The roster talk heading into training camp will surely be focused on the Ravens' 11 wide receivers competing for five or six spots, or the six running backs bidding for three or four openings. On the defensive side, the Ravens suddenly have more outside linebackers/pass rushers than they can probably keep and their defensive backfield is deep in numbers and experience.
Meanwhile, there's nothing sexy about a position competition at left guard. However, Monday's signing of veteran offensive lineman Vlad Ducasse adds one more name into a suddenly deep left-guard mix.
From the day Kelechi Osemele, the Ravens' starting left guard for much of the previous four seasons, signed a big free-agent deal with the Oakland Raiders, it was widely believed that John Urschel would be his replacement. Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti said as much at the NFL owners meetings in March.
The Ravens drafted Urschel in the fifth round in 2014, envisioning he could potentially replace either Osemele or Marshal Yanda if either were to leave the organization. Urschel started three regular-season games and both playoff contests at guard as a rookie. Last year, he made seven starts at center after starter Jeremy Zuttah went down with a pectoral injury. Urschel performed better as a guard in 2014 than he did at center last year.
He remains the top candidate to replace Osemele, but the Ravens certainly have other options. A 2013 sixth-round pick, Ryan Jensen got his opportunity last season, starting six games at left guard. He got better each week and plays with an edge the Ravens coaching staff loves.
Before transferring to Nebraska for his final two college seasons, fourth-round pick Alex Lewis started 12 games for Colorado at guard in 2012. With the Ravens vowing to play their five best offensive linemen, Lewis could become part of the conversation by thriving in training camp.
Ducasse, 28, has more experience than any of the above-mentioned candidates. He's started 21 games over the past three seasons, including 11 for the Chicago Bears at guard last season. He'll compete for the starting left guard job, along with providing another option as a swing tackle.
And then there's the wildcard, first-round pick Ronnie Stanley. If the Ravens keep Eugene Monroe and the veteran stays healthy, Stanley becomes the favorite to start at left guard, a position he's barely played. However, the Ravens didn't draft Stanley sixth overall last month with the intention of having him be a reserve the first year.
So any conversation about the left-guard spot has to include Urschel, Jensen, Lewis, Ducasse and Stanley. Urschel remains the favorite to win the job, assuming Stanley replaces Monroe at left tackle. However, he'll now have plenty of competition.
It didn't appear that would necessarily be the case four or five weeks ago.