Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson had a successful 2023 season, winning his second MVP title in Todd Monken’s first year as offensive coordinator.
Lamar set career highs in pass attempts (457), completions (307), and passing yards (3,678) as the Ravens offence averaged 28.4 points per game (ranked fourth). However, Jackson was sacked 37 times (the second highest in his career).
Now, Jackson’s offensive line, which allowed 37 sacks, has been decimated by free agents. Morgan Moses was dealt to the New York Jets, while Kevin Zeitler (Lions) and John Simpson (Jets) were released.
According to ESPN’s Jameion Hensley, the Ravens have a significant vacuum to fill along the offensive line this summer.
“The Ravens need to replace three starters on the offensive line,” Hensley said in a statement. “Pro Bowl right guard Kevin Zeitler signed with the Lions, left guard John Simpson joined the Jets, and right tackle Morgan Moses was traded to the Jets. This is a significant vacuum because those three combined for 2,938 snaps last season.”
Fortunately for the Ravens, if there was ever an offseason with a clear offensive line need, this is it. The NFL Draft is soon coming, and there are numerous standout lineman in the class.
Baltimore could go with Georgia’s Amarius Mims, Oklahoma’s Tyler Guyton, Duke’s Graham Barton, Notre Dame’s Joe Alt, Washington’s Troy Fautanu, Penn State’s Olumuyiwa Fashanu, or Arizona’s Jordan Morgan.
However, before to the draft, the Ravens could seek for inexpensive free agents such as Nick Gates, Laken Tomlinson, and Dalton Risner. There are options for Baltimore, and while there is a major gap to fill, there is plenty of time and skill to address what is currently the franchise’s most pressing offseason need.
