to free agency. The Ravens traded right tackle Morgan Moses and a fourth-round pick in this year’s NFL draft to the Jets in exchange for fourth- and sixth-round selections.
Linderbaum is not concerned about the turnover.
“It’s definitely different, but that’s a part of the business,” Linderbaum said. “Other guys get different opportunities elsewhere, and it’s just a next guy in mentality. We’ve got a good group of young guys that are eager to step in and show what they can do, and I’m excited to see how we build off of that.”
Pat Mekari and Ben Cleveland are atop the depth chart at guard. The Ravens also signed free agent Josh Jones, who can play tackle and guard, which makes him capable of competing for a starting job.
Daniel Faalele or Mekari will look to take Moses’ spot at right tackle.
“Any time you’re going to have experience under your belt, especially Ronnie has been here quite a bit, we’ve got Pat Mekari, and then I’ve gotten two years under my belt in the organization,” Linderbaum said. “We’re going to have guys that are going to have to step up and fill in. I think we have a good group of guys, a good coaching staff to be able to help the younger guys and whoever else we add that’s going to step in and play.”
The Ravens will select at least one tackle in this year’s draft, which begins next Thursday, and that player will have an opportunity to earn playing time or even start because of the lack of depth at that position, according to general manager Eric DeCosta.
Many draft experts have linked the Ravens to Georgia offensive tackle Amarius Mims in the first round of the draft. BYU’s Kingsley Suamataia, Alabama’s J.C. Latham, and Oklahoma’s Tyler Guyton also could be options.
“I think the offensive line is pretty stacked across the board in most rounds,” DeCosta said. “We see a lot of different opportunities in different rounds to get players at tackle, guard, and center, and we’re excited about that.”
The Ravens also like guard Andrew Vorhees, who was selected in the seventh round with the 229th overall pick in the 2023 draft. Vorhees had a redshirt rookie year to recover from a torn anterior cruciate ligament he suffered while participating in the Scouting Combine.
The Ravens see a huge upside with Vorhees because of his versatility to play guard and tackle.
“I saw an ability potentially for him to be a starter at guard in the league, so we’ll see,” DeCosta said. “He’s done a fantastic job with rehab. He’s very, very strong and physical – if you guys have seen him. The strength coaches and the trainers and the doctors are all very excited about him. So, we’ll see what he does.”
