OTL: Some Surprises in First “Unofficial” Depth Chart

Things are starting to feel real in Owings Mills, as the Ravens prepare for their first preseason game. The team unveiled an unofficial depth chart and camp battles are starting to come into focus.

Here's a look at the Ravens' 𝐮𝐧𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 depth chart for Friday's preseason opener, as compiled by the team's PR staff. pic.twitter.com/dkcJbvQd99

— Jonas Shaffer (@jonas_shaffer) August 4, 2024

Some of the most interesting choices by the Ravens’ PR staff, to my eye, are on the OL. While much of the hype going into camp was on their rookie right tackle, Roger Rosengarten, he’s behind Patrick Mekari for the moment. The starting guards as of now are Andrew Vorhees and Daniel Faalele. Vorhees was always looked at as a plug-and-play starter once he was healthy. The big note here is that Faalele is at right guard and Ben Cleveland is his backup.

In his article on Baltimoresports.com, Todd Karpovich mentioned Faalele’s impressive outing at camp and included a quote from Ravens’ offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris.

Faalele has impressed the coaches with his extended time at guard throughout training camp. His size also makes him a prime candidate to start.

“Well, one, [he’s] 6’8, 6’9, [and] he’s 300 – I’m going to give him the low end – 380, and he can move his feet, he’s athletic, he’s flexible, and he’s intelligent, so let’s see what happens,” Ravens Offensive Line Coach Joe D’Alessandris said. “If he can, that’s going to be a feather in our cap – we’ll see how that goes, but it’s a work in progress, and all of them are. It’s the development of players until they build some experience and confidence, and that’s what’s going to come with him, too.

Faalele grabbing the starting job sounds like a real possibility. It feels as if Cleveland’s career has seen a failure to launch. Last year it became apparent that he needed to work on his football shape and to rely on assets other than his size. This year, Cleveland has looked more polished – the problem for him is that so has Faalele. Each preseason snap will be huge for Cleveland. Right guard is the position battle of the preseason.

While an unofficial depth chart is a fun conversation starter, you may want to pump the breaks on your initial reactions.

For instance, Ravens rookie CB Nate Wiggins is at the bottom of the depth chart. That won’t stay.

— Morgan Adsit (@MorganAdsit) August 4, 2024

Ravens first depth chart has Andrew Vorhees at LG, Daniel Faalele at RG and Pat Mekari at RT. It’s just heading into preseason. Vets usually get the benefit of the doubt. Roger Rosengarten is second on depth chart at RT. This could be a rotational situation at some point.

— Morgan Adsit (@MorganAdsit) August 4, 2024

Mark Andrews didn’t make the NFL Top 100 list this year. It’s probably the cost of missing so much time last season due to injury, though it sounds like crazy talk when you say it out loud. It’s important to remember that Andrews has been considered one of the best tight ends in the league for most of his career. He’s still making his presence known at camp though, he had the top highlight of Friday’s practice.

A polite reminder that Mark Andrews isn’t going anywhere! #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/fX334DjpM4

— Nic Mason (@British_Raven19) July 30, 2024

Speaking of the NFL Top 100 list, Lamar Jackson was voted as the second best player in the NFL, by his peers. Jackson actually finished above every other quarterback on the list, even Patrick Mahomes. The only player ahead of Jackson was Tyreek Hill, the speedy Dolphins receiver.

🏈NFL Top 100 Players of 2024🏈

MVP🏆 Lamar Jackson…Ranked #2️⃣#NFLTop100 pic.twitter.com/S4jpr1JPgN

— Nitro The Wunderkind (@Nitro_Quantum) August 3, 2024

It’s surprising that a wide receiver got the number one spot. Even at that position, I would probably put Justin Jefferson ahead of Hill. It just seems a bit off. To be fair though, it’s a little surprising Jackson got the number two spot. Mahomes just won another Super Bowl and these accolades usually have some kind of magnetic pull towards him. It’s actually refreshing to see some variance in that. Jackson had the best season and won his second MVP award.  Mahomes landed fourth on the list behind Christian McCaffery. Somewhere you have to imagine he’s arguing with a ref about this. All jokes aside, the Ravens will see Mahomes in Kansas City for the Kickoff Game.

The second strongest player in @EAMaddenNFL 😱 @Andrew_Vorhees 🔥 pic.twitter.com/AdpjwRjcQz

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 4, 2024

I don’t know if he could lift Thor’s hammer, but EA Sports knows who the strongest Raven is. Andrew Vorhees has the second highest strength rating in Madden 25. I know that Madden ratings aren’t the biggest deal in the world, but you have to wonder how NFL players feel about this one. Vorhees hasn’t played a snap in the NFL and he’s the second strongest NFL player? Those are some high expectations to live up to before his presumed preseason debut on Friday. Having been at camp, I can say he surely looks the part.

Happy Birthday @JORDANSTOUT92 pic.twitter.com/S7u16UBNw8

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 4, 2024

The Ravens punter had a birthday on Sunday. I hope he had some quality “hang time” with friends and family. Happy birthday to one Mr. Jordan Stout.

And now, to lead you into a bright new week, here’s a highlight reel of Ed Reed. It will never get old #GOAT.

We will never see another safety like Ed Reed. pic.twitter.com/J1P6qKpgp6

— The Ravens Realm (@RealmRavens) August 4, 2024