Whether they want to admit it or not, the Ravens’ offensive line is not a championship-winning unit. Both guard spots are weaknesses that will get exposed more severely and consistently in the postseason,
which is why an move now would give the new starting five a chance to gel.
Even just one upgrade at guard could unlock this offense. They could use some more power at the point of attack and reduce their drive-killing negative plays. Still, a trade feels unlikely, partially due to the Ravens’ stubbornness about their current guards and the technical difficulties in a mid-season offensive line change.
Big Swing
Cesar Ruiz, New Orleans Saints
Projected compensation: Saints reportedly seeking third-rounder plus late Day 3 pick
Contract: $585,000 remaining in 2025, due $9.5M ($2.66M GTD) in 2026 and $9.5M in 2027
Season notes: Started seven games at RG, missed Week 5 with high ankle sprain
Advanced metrics: 97.8 pass-blocking efficiency, 11 pressures allowed
Zach’s take: This would be a pretty big swing for the fences. Ruiz would instantly become the second-most veteran linemen in the room outside the aging Stanley. Ruiz would slide in on the right side, taking over for Faalele. This would allow the Ravens to have Vorhees, Faalele, and Emory Jones if they wish, competing for that left guard spot the rest of the season. Ruiz would be an instant boost to both pass protection for Jackson and a better scheme fit for a team that tries to run zone and get their offensive lineman on the move, something Faalele isn’t ideal for and Vorhees hasn’t done well. I’d call this a B+ move. Ruiz isn’t some sure-fire Pro Bowler, but is better than average and a definite upgrade, plus has a future in Baltimore.
Nikhil’s take: Ruiz is a solid starter who would likely be an upgrade over Daniel Faalele right away. He also has two more years on his contract at a reasonable price and his experience at center could be particularly useful if Tyler Linderbaum leaves in free agency. As for the price tag, a third-round pick is reasonable for three years of a 26-year-old starting offensive lineman. The Ravens have the Day 3 capital to add in the necessary value to close the deal, too. Could the third-rounder theoretically turn into a player with higher upside? Maybe, but adding a multi-year starter at a weak spot seems might be an even better way to use that pick.
Jackson Powers-Johnson, Las Vegas Raiders
Projected compensation: Day 2 pick
Contract :$597,000 remaining in 2025, due $1.59MM GTD in 2026 and $1.99M in 2027
Season notes: Five starts, missed Week 2 with concussion, Raiders started Alex Cappa in Week 3
Advanced metrics: 96.5 pass blocking-efficiency, 8 pressures allowed
Zach’s take: Powers-Johnson would be an interesting fit. He’s a similar player to Ruiz, an accomplished pass protector in college with the ability to move in space, better in a zone run scheme than a gap scheme. The difference is JPJ is only a second-year player. He played both left guard and center in 2024 and has been the starting right guard for the Raiders in 2025, so I’m not sure which spot the Ravens would look for him to take in Baltimore. But Johnson is a high-ceiling with multiple years of control still left. The big question is would he be happy in Baltimore? He has stated a clear preference to play center, but that wouldn’t be available this season and potentially beyond if Linderbaum is extended. Sounds like a repeat of the Orlando Brown Jr. situation to me.
Nikhil’s take: Similar to Ruiz, Powers-Johnson would offer an immediate upgrade at guard with the potential for long-term contributions at either guard or center. It would be a little surprising for the Raiders to move on from a player they drafted with the No. 40 pick in 2024, but stranger things have happened under new regimes. The Ravens talked about getting younger (and more athletic) along the offensive line during the 2024 offseason, but only Roger Rosengarten really fit the bill. This would be a way to properly follow through and seriously upgrade the offensive line, now and in the future. Three years of a starting-caliber, cost-controlled, high-upside player is a solid use of a Day 2 draft pick.
Solid Upgrade
Kevin Zeitler, Tennessee Titans
Projected compensation: Late-round pick
Remaining salary: $2M remaining in 2025
Season notes: Started all eight games at RG, 97% snap share
Advanced metrics: 97.4 pass-blocking efficiency, 11 pressures allowed
Zach’s take: If there’s any move to be made on offense, this is probably the one. Zeitler played at a Pro Bowl level during his time in Baltimore and was a fan favorite. The play hasn’t fallen off since his departure during his time in Detroit in 2024 and this year in Tennessee. Zeitler has experience with Monken’s offense as well, one year in 2023 during Monken’s first year in Baltimore. He would be able to step right in at right guard and be an immediate boost there. His presence would also likely prop up the play of center Linderbaum and tackle Rosengarten. The only question is whether the relationship between DeCosta and the organization with Zeitler is amicable after the departure.
Nikhil’s take: The Ravens didn’t retain Zeitler after the 2023 season due to concerns about his body holding up for a full season. Lo and behold, he was on the sidelines in January. That caps the amount that he should fetch on the trade market, but he may be inexpensive enough to be a secondary move along with a bigger defensive upgrade. Zeitler has also spent more than two-thirds of his 2025 snaps as pass-blocker because the Titans are constantly trailing; returning to Baltimore might make his life – and those of Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry – much easier.
John Simpson, New York Jets
Projected compensation: Late Day 3 pick
Remaining salary: $3M in 2025
Season notes: Started all eight games at LG, 99% snap share
Advanced metrics: 96.7 pass-blocking efficiency, 17 pressures allowed
Zach’s take: John Simpson may not feel like an immediate upgrade to this line. It’s probably marginal versus Andrew Vorhees or Daniel Faalele. We know Simpson during his time here, he’s not a splash player and tends to find flags flying against him. He interests me for one main reason: grit. This offensive line lacks it, with all of them being closer to finesse linemen than power. Even Faalele, with his size, lacks the nastiness to be a real power-finishing lineman. Simpson is not lacking in nastiness and toughness. The Ravens have struggled to be a power-run team, to pull linemen, and to bang defenders. Simpson could help with that. The actual level of play between those three guards is similar, but Simpson would bring something different that the line is lacking currently.
Nikhil’s take: Simpson’s familiarity is the only reason this is under consideration. He was a serviceable starter for the Ravens in 2023, looked better in New York last year, and appears to have regressed this season. But is he actually an upgrade over Vorhees as a mid-season addition? Trying to replace Faalele would have potential downsides too, considering Simpson’s lack of experience at RG. This is worth a speculative Day 3 pick swap, at best, and the Jets would need to eat enough salary that the Ravens only take on the veteran minimum.
Advanced metrics via Pro Football Focus. Contract data via OverTheCap.
