Which offensive lineman will replace Andrew Vorhees if he can’t play against the Buffalo Bills in Week 4?
With starting left guard Andrews Vorhees not practicing all week, it’s unclear if he’ll be on the field against the Buffalo Bills in Week 4. While he did a mini-workout on a side field on Friday, the likelihood of Vorhees starting Sunday night appears slim. What options do the Ravens have to replace him?
Coach Harbaugh on Andrew Vorhees: pic.twitter.com/qeNTPDgscj
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 27, 2024
Patrick Mekari
While Mekari has recently been the starting right tackle for the Ravens this season, his traditional role in Baltimore has typically been a 6th-man. Mekari earned his extension by being a do-it-all guy, capable of playing all five spots on the line.While guard hasn’t been his best spot in the NFL, the Ravens clearly like Mekaris play this year and would like to see him stay in the lineup. If they think Roger Rosengarten is ready for the start across from Von Miller, this is the most likely option.
Ben Cleveland
If the Ravens don’t feel confident in Rosengarten, then Mekari would have to stick at tackle, leaving the left spot open. The next obvious candidate would be Cleveland. Cleveland has seven career starts at guard, including two starts last year against Miami and Pittsburg.While Cleveland played well in those two starts, handling Christian Wilkins in Miami and the Steelers defensive line, he lost the job to Daniel Faalele at right guard. It remains to be seen if Cleveland is the next man up at either guard spot. Head coach John Harbaugh didn’t give Cleveland the most glowing review recently.
”If Ben [Cleveland] had earned at the job at right guard, he’d be the starting right guard,” Harbaugh said after Week 2. “So, [when] you look at the tape, he didn’t beat out Daniel [Faalele] or anybody. I think Ben is a good player. I like Ben. I want Ben to take the next step. He’s in the … What year is he in – third year or fourth year? He’s in his fourth year. Ben knows what he needs to do. If he wants playing time, he knows how he needs to play, and he knows how he needs to practice, when he gets that chance. So, our evaluation right now is that Daniel outplayed Ben – just a fact, straight up, matter of fact.”
It is important to note that Cleveland has played right guard and it is unknown if the Ravens are comfortable with him on the left side. Cleveland has picked up tackle and center in different years during preseason, so he could likely play there left side.
Josh Jones
Jones is a new and relatively unknown piece in Baltimore. While he’s mainly been a left tackle during his NFL career, and been his best spot, Jones does have experience in the guard spot and got reps there during the preseason in Baltimore. If Mekari stays at right tackle and whatever issues Cleveland is working through aren’t solved enough for Harbaugh to put him out there, Josh Jones probably has the next spot up over the other two guard candidates who have been healthy scratches this season.