As we get set for training camp, we're exploring five questions surrounding the Ravens.
Our final topic: How will the offensive line come together?
Who gets the Week 1 start?
It's no secret that there's a ton of uncertainty around the Ravens offensive line. Tyler Linderbaum will anchor the group in the middle, and Ronnie Stanley is going to be the Week 1 starter at left tackle, but there's nothing solidified beyond that.
Andrew Vorhees seems like the favorite at left guard, but he's coming off a redshirt season after tearing his ACL. The 2023 seventh-round pick hasn't played an NFL game yet and it's been well over a year since he saw game action, but the Ravens are high on him.
The other two spots are seemingly wide open. Second-round rookie Roger Rosengarten could win the starting right tackle job, but Daniel Faalele and veteran Josh Jones will get looks there, too. Entering a critical fourth season, Ben Cleveland could start at right guard, but he'll have to beat out Faalele, Jones, and Sala Aumavae-Laulu.
When pads come on in training camp, the Ravens should get a better idea of how the line will shape out. For Head Coach John Harbaugh, he wants to know sooner rather than later.
"It would be nice if we could kind of [know] by the first into the second week of training camp, [that] would be a goal to have a good idea," Harbaugh said. "If it goes into the [preseason] games, it could go into the preseason games, but maybe just one spot up for grabs or something like that. That would be OK, but the sooner the better."
These players are in critical positions heading into the Ravens' 2024 training camp.
WR Rashod Bateman
The 2021 first-round pick is back in a featured role and will look to build momentum in training camp in hopes of a breakout season.
G Ben Cleveland
Entering his fourth year, Cleveland has been solid during his seven starts. Now the gargantuan blocker is tasked with earning a full-time job.
TE Charlie Kolar
The Ravens know what they have in the receiving game at tight end, but bulked up tight end Charlie Kolar needs to become a strong blocker to unlock the full potential of Baltimore's run game.
OT Daniel Faalele
Speaking of gargantuan, Faalele has some elite tools to work with, but he needs to put it all together to win a starting job at either right tackle or guard.
CB Marlon Humphrey
Humphrey is coming off an injury-hampered season and is looking to reestablish himself as one of the league's top cornerbacks. Training camp will be an important time to build back up.
QB Lamar Jackson
Jackson's progression in Year 2 with Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken, particularly in making pre-snap adjustments, is paramount to the Ravens offense taking the next step.
OLB David Ojabo
Coming off last season's knee injury, Ojabo is expected to be full speed at some point during training camp. The Ravens are counting on their talented pass rusher to break out in Year 3 and may have to make an addition if it's not looking likely.
OT Roger Rosengarten
The rookie second-round pick has a chance to win the starting right tackle job from the jump, but he needs to prove himself against the first-team defense.
ILB Trenton Simpson
Stepping into the hole left by Patrick Queen's departure, Simpson needs to continue to build off the positive momentum he has build this summer.
OG Andrew Vorhees
After a redshirt rookie season, training camp will be Vorhees' first time blocking NFL defenders while wearing pads and going full speed. If he stands tall, he could be the starting left guard.
S Ar'Darius Washington
Washington is in position to win the No. 3 safety job after injuries have hampered his young career so far.
CB Nate Wiggins
Wiggins has all the tools and talent. How quickly he develops and adjusts to the NFL game will determine how much he pushes his way into the defensive rotation.
What if no one separates themselves?
The Ravens have expressed their confidence that the starters are already on the roster but if the preseason is almost over and there are still lingering questions, there are a few ways they could go.
Using Patrick Mekari as a starter is one option. Baltimore likes him as a super-sub who can play all five positions, but he could step in if there are any major holes on the line.
"In my eyes, he's a starter, but he's in the position where he can play multiple positions, and that's the role that we'd like to see him in right now," Offensive Line Coach Joe D'Alessandris said. "... It's not that he can't start, it's just that we see the versatility and the benefit of that opportunity. There are not many guys in the NFL that can play center, both guards and tackle."
There are still options available in free agency, but they're unsigned for a reason. However, the Ravens have had success developing lower-cost offensive linemen like last year's starting left guard John Simpson.
General Manager Eric DeCosta will monitor potential cap casualties as teams whittle their roster down to 53. Trading for a veteran ahead of the season is always a possibility as well.
Can Stanley return to All-Pro form?
At one point Stanley was one of the best left tackles in the NFL, but injuries have hampered his last few seasons. Last season he played 13 games but wasn't fully healthy and struggled anchoring in pass protection.
Having an elite blindside blocker is always great, but with so many question marks elsewhere on the line, Stanley getting back to a Pro Bowl level would be massive for Baltimore.
"I feel great," Stanley said earlier this offseason. "I feel like I'm as strong and as quick and as athletic as I've ever been.
"There's zero doubt in my head. If I'm playing the way I need to be playing, to my standard, I'm the best tackle in my head."
