The Baltimore Ravens could stand to improve their offensive line in the 2020 NFL Draft, particularly in light of certain developments concerning their 2019 personnel.
While the Ravens are returning 10 of their 11 offensive starters from last season, their lone loss is a massive one. Long-time guard Marshal Yanda called it a career this offseason, creating a big hole in their offensive line that they’ll have to fill. While Ben Powers shouldn’t be forgotten and should be penciled in as the starter there, Baltimore could turn to the 2020 NFL Draft to find more competition for the now-vacant role.
In addition to right guard, the Ravens could use more depth along their entire offensive line. Though Patrick Mekari filled in well and Matt Skura appears to be rehabilitating nicely from the torn ACL, MCL, PCL and dislocated knee cap that sent him to injured reserve last season, there’s no clear timetable for his return. With Baltimore’s offense being so run-heavy and an emphasis on protecting mobile MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson, the offensive line could be one area the Ravens focus in on for the 2020 NFL Draft.
With all of that in mind, here’s how Baltimore could fill their offensive line needs in each round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
1st Round – C/G Lloyd Cushenberry, LSU
Skura was good in 2019 before suffering his injury and Mekari filled in well. But in Cushenberry, the Ravens have a chance to nab the top center prospect in this draft class. Cushenberry was a member of the LSU line that won the Joe Moore Award for the best line in college football last season, also helping propel quarterback Joe Burrow as the sure-fire No. 1 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Cushenberry took snaps at both center and guard for LSU, so he offers some positional versatility. He is an excellent pass protector but could stand to develop a nastier edge in the ground game. He is a good run blocker, but with some development, he could become great.
2nd Round – C/G Cesar Ruiz, Michigan
Ruiz played for coach John Harbaugh’s brother Jim at Michigan, so you’d hope the elder brother would be able to help offer some insight into his game. Ruiz began his college career at guard, starting the final five games at that spot in 2017. But he started each of his last 26 games at the pivot, earning second-team All-Big Ten honors in 2019.
Like Cushenberry, Ruiz is a better pass blocker than run blocker at this stage. But he has shown consistent development in that area, an essential trait given the makeup of the Ravens’ offense. If the team wants to hold fire and address another area in the first round before addressing the line, Ruiz could be a viable option in the second.
3rd Round – G/C Jonah Jackson, Ohio State
Jackson has experience at several different spots along the offensive line, making him flexible but not necessarily polished at any one particular position. He spent time at both guard spots and center for Rutgers before settling in at guard during his season with Ohio State.
Jackson started 30 of his 43 college games, earning First Team All-Big Ten honors with the Buckeyes. Like so many of the other prospects, his particular skills tend towards the passing game more so than the ground game. But he has prototypical size and strength for the guard spot and a mobile quarterback like Lamar Jackson could aid Jackson’s development.
4th Round – G Ben Bredeson, Michigan
Another Michigan product, Bredeson started 46 of his 51 games for the Wolverines at left guard. So unlike the other players featured here, versatility is not a calling card he possesses. If the Ravens are to take him, then they’ll be taking him to play guard.
Bredeson was a team captain in both the 2018 and 2019 seasons. He is a determined run blocker and could lend some serious oomph to a team running a power-based run scheme. Sounds right up the Ravens’ street.
5th Round – G Netane Muti, Fresno State
Coming out of Fresno State, Muti is not among the top-tier prospects at guard in the 2020 NFL Draft due to inexperience and durability. He missed most of the three seasons he played at Fresno State, suffering right and left Achilles injuries as well as a Lisfranc injury that limited him to just three games in 2019. But when on the field, Muti has flashed as a run blocker, given his bulk and strength.
Muti would still be something of a project even if he slips to the fifth round, given his limited production and spotty injury history. But if he can stay healthy, he could be a steal this late in the draft.
6th Round – G/T Jon Runyan Jr., Michigan
The Ravens don’t have a sixth-round pick at the present. But if they find themselves with one through general manager Eric Decosta’s wheeling-and-dealing and they want to invest in the line, they could do worse than Jon Runyan Jr. If his name sounds familiar, it will be because his dad played 14 seasons in the NFL, notably with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Unlike his dad who played at right tackle in the NFL, Runyan Jr. projects as more of a guard due to his short arm length. He started 25 games at both the right and left tackle spot for the Wolverines over the last two seasons, earning First-Team All-Big Ten honors in both seasons, which speaks to his versatility as a depth tackle option for Baltimore. Runyan did play some snaps at guard in college, but his relative lack of experience at the position makes him a project. This is why he should still be available this late in the draft.
7th Round – C Jake Hanson, Oregon
If the Ravens want to wait until the end of the draft to bring in competition for Skura, then Hanson should be available in the seventh round. Hanson started 49 off his 50 games for the Ducks and earned Honorable Mentions for the All-Pac 12 team in each of the last four seasons.
He is not thought of as a top prospect due to a perceived lack of power but he’s shown some technical skills, allied to a nasty disposition in the run game. However, he’s liable to be pushed around by strong defensive linemen, forcing him into a backup role with room to develop.
