The Ravens still have one of the biggest unresolved questions in camp: who lines up at center?
Right now, Danny Pinter and Jovaughn Gwyn are the two names at the front of the line, but neither comes with much certainty. That’s why Eric DeCosta could still decide to make a move before camp gets rolling, especially if Baltimore wants a steadier answer in the middle of the line.
One possible target has already been floated. In a Bleacher Report piece on a trade every NFL team should consider, Moe Moton pointed to Houston Texans interior lineman Jarrett Patterson as a fit for Baltimore.
"The Ravens have a major void to fill at center following the departure of three-time Pro Bowler Tyler Linderbaum. Unproven veterans Danny Pinter and Jovaughn Gwyn are battling for the open position.
The Ravens can acquire a known commodity in Patterson, who has started in 21 games at center and left guard for the Texans. The versatile interior offensive lineman could be on the trade block with the addition of Keylan Rutledge, Wyatt Teller, Evan Brown and Febechi Nwaiwu this offseason," Moton wrote.
Patterson isn’t being framed as a premium starter, and that matters. But compared with what Baltimore has on hand, he brings a much more established track record.
He has 21 starts over three seasons, while Pinter has 10 starts in five years and Gwyn has none in three years. That alone makes Patterson a far more familiar option, and a trade for him likely wouldn’t come at a steep price.
He also gives the Ravens flexibility. Patterson has spent time at both guard and center during his Texans tenure, which only adds to the appeal if Baltimore wants a player who can cover more than one spot.
The concern in Baltimore is obvious. If the Ravens are serious about chasing a Super Bowl, center can’t be treated like a shrug-and-hope position. Starting an unproven player there carries real risk, and that risk only grows if camp doesn’t produce a clear answer.
Patterson’s ceiling may not be especially high, but his floor is attractive. His snap count was limited at 334 last season, yet PFF credited him with allowing zero sacks and zero QB hits. He’s also logged meaningful snaps for a Texans team that has reached the playoffs in each of his NFL seasons.
That matters for a Ravens team that already dealt with major issues on the interior last year. The guard pairing of Daniel Faalele and Andrew Vorhees put Lamar Jackson in danger far too often and played a part in his injury problems. Baltimore has already tried to clean that up by signing John Simpson and drafting Vega Ioana.
Even with those upgrades, the gap from Tyler Linderbaum to either Pinter or Gwyn would still be significant. Patterson wouldn’t be Linderbaum, but he would offer a much safer transition than the two current candidates.
If Baltimore decides it needs another late-offseason answer at center, Patterson looks like a sensible and realistic name to watch.
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Ryan Clark stepped into that conversation on First Take and said out loud what plenty of Ravens fans have been thinking, pushing back on the idea that Jackson should be slotted that low while quarterbacks like Joe Burrow are treated more generously. Clarks point leaned on the fact that Jackson played more games last season, even as the hamstring injury that cost him four games and some uneven play after his return clearly shaped how some around the league are judging him now. [Read more 🡒]
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Ravens Urged To Make The Proven Lamar Move Fans Have Wanted
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That is why one recent suggestion has drawn attention around the league, with Baltimore urged to chase a veteran wideout who just finished a productive run in New England. The fit makes sense on paper, especially with the Ravens having enough financial flexibility to at least stay in the conversation, but for now it remains one of those roster ideas that feels logical without being locked in. [Read more 🡒]