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Baltimore Ravens News

Finding above average offensive linemen is one of the hardest tasks for an NFL general manager. They’re rare and expensive. Now think about someone who can literally play all five positions, and have done so in the league.

You would think the value would be sky high, right? Well, not so fast.

Patrick Mekari is a former undrafted player, and he is about to get his third NFL contract. Still, he’s undervalued, underrated, and less known than he should be. All those factors make him the best value at guard in free agency this offseason—and probably one of the best values in the entire process.

Versatility is Patrick Mekari’s best weapon

Mekari had never been a full-time starter on the Baltimore Ravens until this past season, when key losses made him become the starting left guard. But still, he also played snaps at left tackle, center, and right tackle. All in one season.

Throughout his NFL career, versatility and ability to play five positions (and act as the sixth offensive lineman sometimes) are his calling card.

In six seasons, he’s played snaps everywhere:

Left tackle: 672 snaps
Left guard: 832
Center: 683
Right guard: 272
Right tackle: 1,206
Sixth OL: 37

Solid, if unspectacular

Nobody will sell Patrick Mekari as a top offensive lineman in the NFL. He’s never been an All-Pro or Pro Bowler, and he’s barely been a full-time starter. But knowing how difficult it is to find solid players upfront, he has a good argument to be valued accordingly.

In 2024, Mekari had a 97.1 pass block efficiency, allowing 27 pressures, finishing the season with a 70.3 pass block grade by PFF. He was in the top 20 in pass block win rate (95%) amongst interior offensive linemen, according to ESPN. The guard wasn’t as effective in run blocking, but it was still an average overall performance.

Market valuation

According to Spotrac, Patrick Mekari is projected to receive a three-year, $31 million contract in free agency, averaging $10.3 million per season.

And this is a fair representation of what he is among his peers. The guard market has somewhat exploded over the past few seasons, with four players at the position (Landon Dickerson, Chris Lindstrom, Robert Hunt, and Quenton Nelson) making $20 million per year or more.

Eighteen guards make $10 million or more, including players like Jon Runyan, Ben Powers, Damien Lewis, and Cesar Ruiz.

Track record

Undrafted in 2019, Mekari signed with the Baltimore Ravens and showed his value from the get go, making the initial 53-man roster. The Ravens smartly extended him after two seasons, when he first became eligible to get a new deal—and that’s why he will receive his third contract and is still only 27. In 2021, he signed a three-year, $15.45 million deal.

Four offseasons later, Mekari proved he was well worth that money, and much more will come his way soon.