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The Hidden Gem for the 2023 Baltimore Ravens

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Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu

The Baltimore Ravens 2023 hidden gem is a name that many fans outside of Baltimore will not have heard of. Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu was a sixth-round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft and has since been turning heads. The former Oregon Duck has a real chance to make a significant impact for Baltimore in 2023 and has flown under the radar of the rest of the NFL so far.

Aumavae-Laulu’s path to the NFL has been a storied one. He grew up in Palmer, Alaska, before moving to Las Vegas, where he played for Liberty High School. The young lineman was ranked as the nation’s top JUCO tackle coming out of Navarro College, which led to him committing to Oregon.

At Oregon, Aumavae-Laulu redshirted his junior season but played as a redshirt junior and redshirt senior. In his final year for the Ducks, he was a coaches’ All-Pac-12 honorable mention. After a long and winding path to the NFL, playing a pivotal role as a rookie would add another exciting chapter to Aumavae-Laulu’s story.

Baltimore Ravens 2023 Hidden Gem: Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu

Baltimore Ravens Camp Narrative Surrounding Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu

Aumavae-Laulu’s status as a late-round rookie meant that many fans and pundits believed he would be a roster filler in 2023. Aumavae-Laulu played plenty of college football at right tackle, allowing just three sacks. However, his Combine numbers and game tape left more to be desired.

With that prefaced, Aumavae-Laulu’s impressive camp performances have surpassed expectations vastly. The rookie lineman has put his name in the mix as a potential starter as a rookie.

Since being drafted, the 24-year-old lineman has impressed coaches. So much so that he has been taking first-team reps in minicamp.

At 6’5” and over 320 lbs, Aumavae-Laulu has an NFL-ready frame. This was noted in the pre-draft hype around him, though many pencilled him down as a developmental prospect due to his lack of refined technique.

Despite this knock, the former Alaska native has surprised coaches and teammates alike with his mobility. For a big man, he has shown good agility and quickness, making him an excellent fit in Baltimore’s run-heavy system. Indeed, head coach John Harbaugh commented that Aumavae-Laulu’s presence with the first teamers “looked like it fit quite well”.

Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu’s 2023 Prospects

While Aumavae-Laulu has impressed so far, his starting status is far from cemented. As it stands, the rookie is competing to start at the left guard position. The position was vacated by Ben Powers, who joined the Denver Broncos on a big contract in free agency.

Beside Aumavae-Laulu, the others competing for the spot are John Simpson, Patrick Mekari, Daniel Faalele and Ben Cleveland. While Cleveland has underwhelmed when given opportunities, the other three are very strong candidates. The likelihood is that this position battle will take the duration of preseason.

Given the way that coaches have been talking about the rookie lineman, it seems like the starting left guard spot is currently Aumavae-Laulu’s position to lose.

Of course, Aumavae-Laulu could also compete for the backup right tackle position. However, this could be a tough ask for a rookie. Mekari and Faalele both seem more qualified for the role, and Morgan Moses was largely unscathed in 2022 anyway.

Whether Aumavae-Laulu starts for Baltimore in 2023 remains to be seen. If he can translate a stellar off-season into a starting job, then he will certainly be a name to watch. However, even if he remains a backup, he could be an interesting player to follow.

Most offensive lines struggle to stay healthy for the duration of the year. For that reason, Aumavae-Laulu will likely see some playing time in 2023 even if he does not start. At the left guard position, he would be well-aided by stars Ronnie Stanley and Tyler Linderbaum. With two Pro Bowl-calibre players beside him, Aumavae-Laulu would be given the freedom to play to his strengths and matchup against more manageable defenders.

Main Photo: Chris Pietsch/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK

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