OTL: Kevin Zeitler Trades a Flock for a Pride

At this time of year, as other teams inevitably engage in more early-free agency action than the Ravens do, often poaching Baltimore’s former players in the process, it’s good for the Flock to remind ourselves of the good news. Right now, it’s that Derrick Henry is coming to town and Justin Madubuike got a deal to stay.

With that in mind, we can take a breath and look at the latest wave of departures, which includes Tyler Huntley heading to the Browns, Kevin Zeitler to the Detroit Lions and Odell Beckham Jr. to the open market.

Former Ravens Pro-Bowl guard Kevin Zeitler intends to sign a one-year deal with the Detroit Lions, per source. Zeitler is flying to Detroit tonight to take a physical with the plan to sign Tuesday with the Lions. pic.twitter.com/7GdExwQhGv

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 18, 2024

According to Adam Schefter, Zeitler is expected to get a one year deal from the Detroit Lions. Two things stick out with this news. The first is that the Ravens may regret saying goodbye. Zeitler was a solid player and added veteran leadership. Months ago Baltimore was complaining that he was snubbed for the Pro Bowl. The Ravens’ top concern is the offensive line and you have to wonder if they should have gotten a deal done with Zeitler. The second thing that stands out is that Zeitler fits perfectly in Detroit. The biggest winners here are Jahmyr Gibbs and the Lions run game.

Sports Illustrated’s Adam Schultz sees the Ravens getting some relief for their offensive line concerns in the draft. He writes that in a CBS Sports mock draft the Ravens took Tyler Guyton from Oklahoma. He’s a huge offensive tackle who looks the part. Here’s what Schultz gives as the take home point of his article.

Guyton looms as the last piece of the offensive line puzzle as the Ravens, ideally, don’t want to be in the business of having to draft two starting linemen with their first two selections.

Which means the franchise needs to go shopping in free agency.

The Ravens have a habit of adding veteran talent at the right price to protect the quarterback. Zeitler and Morgan Moses left this offseason but they are recent examples. Schultz offered Phil Haynes or Nick Gates, starters in 2023 for the Seahawks & Commanders, respectively, as potential free agent targets for the Ravens.