Ravens insider sees clear path to fixing Baltimore’s biggest weakness

· Yahoo Sports

The Baltimore Ravens have done plenty this offseason. They upgraded the pass rush with Trey Hendrickson. They added physicality at guard with Vega Ioane and John Simpson.

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They refreshed the coaching staff under Jesse Minter and doubled down on a more imposing team identity. Apparently, however, one major piece of unfinished business may remain.

According to ESPN’s Jamison Hensley, Baltimore’s eventual starting center may not currently be on the roster at all. Some may call that a little unsettling. Others may call that common knowledge. Per Hensley, Baltimore could still explore the trade route to find a Tyler Linderbaum-sized hole.

The Ravens have yet to fill the void left by Tyler Linderbaum.

Losing Tyler Linderbaum was always going to sting. Replacing a three-time Pro Bowler in the middle of the offensive line is not the type of challenge solved by wishful thinking and positive minicamp quotes.

Centers do far more than snap the football. They organize protections, diagnose fronts, communicate adjustments, and serve as the offensive line’s nerve center. Those guys matter tremendously.

Sure, Baltimore has improved around that vacancy, but pretending the issue is fully solved would be optimistic at best. The Ravens' best option to replace Linderbaum may already be on the roster, but here's where Hensley’s theory becomes interesting. If the Ravens aren’t fully convinced by their internal options, a trade certainly makes sense.

This front office is not afraid to make bold moves. Baltimore aggressively pivoted from the failed Maxx Crosby pursuit to land Trey Hendrickson. Eric DeCosta has never exactly been known for sitting quietly when obvious roster issues remain unresolved. If the right veteran center becomes available, the Ravens could absolutely explore that route. Truth be told. Few would complain if they did.

Everything else about this roster screams 'contender'. Lamar Jackson is still in his prime. Derrick Henry still punishes defenses. Zay Flowers continues to ascend. The defense looks nastier. The coaching reset could inject fresh life. This team just needs its offensive line's anchor.

The one thing Baltimore cannot afford is instability directly in front of its franchise quarterback. Internal competition may still produce an answer, but if Hensley’s suspicion proves accurate, the Ravens’ most important offseason addition may still be wearing another team’s jersey right now.

If DeCosta determines the right answer isn’t already in the building, no one should be surprised if Baltimore makes one more aggressive move before Week 1. Championship-caliber rosters rarely allow a weakness this obvious to remain unresolved, especially when Lamar Jackson’s protection hangs in the balance.

This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens insider sees clear path to fixing Baltimore’s biggest weakness

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