Ravens 2025 Preview: Offensive Success Hinges on Dominant Offensive Line Play.
The Baltimore Ravens enter the 2025 NFL season with high expectations and a renewed sense of urgency. With Lamar Jackson still at the helm and surrounded by a roster that blends young talent and experienced veterans, the franchise finds itself on the cusp of something special. But as the Ravens chase another deep playoff run, one reality remains undeniable: their offensive success will hinge entirely on the performance of the offensive line.
In recent seasons, the Ravens have experienced both the rewards and consequences of offensive line play. When healthy and dominant, the line has allowed Jackson to be his most dangerous self, blending electrifying runs with precise passing. But when the line has faltered, whether due to injuries or inconsistency, the offense has sputtered. In 2025, this unit will have no margin for error if the Ravens are going to compete with the likes of the Chiefs, Bengals, and surging Texans in the AFC.
The offseason focus from general manager Eric DeCosta made the team’s priorities clear. While the Ravens addressed needs at wide receiver and linebacker in free agency and through the draft, the front office’s most crucial moves revolved around the offensive line. Ronnie Stanley, once the franchise’s cornerstone left tackle, is no longer the All-Pro anchor he used to be. Injuries and age have taken their toll, and the team finally decided to move in a new direction. In his place, the Ravens have invested heavily in reshaping the left side of the line, hoping that renewed strength at the tackle and guard positions will stabilize the entire unit.
Second-year standout Andrew Vorhees is now expected to take over as a full-time starter at left guard. A former USC Trojan with a powerful base and nasty demeanor, Vorhees sat out his rookie season due to injury but has impressed throughout OTAs and training camp. Coaches rave about his technique, toughness, and leadership. Next to him, at left tackle, will be newly acquired free agent Charles Leno Jr., who brings a wealth of experience and reliability. Though not a flashy signing, Leno offers steady hands, solid footwork, and veteran poise that could help protect Jackson’s blindside.
Center remains one of the more stable spots along the line, with Tyler Linderbaum emerging as one of the NFL’s premier players at the position. Drafted in 2022, Linderbaum has blossomed into a cerebral and physical centerpiece. His ability to diagnose defenses, call protections, and handle elite interior rushers has been critical to Jackson’s comfort in the pocket. More importantly, his chemistry with Jackson has only improved with time, and that bond could prove vital if the Ravens are forced into high-pressure, late-season battles.
Right guard and right tackle are still somewhat fluid. Kevin Zeitler, the dependable veteran, departed in the offseason, leaving a leadership void. The Ravens are counting on Ben Cleveland, now entering his fourth season, to take the next step and seize control of the starting right guard job. Cleveland has always had the size and strength to dominate at the point of attack, but inconsistent play and conditioning issues have kept him off the field for extended stretches. With a clear runway and little depth behind him, Cleveland must deliver.
Right tackle is another crucial spot, and perhaps the most intriguing. Morgan Moses, a warrior in the trenches, was traded away, and his absence opens the door for second-year player Daniel Faalele or rookie Blake Fisher to prove themselves. Faalele is a massive presence at 6-foot-8 and 380 pounds, and while he showed flashes last season, there are questions about his agility and pass-blocking technique. Fisher, drafted out of Notre Dame, brings polish and pedigree, but the jump from college to the NFL is rarely seamless for offensive linemen. The team will closely monitor this battle throughout camp and the preseason.
The Ravens’ offensive line doesn’t just need to be competent—it needs to dominate. That’s because the offensive philosophy of head coach John Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Todd Monken remains rooted in physicality, ball control, and maximizing Lamar Jackson’s skill set. When the line is pushing defenders back and creating clear running lanes, Jackson becomes virtually unstoppable. His ability to turn routine runs into explosive plays, or extend pass plays by avoiding pressure, depends heavily on trust in his blockers.
Equally important is the effect a dominant line can have on the Ravens’ passing attack. With Rashod Bateman, Zay Flowers, and newly signed veteran wideout Mike Williams rounding out a talented receiving corps, Jackson finally has weapons capable of stretching the field. But those weapons are meaningless without time to let plays develop. A porous line would force Jackson to rely solely on quick passes or scrambles, limiting the offense’s creativity. On the flip side, a line that consistently provides a clean pocket could unlock Monken’s full playbook and allow Jackson to showcase his arm talent as well as his legs.
In short-yardage and red-zone situations, the offensive line must be the hammer. Too often in the past, Baltimore has struggled to punch it in at the goal line or convert key third-and-shorts. That’s a mentality issue as much as a technique one. The line has to take ownership of those moments. They have to want to impose their will. They must become bullies in the trenches again.
Leadership along the offensive line will also be tested. With veterans like Stanley and Zeitler gone, it falls on players like Linderbaum and Leno to set the tone in the locker room and on the practice field. Leadership by example is important, but so is vocal accountability. When things break down, someone needs to pull the unit together. Coaches can only do so much—on-field communication and trust start with the players themselves.
There’s also the health factor. Injuries are unavoidable in the NFL, but the offensive line can’t afford prolonged absences from key starters. The Ravens learned this the hard way last season when injuries forced them to shuffle the line repeatedly, resulting in breakdowns in protection and drive-killing penalties. Improved depth—through the signings of veteran backups and a more prepared group of second- and third-year players—will help mitigate this, but the starters must stay upright.
Looking across the AFC, it’s clear the Ravens won’t have an easy path. The Chiefs still boast a championship pedigree, and their defensive front is among the most aggressive in football. The Bengals, with Trey Hendrickson and B.J. Hill, present their own problems up front. The Jets, Dolphins, and Browns have all built terrifying defensive lines, with speed and power coming from all angles. If the Ravens want to be taken seriously as contenders, they have to prove they can win the line of scrimmage against any of those opponents.
It’s not just about protecting Lamar Jackson—it’s about protecting the entire offensive identity of the team. The Ravens thrive when they control the tempo, run the ball at will, and use play-action to freeze defenders. None of that is possible without a cohesive, powerful offensive line. It’s the foundation of everything they do.
The coaches know it. The players know it. The fans certainly know it too. No matter how much hype surrounds the wide receivers, no matter how much growth Jackson shows as a passer, and no matter how creative Monken gets with play design, nothing matters if the offensive line doesn’t execute at a high level.
Training camp and the preseason will reveal much about this group’s chemistry and readiness. Every rep matters. Every blitz pickup. Every one-on-one drill. The foundation for the season is being poured now, and if the offensive line gets it right, the Ravens could be unstoppable. If not, 2025 could become yet another year of missed opportunities.
This team has the tools to make a deep run, possibly even to a Super Bowl. But that dream begins with five men up front, working in sync, trusting each other, and doing the dirty work in the trenches. They won’t get the glory. They rarely do. But they will decide just how far the Ravens can go.
