With Jake Long not signing with the team, the Ravens still need depth at left tackle

The Baltimore Ravens and free agent left tackle Jake Long looked to have a deal in place for Long to be on the team in 2016. In the end, Long could not agree to terms with the Ravens as he would not sign an injury waiver that would allow the Ravens to do away with his contract if he were to get hurt.

Long’s decision still leaves the Ravens with question marks as to who will not only be the backup left tackle for the team behind Ronnie Stanley, but one who can be reliable.

Third-year undrafted free agent James Hurst has had his opportunities as a backup at left tackle with the Ravens over the years. Hurst has done some good things, but he has also underperformed as well. But that is expected by many backup left tackles in the league as the talent at the position is so rare. There’s no such thing as a very good backup left tackle because if they are very good, they would start someone in this league for sure.

But again that doesn’t mean that the Ravens shouldn’t have concerns. The Ravens need Stanley to stay healthy and be productive as a rookie. The Ravens invested a lot in Stanley with the sixth overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. As it stands now, one injury to Stanley would not only disrupt the Ravens’ offense, but it would disrupt a playoff push.

The Ravens at this point have to hope that at least one backup in Hurst, Blaine Clausell and Stephane Nembot, Alex Lewis and De’Ondre Wesley can improve and be relied on if called upon.