When a team falls short of expectations like the Baltimore Ravens did in 2025, standing pat isn’t an option. The Ravens have already made one of the boldest moves of the offseason by parting ways with longtime head coach John Harbaugh and handing the reins to Jesse Minter, a first-time head coach.
That’s a massive shift in leadership-but it can’t be the only one. If Baltimore wants to bounce back in 2026, they’ll need to make just as aggressive moves on the roster front, especially in the trenches.
Let’s start with the offensive line, a unit that simply didn’t hold up last season. While some reinforcements may come through the draft, general manager Eric DeCosta will need to be proactive in free agency to find proven, plug-and-play talent-particularly at offensive guard and on the edge defensively. These aren’t luxury additions-they’re necessities.
One name that could help solidify the interior line? Alijah Vera-Tucker.
The former Jets guard comes with risk, no question. But when healthy, he’s a difference-maker-and that’s exactly what Baltimore needs next to 2025 third-rounder Emery Jones Jr., who’s still developing.
The Ravens can’t afford another year of instability on the interior, and they certainly can’t afford another season like the one they just had.
The key domino in all of this is center Tyler Linderbaum. The three-time Pro Bowler is the anchor of the line, and Baltimore needs to make a decision soon on whether to use the franchise tag or lock him up with a long-term deal.
Either way, once Linderbaum’s situation is settled, attention can shift to finding the right guard to line up beside him. Vera-Tucker could be that guy-if the Ravens are willing to roll the dice.
Now, let’s be real: there’s a ton of risk here. Vera-Tucker has struggled to stay on the field, missing significant time over the past four seasons.
He’s played in just 27 of a possible 68 games since 2022, with injuries derailing three separate campaigns-including two triceps tears and an Achilles injury. That’s a tough medical history to overlook.
But here’s the flip side: when Vera-Tucker is healthy, he’s been outstanding. He’s never posted a Pro Football Focus grade below 66.8, and his 2024 season saw him hit a career-high 77.7. At just 26 years old, he’s still young enough to enter his prime-and for a Ravens team that needs a long-term solution at guard, that’s a rare opportunity.
The current guard situation in Baltimore just isn’t cutting it. The tandem of Andrew Vorhees and Daniel Faalele struggled mightily in 2025, and it showed.
Too many plays broke down before they could even get going, with pressure up the middle stalling drives and throwing off Lamar Jackson’s rhythm. That can’t happen again-not with an offense built around timing, mobility, and explosive playmakers like Jackson and Derrick Henry.
The free agent guard market does have some depth, but many of the top names are veterans nearing the end of their careers. Vera-Tucker offers something different: upside. If he can stay healthy-and that’s a big if-he could be a foundational piece for years to come.
It’s also worth noting that Jackson has never really had a young, ascending guard protecting him on the interior. He’s had veterans like Marshal Yanda and Kevin Zeitler-both rock-solid-but never someone like Vera-Tucker, who could grow alongside him and anchor the line into the next phase of Jackson’s career. That kind of continuity could be a game-changer.
So yes, there’s risk. But there’s also massive upside.
And after a season that ended in disappointment, the Ravens are in a position where they have to take some calculated gambles. If Vera-Tucker hits the open market, DeCosta should absolutely be on the phone.
The medicals will be scrutinized, and the price tag might give some teams pause-but the potential reward? That’s the kind of bet that could unlock the next level of this Ravens offense.
Baltimore needs to protect its franchise quarterback, maximize its offensive weapons, and build a line that can dominate in both phases. Vera-Tucker, if healthy, checks all those boxes. It’s a high-stakes move-but it just might be the one that gets the Ravens back to where they expect to be.