Any offensive line is going to be key part of a football team's success. The Ravens currently have an opening at the left guard position after the departure of Ben Powers. Who are the candidates and what do they do best (or need to work on)? I break that down here in my first article for BSL:

https://baltimorespo...sition-in-2023/

Lets just say MAL for short. He had a lot of the buzz exiting mini camps.

I think they go with Cleveland.

This time last year, many were doubting Powers.  He did a good job and got a nice contract.  It is Cleveland's turn to step up.

MAL, aka Sala, seems like a guy who is raw and needs some coaching. Maybe next year.

Faalele apparently was getting guard time in the offseason, but I doubt he moves to guard. 

Doss and Manning seem like PS candidates.

Cleveland and Simpson are the obvious front runners. I think it will be Cleveland if he shows up in shape and stays healthy in camp, but he hasn't been able to do that yet so who knows. Simpson has started in the league so he would seem to be good enough, could do worse than that with your worst spot on the line.

I would think it's Cleveland's job to lose.

There was a reason Aumavae-Laulu was getting first team reps in camp last month.  He's a rookie and Harbaugh usually doesn't prefer going down that road(unless it's a 1st round pick) but he seems to like him a lot.  I'd say going into full camp, he's the one that has the job to lose.  

MAL, aka Sala, seems like a guy who is raw and needs some coaching. Maybe next year.

 

Faalele apparently was getting guard time in the offseason, but I doubt he moves to guard. 

 

Doss and Manning seem like PS candidates.

 

Cleveland and Simpson are the obvious front runners. I think it will be Cleveland if he shows up in shape and stays healthy in camp, but he hasn't been able to do that yet so who knows. Simpson has started in the league so he would seem to be good enough, could do worse than that with your worst spot on the line.

I was goin to mention Faalele. Given that he was a little up and down in his snaps at tackle, perhaps his size and brute strength would translate well to the interior Oline.

I think the only certainty is that the competition is wide open. 

I was goin to mention Faalele. Given that he was a little up and down in his snaps at tackle, perhaps his size and brute strength would translate well to the interior Oline.

 

I think the only certainty is that the competition is wide open. 

The Ravens like to pull their guards a lot or used to, and I am not sure Faelele can do that.

I think Cleveland will get the job unless he totally craps the bed in pre-season, or someone else is overwhelming.  But he could be on a short lease.  If he doesn't grade out well through the first quarter of the season he could be replaced.