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          NFL Nation

          Ravens believe Ronnie Stanley destined to become premier left tackle

          • Jamison Hensley, ESPN Staff WriterOct 20, 2017, 02:30 PM
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              Jamison Hensley is a reporter covering the Baltimore Ravens for ESPN. Jamison joined ESPN in 2011, covering the AFC North before focusing exclusively on the Ravens beginning in 2013. Jamison won the National Sports Media Association Maryland Sportswriter of the Year award in 2018, and he authored a book titled: Flying High: Stories of the Baltimore Ravens. He was the Ravens beat writer for the Baltimore Sun from 2000-2011.
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          OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Recent history said it wasn't a sure thing that Ronnie Stanley would develop into a top offensive tackle after the Baltimore Ravens selected him with the No. 6 overall pick.

          Of the 17 offensive tackles picked in the top 10 from 2005 to 2015, only three -- the Cleveland Browns' Joe Thomas, the Dallas Cowboys' Tyron Smith and the Miami Dolphins' Jake Long -- have been named first-team All-Pro.

          The Ravens have seen enough out of Stanley in two seasons to believe he could crash that party.

          "In my opinion, he is destined to be one of the top tackles -- if not the top tackle -- in the league," coach John Harbaugh said. "And that should be his goal."

          Stanley is ranked as the third-best left tackle in the league this year, trailing Thomas and Philadelphia Eagles nine-time Pro Bowl blocker Jason Peters. In the last three games, he has allowed just three quarterback hurries.

          "I’m very grateful to have a coach that has that type of belief in me," Stanley said. "That’s just more pressure on me to perform, be there for my teammates and be that rock-solid guy."

          The last time the Ravens used a top-10 pick on an offensive tackle was 1996, when they selected Hall of Fame left tackle Jonathan Ogden. After Ogden retired in 2007, Baltimore went through seven starting left tackles in eight years: Jared Gaither, Adam Terry, Michael Oher, Bryant McKinnie, Eugene Monroe, James Hurst and Kelechi Osemele.

          Baltimore is banking on Stanley to end that blind-side carousel.

          "He’s always diligent about his technique out there on the practice field, week in and week out," right tackle Austin Howard said. "He’s a young guy, second year, but he definitely lives up to the player that he can be."

          Stanley received the highest grade on the Ravens for the second straight week. Showing great consistency, he has given up one sack this season.

          This momentum was carried over by Stanley from last season. Stanley was the highest-graded left tackle for the final four weeks of last season.

          Now, Stanley's challenge is lining up against Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen, whose seven sacks are tied for the fourth-most in the league.

          "He is another guy I talk to all the time about making a name for himself," Harbaugh said of Stanley. "He does that with how you play. You are going to be lined up against the premier pass-rusher most of the time, and he has another huge task this week. The spotlight is going to be on him, and that is the opportunity."

          There's been a bad run of selecting offensive tackles in the draft. Jason Smith, Luke Joeckel and Greg Robinson each struggled after being taken at the top of the first round in recent years.

          While it remains to be seen what accolades Stanley will eventually earn, he has already gained the confidence of his starting quarterback.

          "When you have a guy like that standing to the left of you, it definitely makes you feel comfortable," quarterback Joe Flacco said, "because you know he’s on top of it all, and he’s going to do the right thing when the time comes.”