Flank fixes, centre fog: Ravens boost guards but hub concerns linger

Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images

There’s logic behind why the Baltimore Ravens didn’t go for a center, and the front office has made its reasoning clear.

Even so, that doesn’t address the area where Lamar Jackson could use more stability up front.

Baltimore can explain why it skipped center, and the explanation is reasonable. The problem is that reasonableness does not change the part of the offensive line where Lamar Jackson most needs clean operation.

The price for getting up to draft one of those centers would have meant giving up a third-, fourth-, and fifth-round pick. That’s a lot to pay, and good front offices know when to hold back.

Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images

Draft decision leaves the Ravens exposed to market risk

Baltimore did strengthen its options at guard by the time the draft wrapped up, but there was still no direct replacement for Tyler Linderbaum. DeCosta later described that result as “unfortunate,” though he backed his belief that they’ll have a solution in place by September.

There’s still time for that confidence to pay off. Danny Pinter, Jovaughn Gwyn and Corey Bullock are all legitimate internal candidates, and there are outside options available too. But centre is not like other positions. It affects communication, timing and pocket cleanliness on every single snap.

Why the Ravens’ offensive clarity depends on more than just talent

Jackson can cover up a lot of issues, but Baltimore’s system works best when things run smoothly and quickly around him. Adding strength at guard helps the line’s overall stability. But it doesn’t address all the challenges that come with losing a Pro Bowl center.

This is still one of the bigger questions hanging over Baltimore’s offseason. The answer might still come later in the summer. Until then, it feels like there are two sides to their draft: improved strength inside, but a question mark at the position that holds everything together.

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