He remains a capable scrapper as a pass-protector and run-blocker, and Scherff has also stayed durable, playing every game the last three seasons. Scherff’s been an ever-present for the Jags, but he hasn’t played like the dominant force he was in Washington.

The fifth-overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft made a seamless transition from left tackle to right guard, became a multiple Pro Bowler and was also named first-team All-Pro in 2020.

Joining the Ravens could help Scherff return to those levels, thanks to superior talent around him. Most of that talent has come from the draft, though, and it’s a route DeCosta might still prefer to take for more O-line reinforcements.

Patrick Mekari Part of Ravens’ Successful Youth Movement Up Front

Mekari is part of a successful youth movement for the Ravens on one side of the trenches. An undrafted rookie in 2019, Mekari has played multiple spots, including right tackle and center, but he found a permanent spot this season.

The 27-year-old started every game at left guard, allowing only 1 sack, but yielding 27 pressures and being flagged for 14 penalties, per Pro Football Focus. Mekari might still have played himself into earning a big payday the Ravens would struggle to deliver.

DeCosta is projected by Spotrac.com to have just $8,918,872 worth of space under the salary cap. That may not be enough to re-up Mekari, but it could allow the Ravens to sign Scherff, who is expected to get a one-year deal worth $6.7 million.

A cheaper alternative would be for the Ravens to look for internal solutions, the way they did with right guard Daniel Faalele and right tackle Roger Rosengarten last offseason. That could mean putting Andrew Vorhees into the lineup in place of Mekari.

The 2023 seventh-round pick performed well across 47 snaps against the Cleveland Browns in Week 18, per Ravens.com Editorial Director Ryan Mink.