The Ravens offensive line, whether they admit it or deny it, is not a unit that can win championships. The two guard positions are weak spots that will be exposed more frequently and severely in the playoffs. This is why a change now could give the new five-man starting lineup a chance at gelling.
This offense could be unlocked with just a single upgrade to the guard position. The Ravens could benefit from more power and speed at the point-of-attack to reduce their negative plays that kill drives. A trade is unlikely due to Ravens’ stubbornness in keeping their current guards, and technical difficulties of a midseason offensive line switch.
Cesar Ruiz, New Orleans Saints
Saints is reportedly seeking a third-round pick plus a late Day 3-pick
Contract: $585k remaining in 2025; due $9.5m ($2.66m GTD) in 2020 and $9.5M (2027).
Notes: Started at RG in seven games, but missed Week five with a high ankle sprain.
Advanced metrics: 97.8 percent pass-blocking efficiency and 11 pressures permitted
Zach’s Take: This would be an impressive swing at the fences. Ruiz will instantly be the second most experienced lineman in the room, behind the aging Stanley. Ruiz would take over Faalele’s position on the right. The Ravens could then have Vorhees and Faalele competing for the left guard position the rest of the year. Ruiz’s addition would provide an immediate boost for Jackson’s pass protection and also a more suitable scheme for teams that run zone offenses and want their offensive linemen to be on the move. Faalele and Vorhees are not ideal for this and Vorhees is not either. This is a B+ decision. Ruiz may not be a sure-fire Pro Bowler but he is better than the average player and an upgrade. He also has a bright future in Baltimore.
Nikhil’s Take: Ruiz would be an immediate upgrade to Daniel Faalele. His contract has two years left at a fair price. His experience as a center will be especially useful if Tyler Linderbaum decides to leave in free agency. A third-round selection is a reasonable price for three years with a 26-year old offensive lineman. The Ravens also have Day 3 capital available to add the value needed to seal the deal. The third-rounder could theoretically become a player who has a higher upside. It’s possible, but it seems like adding a multiyear starter to a weak area might be a better use of that pick.
Jackson Powers Johnson, Las Vegas Raiders
Compensation for Day 2 Pick
Contract: $597,00 remaining in 2025. Due $1.59M GTD in 2026. $1.99M due in 2027.
Alex Cappa started for the Raiders in Week 3, after he missed Week 2 due to a concussion.
Advanced metrics: 96.5 percent pass blocking efficiency, 8 pressures permitted
Zach’s Take: Powers Johnson would make an interesting addition. He’s similar to Ruiz. A pass protector who excelled in college, he can move well in space and is better suited to a zone run than a gap running scheme. JPJ, however, is only a second year player. I don’t know which position the Ravens will want him to play in Baltimore. He has played left guard and center for the Raiders since 2025 and was the starter right guard in 2024. Johnson has a ceiling with many years left of control. The question is, would he be content in Baltimore? He has made it clear that he prefers to play at center. However, if Linderbaum’s contract is extended, he would not be able to do so this season or possibly beyond. It sounds like the Orlando Brown Jr. scenario to me.
Nikhil’s Take: Powers-Johnson, like Ruiz would be an immediate upgrade for guards with the potential to make long-term contributions as either a center or guard. It would be surprising if the Raiders decided to let go of a player drafted at No. Stranger things have happened when new regimes took over. In the offseason of 2024, the Ravens discussed getting younger and more athletic along the offensive lines. But only Roger Rosengarten fit the bill. This would allow the Ravens to upgrade their offensive line now and into the future. A Day 2 pick would be well spent if it was used to secure a player of high potential, who is also cost-controlled and has a good chance of starting.
Kevin Zeitler, Tennessee Titans
Compensation for late-round picks
Salary remaining: $2M in 2025
Notes for the season: Started in all eight games as RG with 97% snap share
Advanced metrics: 97.4 percent pass-blocking efficiency and 11 pressures permitted
Zach’s Take: This is the move that should be made if there are any offensive moves to make. Zeitler was a Baltimore fan favorite and played at the Pro Bowl level. Since his departure in Detroit 2024, and his current time in Tennessee this year, the play hasn’t slowed down. Zeitler also has experience in Monken’s offense, having played for Monken in Baltimore in 2023. He could step in and immediately boost the right guard position. He would likely also improve the play of Linderbaum at center and Rosengarten in tackle. It is only a question of whether DeCosta’s relationship with Zeitler and the organization will remain amicable following his departure.
Nikhil’s Take: The Ravens did not retain Zeitler following the 2023 season because they were concerned about his body’s ability to last a full year. He was sidelined in January. This is the maximum amount he could fetch in a trade, but it may be cheap enough for him to be used as a secondary option along with an upgrade on defense. Zeitler also has spent over two-thirds (2025 snaps) as a pass-blocker, because the Titans have been constantly behind. Returning to Baltimore could make his and Lamar Jackson’s and Derrick Henry’s lives much easier.
John Simpson, New York Jets
Compensation for late Day 3 pick
Salary remaining: $3M by 2025
Season Notes: Played all eight games for LG with 99% snap share
Advanced metrics: 96.7 percent pass-blocking efficiency and 17 pressures permitted
Zach’s Take: John Simpson might not seem like an immediate upgrade for this line. It’s likely marginal against Andrew Vorhees and Daniel Faalele. Simpson has been a solid player during his tenure here. He’s not an exciting player, and tends find flags flying in opposition to him. I am interested in him for one reason only: his grit. All of the offensive linemen are more like finesse linemen rather than power linemen. Faalele is too small to be a power-finishing finisher. Simpson has plenty of nastiness, and he is tough. The Ravens struggle to be a team that can run hard, pull linemen and bang defenders. Simpson could be a big help. Simpson could help with that.
Nikhil’s Take: Simpson’s familiarity with the team is the only factor that is being considered. He was a solid starter for the Ravens back in 2023. He looked better last year in New York, but he appears to be regressing this season. Is he an upgrade to Vorhees, as a midseason addition? Simpson’s inexperience at RG would also make it difficult to replace Faalele. The Jets will only be able to get a Day 3 pick in exchange for this, and they would have to take on enough salary so that the Ravens are only taking on the minimum veteran salary.
OverTheCap provides contract data and advanced metrics from Pro Football Focus.