Ravens’ Offensive Line Woes Continue - Is It Time for a Change at Right Guard?
The Baltimore Ravens’ Week 14 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers wasn’t just a setback - it was a full-blown unraveling. From the opening whistle, Baltimore looked out of sync in all three phases, but nowhere was the struggle more evident than along the offensive line. The protection issues weren’t just about scheme or playcalling - they were about execution, and at right guard, Daniel Faalele had another afternoon to forget.
Let’s not sugarcoat it: Faalele’s performance was rough. The third-year lineman has had his ups and downs this season, but Sunday’s showing against Pittsburgh was arguably his toughest outing yet.
He was beaten early by cornerback Brandin Echols - yes, a cornerback - on a sack that left quarterback Lamar Jackson with nowhere to go. Later, Faalele whiffed on a block against defensive lineman Esezi Otomewo, a rotational player who’s bounced around the league and had only 16 career games under his belt coming into the matchup.
Otomewo got the better of Faalele on more than one occasion, and the tape doesn’t lie - the Ravens’ right guard was on the ground far too often.
This wasn’t an isolated incident. Faalele has struggled to find consistency all season, and the numbers back it up.
According to Pro Football Focus, he ranks 47th among NFL guards with an overall grade of 57.2. His pass-blocking grade sits at 59.3, and his run-blocking isn’t much better at 54.5.
For an offensive line that’s already under pressure to protect a dynamic but frequently banged-up quarterback in Jackson, that kind of production simply isn’t cutting it.
So the question becomes: Why hasn’t Baltimore made a move?
Rookie Emery Jones Jr. seemed like a logical candidate to step in. The LSU product was a standout right tackle in college and has the kind of physical tools that translate well to guard in the NFL.
Jones made his debut in Week 13 against Cincinnati and, while it wasn’t perfect, he held his own - especially for a rookie thrown into the fire late in the season. But in Week 14, he didn’t see a single snap.
That’s puzzling, especially considering the state of the line. Head coach John Harbaugh and the Ravens’ staff have indicated that Jones is being used exclusively at left guard for now, which may explain his absence. But with Andrew Vorhees showing flashes of promise on the left side - including some encouraging reps against the Steelers - the real opportunity for change might be on the right.
It’s fair to acknowledge that moving a rookie between both guard spots midseason isn’t ideal. It’s a tough ask, especially in a system that demands a lot from its linemen in both the run and pass game. But at this point in the season, with the Ravens’ playoff hopes on shaky ground, they may not have the luxury of waiting.
Baltimore’s offensive identity has always been rooted in physicality - dominating the trenches, controlling the clock, and letting Lamar Jackson do what he does best. But that foundation is cracking, and Faalele’s struggles are a big reason why.
The protection breakdowns aren’t just stalling drives - they’re putting Jackson at risk. And with his health already a concern in 2025, that’s a gamble the Ravens can’t afford to keep making.
The Ravens need answers, and they need them fast. Whether that means giving Jones a look at right guard or reshuffling the line in some other way, something has to give. Faalele’s current level of play simply isn’t sustainable if Baltimore wants to stay in the playoff hunt.
There’s no question the Steelers’ front is one of the toughest in the league, and any lineman can have a bad day against that kind of pressure. But when the bad days start piling up, it’s time to make a change.
Emery Jones Jr. deserves a shot - not just for the future, but for the present. The Ravens’ season might depend on it.