As insurance, the Ravens sign a versatile 26-year-old former third-rower.
Throughout free agency, the Baltimore Ravens lost players along their offensive line, making the position appear threadbare. But with the addition of OL Josh Jones on Thursday, March 21, general manager Eric DeCosta started to allay the worries.
“The #Ravens have signed former #AZCardinals OT Josh Jones, adding some OT depth,” tweets NFL insider Ian Rapoport.
Jones signs a one-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals and Houston Texans, which will allow him time to regain his reputation.
The Ravens had lost three of their five starting linemen after guard Kevin Zeitler was traded to the Detroit Lions, guard John Simpson was acquired by the New York Jets, and offensive tackle Morgan Moses was acquired by the Jets.
Of the opening lineup, just center Tyler Linderbaum and overtime player Ronnie Stanley were left. “The Vault: A Daily Ravens Podcast” co-host Sarah Ellison wrote on her account, “He has played at both tackle positions and RG.” brings experience and variety, and he’s about to enter his prime. A depth player who permits the Ravens to continue strengthening their offensive line through the draft.
DeCosta now has some leeway to avoid feeling pressed for the duration of his free agency or when the draft comes around thanks to the agreement.
Thus Far, Josh Jones Has Not Worked Out as Expected
Jones was a highly regarded prospect who was selected by the Cardinals in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
“Coming out of college, Josh Jones was lauded for his athleticism and his ability to get out of his stance quickly, pull effectively, and bend,” wrote podcast host Kevin Oestreicher on social media.
Although the Houston product hasn’t become a household name, it has offered consistency when needed in a variety of circumstances.
In his sophomore season, Jones started at guard, played 73% of the snaps, and started 12 games, but he played relatively little in his rookie year. In 2022, he switched to left tackle, although his playing time decreased to 52%.
Just before the season began in 2023, the Cardinals dealt him to the Texans in exchange for a fifth-round pick. Despite only playing 26% of the offensive snaps, Jones started three games for the Texans.
By the time the 2024 season begins, Jones will just be 27 years old, and he still has time to become a starting lineman. As of right now, he offers coach John Harbaugh additional alternatives because of his useful depth and versatility, which can be applied across the line.
Josh Jones Gives Baltimore Depth and Versatility
The Ravens’ offensive lineman position group was starting to appear a touch thin. The only other lineman who played a significant amount of snaps for the Ravens in 2023 was Patrick Mekari, aside from Stanley and Linderbaum.
Although OL Andrew Vorhees, who is expected to return from an ACL injury, will essentially be playing in his rookie season, the Ravens have high expectations for him.
The Ravens now have a seasoned plug-and-play tackle in Jones in case of an injury or slump. In order to keep Mekari, Moses, and Stanley fresh at the end of the season, the Ravens rotated them; Jones offers them an alternative.
“He’s still only 26 and versatile, and while he’s struggled at times, is solid OL depth for the Ravens,” Oestreicher wrote.
Since Stanley signed his huge contract with the Ravens, he has struggled with injuries; therefore, Baltimore gains flexibility by adding a guy who could step in during a difficult situation.
The Ravens won’t feel compelled to reach, but they will use their nine picks in the draft to try to strengthen the group even more. “A depth player that still allows the Ravens to look to the draft to bolster the offensive line,” Ellison clarified.
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