Baltimore Ravens rookie offensive tackle Roger Rosengarten has been outstanding since entering the starting lineup on a full-time basis against the Buffalo Bills in Week 4. Baltimore's recent offensive explosion has coincided with Rosengarten's emergence. The first-year blocker is establishing himself as an every-week starter for John Harbaugh.
The No. 62 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, Rosengarten made his debut in Week 1 against the Kansas City Chiefs, rotating in at right tackle for veteran Patrick Mekari. On his first career snap, he allowed a strip-sack to Pro Bowl defensive tackle Chris Jones. Rosengarten has gotten significantly better since then.
Rosengarten also played sparingly in a Week 2 upset loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. After sitting on the bench for the Week 3 victory over the Dallas Cowboys, an injury forced Rosengarten into the lineup in a primetime spot against the Bills, with Mekari sliding from tackle to guard in place of Andrew Vorhees. The former Washington Huskies standout was excellent, helping spring running back Derrick Henry for a franchise-record-breaking 87-yard touchdown run on his first snap of the evening.
Roger Rosengarten's first NFL start couldn't have started any better. The rookie built off that TD run block for a very strong game overall.
— Ryan Mink (@ryanmink) September 30, 2024
Did well matching Ed Oliver's power, Von Miller's speed, and had good teamwork with Daniel Faalele on stunts, etc. pic.twitter.com/Lw5YvsR7UQ
Pro Football Focus credited Rosengarten with an elite pass-blocking grade of 81.4 and an overall offensive score of 75.9. He was not credited with allowing a single quarterback pressure against a stellar Bills defensive line. The Ravens racked up 35 points and 427 total yards of offense in a blowout win.
Rosengarten carried over that momentum to Week 5's thrilling 41-38 overtime victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. Though Rosengarten did allow four pressures, all of them hurries, he did not give up any sacks or hits, nor was he whistled for any penalties. Lamar Jackson was sacked just once en route to a 348-yard, four-touchdown showing, and Henry rushed for 92 yards and a touchdown, averaging 6.1 yards per attempt.
Ravens rookie RT Roger Rosengarten has played a big part in their offensive explosion since entering the starting lineup two weeks ago
— Mike Renner (@mikerenner_) October 8, 2024
Rookie OTs drafted outside of round 1 aren't supposed to start, let alone look this good pic.twitter.com/I3NuDBfHJl
Rosengarten has the fourth-highest offensive grade among all qualifying rookie tackles, trailing just first-round selections Joe Alt, JC Latham, and Taliese Fuaga. His overall pass-pro grade of 67.5 is third-best, behind just top 10 picks Latham and Alt. He could continue climbing these ranks if his current form holds.
General manager Eric DeCosta should be thrilled with the contributions he’s receiving from his rookie class. Not only is Rosengarten playing like a long-term building block, but first-round cornerback Nate Wiggins has also been excellent in recent weeks. Getting immediate impacts from ascending rookies makes the Ravens serious Super Bowl contenders, given the veteran talent sprinkled throughout their roster.
Rosengarten will attempt to keep his strong start going against the surging Washington Commanders on Sunday. The Dan Quinn-coached Commanders have posted an eighth-best 15 sacks this season. Rosengarten should see a fair bit of veteran pass rushers Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler Jr.
The Ravens have won three consecutive contests and currently sit atop the AFC North. Rosengarten is aiding an offense that’s suddenly firing on all cylinders after a difficult start to the season. Rosengarten needs to stay in the starting lineup even when the Ravens’ offensive line is at full strength.
