The Baltimore Ravens selected Nebraska left tackle Alex Lewis in the fourth-round of the 2016 NFL Draft, but he may ultimately turn out to be their best option at left guard.
After losing left guard Kelechi Osemele to the Oakland Raiders in free agency, the Ravens now have a significant question mark at the position. And as it stands, it’s basically an open competition.
Related Story: 30 Greatest Draft Picks of All-Time
The good news? The Ravens do have several options at the position. In addition to Lewis and veterans John Urschel and Ryan Jensen, the team also selected Notre Dame offensive lineman Ronnie Stanley in the first-round of the Draft.
What happens with Stanley however, will be directly impacted by the future of Eugene Monroe. If the team keeps him and he starts Week 1, Stanley then becomes an option to shift inside. If Monroe is sent packing, then Stanley likely assumes the starting role and opens the door for Lewis at left guard.
At 6-6 and 315-pounds, Lewis certainly has the size the Ravens are looking for in their interior linemen. It’s also an early advantage he has over both Urschel and Jensen, who check in and 6-3, 305-pounds and 6-4, 310-pounds respectively.
But the question surrounding Lewis is his ability to transition back to left guard after spending two seasons at Nebraska playing left tackle. He last played left guard during his freshman season at Colorado prior to transferring.
“O-line is o-line. I grew up always playing five different spots. The more positions you can play, the more versatile you are,” Lewis told Ravens.com. “There’s a learning curve at playing guard, but I’m excited and think I could really thrive at that position.”
With his Father, Bill, having also played eight seasons in the NFL, it’s offered Lewis a unique perspective on what it takes to succeed at the professional level and how versatility opens some additional doors. So if playing left guard is what it takes, sign the 24-year-old up.
“He’s been there, done it,” Lewis said. “So if I want to get there, I have to listen to him and I have to take his advice.”
Of course, Lewis faces a bit of an uphill battle. His size aside, it’s been nearly three years since he last played left guard and even during his two seasons at Nebraska, he didn’t exactly set the world on fire.
Pro Football Focus had Lewis graded out as the 65th-best player of the 2016 NFL Draft class (19th at his position), supplying him with an “average” grade. And while he did not give up a single sack during the 2015 season, Lewis was plagued by penalties and also surrendered 20 quarterback pressures — a number the Ravens would like to see dramatically reduced in the event he’s pass protecting for franchise quarterback Joe Flacco.
Related Story: Baltimore Ravens Have Given Joe Flacco What He Needs to Shine
Regardless of what happens in 2016, left guard appears to be the long-term projection for Lewis. If he can get a head start on it and secure the job early, all the better for him and the Ravens alike.
*Note: The Ravens have just signed veteran guard Vladimir Ducasse, who can also compete for the left guard job.