The Ravens on Thursday waived guard Ben Cleveland, who was set to return from a three-game suspension this week.
A 2021 third-round draft pick by Baltimore, Cleveland played just three snaps this season and was a healthy scratch in three games. On Dec. 8, he was suspended three games without pay for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy.
The 27-year-old from Georgia was re-signed by the Ravens in March to a one-year, $1.17 million dollar deal after making seven starts between 2021 and 2023. He appeared in 64 games with Baltimore but never managed to get a foothold among the starting five or in the rotation.
In February, Cleveland was cited on suspicion of driving under the influence in his native Georgia after he had a BAC (blood alcohol concentration) of .178, over twice the legal limit of .08, according to police. His suspension was lifted on Dec. 29.
He pleaded guilty on Nov. 4 to one count of driving under the influence. The charge resulted in a one-year probation.
Coach John Harbaugh had previously spoken publicly about Cleveland’s difficulty securing a starting role in Baltimore. Harbaugh said that starting right guard Daniel Faalele “just a fact, straight up, matter of fact” beat him out.
“Ben knows what he needs to do. If he wants playing time, he knows how he needs to play and how he needs to practice when he gets that chance,” Harbaugh said in September 2024.
Cleveland pinned the struggles more on injuries forcing him to move around the offensive line than routinely play right guard.
“It’s been a struggle having to move around positions with injuries and stuff like that,” Cleveland told The Baltimore Sun in 2024. “But as far as adapting to other positions and just playing where I’m asked, I feel like I’ve been extremely consistent and competitive.”
Cleveland’s disappointing tenure in Baltimore now comes to an end, and it remains to be seen whether another team will claim the former first-team All-SEC lineman entering the postseason.
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