It's no secret that the Baltimore Ravens have some questions at offensive line this season.
After losing three starting offensive linemen in the offseason and deciding not to add any veteran replacements, the Ravens training camp is essentially a tryout for left guard, right guard, and right tackle.
So far, Andrew Vorhees seems poised to take one of those spots.
A guard out of USC, Vorhees tore his ACL at last year's draft combine and fell to Day 3 in the NFL draft, a day later than many expected him to go. Vorhees rehabbed all last season, essentially redshirting his rookie year.
Now, Vorhees is healthy, and with a year of experience in the Ravens' system, making positive impressions.
On Saturday, Ravens nose tackle Michael Pierce was asked about playing against the largely inexperienced starting offensive line and shouted out Vorhees, unprompted.
"Vorhees is going to be really good," Pierce said. "He's just learning and getting back."
Ravens offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris also told reporters that he was "very pleased" with Vorhees' progress in training camp.
The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec has reported that Vorhees has been the favorite to win the starting job at left guard. Zrebiec recently reported that nothing has changed that after one week of training camp.
Vorhees is suddenly becoming a key piece for Baltimore: a player with a high pedigree and high potential to fill in a key position. There are other players with more experience in the mix, but they haven't jumped out in the past or in this training camp. Rookie tackle Roger Rosengarten is also in the mix to start, but he is a true rookie, whereas Vorhees has now studied with an NFL offense, sat in meetings, watched practices, and trained with the team for a year.
If Vorhees can play at even an average level as a first-time starter, it would be a big development for Baltimore.
