The Baltimore Ravens must find a solution for Patrick Mekari’s role, ensuring stability and depth along the offensive line.

The Baltimore Ravens have established themselves as a physical, defense-first team, but in recent seasons, their offense, particularly the offensive line, has become a focal point of attention. The Ravens’ offensive line has faced various challenges, from injuries to inconsistencies in performance, but one player whose role has been especially pivotal is Patrick Mekari. A versatile and reliable offensive lineman, Mekari has played a crucial role in the Ravens’ offensive line rotation, but with his future with the team uncertain, the Ravens must find a long-term solution for his role.

Mekari, who was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2019, has been a steady contributor for the Ravens over the past few seasons. His versatility—being able to play multiple positions along the offensive line—has made him a valuable asset to the team. However, as the Ravens look to the future, they must address several questions regarding Mekari’s place in their offensive line and whether he should be part of their long-term plans.

This comprehensive analysis will explore Patrick Mekari’s role in the Ravens’ offensive line, why the team needs to find a solution to his position, and the potential long-term implications for the team. We’ll also assess the Ravens’ other offensive line options and how they may impact the decision surrounding Mekari.

The Rise of Patrick Mekari

Patrick Mekari’s journey to the NFL was not a typical one. After going undrafted in 2019, Mekari joined the Ravens as a free agent. His story is one of persistence and hard work, as he quickly earned a spot on the roster and began contributing on special teams and in a backup offensive line role. His versatility and strong play allowed him to carve out a niche in the Ravens’ offense, and soon, he became a reliable presence on the offensive line.

Mekari’s versatility has been one of his defining characteristics. In his first few seasons with the Ravens, he has played at multiple positions along the offensive line, including center, right tackle, and guard. This flexibility has allowed the Ravens to use him as a backup and emergency starter, which has been particularly valuable given the team’s injury history along the offensive line.

Despite being thrust into a starting role at various points, Mekari has shown that he can hold his own at multiple positions. His ability to play both guard and center has helped the Ravens avoid significant setbacks when injuries struck other players on the line. He has been an integral part of the team’s depth, giving the coaching staff confidence that they can rely on him to fill in when needed.

However, as the Ravens look to build a more consistent and dominant offensive line, they must decide how to best utilize Mekari moving forward. His future with the team is uncertain, and the Ravens need to assess whether he is a long-term solution for their offensive line or if they need to find other ways to strengthen the unit.

Mekari’s Role and Importance in the Ravens’ Offensive Line

The Ravens’ offensive line is a critical part of their offensive system, particularly given their run-heavy attack, led by quarterback Lamar Jackson. The team relies heavily on their offensive line to create running lanes for their backs, particularly on the outside zone runs that have become a hallmark of the Ravens’ offense. Additionally, the offensive line is expected to protect Jackson in the passing game, where the Ravens have struggled to find consistent success in recent years.

Mekari’s ability to play multiple positions along the line has been incredibly valuable in this system. When starting tackles Ronnie Stanley and Ja’Wuan James have been sidelined by injuries, Mekari has stepped in to fill those roles and keep the offensive line functional. His flexibility also allows the Ravens to move other players around when needed, without disrupting the entire unit.

In particular, Mekari’s time as a center has given him a unique understanding of the offensive line’s responsibilities. While his natural position is likely guard, the experience of playing center has given him a well-rounded understanding of the offensive line’s duties and responsibilities. He has been able to effectively communicate with other linemen and the quarterback, something that is crucial for the cohesion of the entire offensive front.

While Mekari’s versatility has been invaluable, it also brings a challenge for the Ravens. The team has needed to shuffle their offensive line pieces over the past few seasons, partly due to injuries and partly due to a lack of stability. Mekari, though reliable, is a jack-of-all-trades, but is he a master of any one position? That is a question the Ravens must answer as they consider whether to invest in a more established starting lineman or continue to rely on Mekari as a utility player.

The Need for Stability Along the Offensive Line

As the Ravens’ offense continues to evolve, the offensive line will be a central focus. The Ravens have consistently emphasized the importance of a dominant running game, and much of their offensive success is rooted in their ability to generate a strong push at the line of scrimmage. However, they also need stability in the passing game, especially if Lamar Jackson is to continue as the team’s quarterback. The offensive line has been a weakness in both aspects in recent seasons, and the team needs to find answers.

Mekari, for all his versatility, has never been the anchor of the offensive line. He has been an important piece in providing depth, but the Ravens need more than just a depth piece. They need a reliable starter at every position along the offensive line to protect Jackson and pave the way for their running backs.

In recent years, the Ravens have invested in the offensive line through both the draft and free agency. The team’s offensive line has featured high-profile players like Stanley, who has been one of the league’s best tackles when healthy, and All-Pro guard Marshal Yanda, who retired after the 2019 season. But with Stanley’s injuries and the struggles to replace Yanda, the Ravens have found it difficult to find consistent play at every spot on the line.

Mekari has been part of the solution, but he is not the solution to the team’s long-term concerns at offensive line. The Ravens will need to find more stability and elite-level play, particularly at tackle and center, if they are to maximize the success of their offense.

The Ravens’ Options Moving Forward: What Happens with Mekari?

The decision the Ravens face regarding Mekari comes down to his long-term role with the team and how they choose to address their offensive line needs. There are several potential options for the team moving forward, and each will have implications for the roster and salary cap.

Option 1: Keep Mekari as a Versatile Backup

One option is to keep Mekari in his current role as a backup who can play multiple positions along the line. This would provide the Ravens with valuable depth and flexibility, especially considering the injuries that often plague offensive linemen. Mekari’s ability to fill in at guard, center, and tackle would allow the team to rest easy, knowing they have an experienced player who can step into any spot in case of injury.

However, this option would also mean that the Ravens continue to rely on Mekari’s versatility rather than addressing the need for a true starter at every position. While Mekari is a capable player, the Ravens may want to look for an upgrade at center or right guard to provide more stability and talent to their starting unit.

Option 2: Move Mekari to a Starting Role

Another option is to give Mekari a starting role at one of the positions on the offensive line. While this would require the Ravens to make changes elsewhere, it could be a good opportunity for Mekari to establish himself as a starting-caliber lineman. His experience at multiple positions could give him an edge over other players vying for a starting spot.

The question, however, is whether Mekari is truly capable of being a long-term starter at any one position. While his versatility is a strength, his inconsistency at times has raised doubts about his ability to perform at a high level over the course of an entire season. If the Ravens believe Mekari has the potential to be a quality starter, they may choose to make him a central part of the line, but this would likely require significant investment in other areas of the line.

Option 3: Let Mekari Walk or Trade Him

The most drastic option is to let Mekari walk or trade him in order to free up cap space and pursue other offensive line solutions. This would leave the Ravens with a gap in their depth, but it could also open up room for a more high-profile player, either through free agency or the draft.

If the Ravens were to go this route, they would need to find a capable backup who could replace Mekari’s versatility. Additionally, they would need to focus on addressing the starting positions with either young talent or proven veterans. This would be a more aggressive approach to improving the offensive line, but it would come with the risk of losing an experienced player who has proven to be reliable in the past.