Ben

Cleveland

Cleveland has been with the Ravens since they drafted him in the 2021 NFL Draft’s third round, largely playing as a backup during that span. He was set to return from a three-game suspension, but the Ravens evidently have other plans.

The Ravens retained offensive line depth in re-signing Cleveland, who appeared in 54 games in his first four seasons in Baltimore, seven of which were starts. He managed just 49 offensive snaps in 2024 while the Ravens experienced more health along their offensive line.

Cleveland, 26, was arrested on February 12th in Milledgeville, Georgia, according to reports from the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office. The fourth-year lineman reportedly had a BAC of .178, which is more than twice the legal limit. Cleveland was reportedly driving erratically and narrowly missed driving his truck into a ditch. He also admitted to drinking “approximately 3-4 beers.” Cleveland has started in seven of the 54 games he’s appeared in for the Ravens over four seasons and will be an unrestricted free agent this off-season. He was already unlikely to re-sign with the Ravens after he and head coach John Harbaugh seemingly didn’t see eye-to-eye on his play on the decision to relegate him to a backup this season.

Cleveland tweeted that he received positive news from the doctors regarding his knee injury suffered Monday night and will be “back soon and better than ever.” Ben Powers will step in at left guard for the foreseeable future with LT Alejandro Villanueva still in for Ronnie Stanley (ankle). If Lamar Jackson weathers this storm in Week 6 against the Chargers, he’ll undoubtedly be ahead of the pack as the early 2021 MVP.

The third-round rookie had been splitting reps at left guard with Ben Powers, so it’ll be Powers in that spot moving forward. The Ravens are already without LT Ronnie Stanley because of an ankle injury.

Cleveland (6'6/354) is a behemoth of a man who backs up his size with impressive athleticism. After starting 27 games at Georgia, Cleveland earned a 9.63 RAS at his pro day with a 5.05 40 and a 2.91 20-yard split. His ability to maul defenders over makes him a great fit for the Ravens, who have an offense built around their rushing attack. Cleveland will compete for a starting role at left guard as a rookie.

Cleveland (6'6/354) was a 27-game starter over the last four years in Athens after beginning his career with a redshirt campaign. Cleveland capped his career by earning third-team All-American and first-team All-SEC accommodations in 2020. A former baseball player that is now as big as an apartment complex, Cleveland remains a sensational north/south athlete for his size, scoring a 9.63 RAS at Georgia’s pro day with a 5.05 40 and a 2.91 20-yard split. But Cleveland’s short-shuttle was mediocre, and he skipped the 3-cone. His lack of agility on tape would indicate that was a smart business decision. Cleveland seeks violence in the run game, getting off the snap with a speed that should be illegal at his size and an electrical grid of power to the collision point. He shuts down power in pass-protection no problem, but has more issues with speed and movement, as Cleveland plays high, with feet that get heavy and sleepy when he isn’t charging forward. Cleveland appeals to power-run teams like the Ravens looking for an enforcer.

Cleveland suffered a minor left leg injury in Tuesday’s practice and took Wednesday off. Prior to the injury, Cleveland was impressing in one-on-ones. We’ll see if he’s back out there on Thursday.

Cleveland (6'6/335) has been a fixture up front for the Bulldogs during his time in Athens, but he will not be playing in the team’s season finale against Cincinnati. The redshirt senior started all nine of Georgia’s games this season at right guard, and for his career he appeared in 45 games. Cleveland, who is projected to be a Day 3 selection in this spring’s draft, has accepted an invitation to play in the Reese’s Senior Bowl.

Cleveland (6'6/335) has been a mainstay up front for the Bulldogs, as he has started each of the team’s eight games at right guard. For his career the redshirt senior has appeared in a total of 44 games, which includes 15 during the 2017 season and another 13 in 2019. As for his NFL prospects, Cleveland is expected to be a Day 3 selection next spring.