Grading the signing: The Baltimore Ravens’ signing of Ethan Pocic is a smart gamble with some real risk
The Baltimore Ravens finally added a replacement for Tyler Linderbaum at center. What kind of solution is Ethan Pocic?
The Baltimore Ravens‘ offseason loss of Tyler Linderbaum has loomed in the background like a bit of a shadow. We’ve heard all about a healthy Lamar Jackson. How exciting the marriage is with Declan Doyle as the offensive coordinator. The team’s reinforced pass rush unit and upgrades at offensive guard.
But Linderbaum was a heavyweight loss. And, until yesterday, the Baltimore Ravens hadn’t done much of anything to secure a viable replacement. That changed on Friday with the news that the team was signing veteran center Ethan Pocic. How good of a fit is he? And, perhaps more importantly, high much of a risk does he pose coming off an injury?
Grading the Baltimore Ravens’ signing of center Ethan Pocic
Starting with the quality of play, Pocic should be considered a sufficient level starter based on his last two seasons of play with the Browns. Pocic’s pressure numbers in pass protection were strong in 2025, although the raw data is missing the final month of the season after Pocic tore his Achilles on December 7th. The year before, Pocic ranked tied for the 3rd most pressures allowed of any center in football (28), trailing only Garrett Bradbury and Josh Myers.
He was at his best when he first arrived in Cleveland in 2022 and 2023 — he allowed less pressures in those two seasons combined than he did in 2024. If he can return to that form, Baltimore’s got themselves a steal on a one-year, $4.5 million max value contract. But that’s a big if for a few reasons.
Pocic turns 31 years old on August 5th. And, of course, he’s just seven months removed from that Achilles injury that ended his 2025 season. Yes, he’s medically cleared for action. But the question will be how well his mobility returns after an extensive rehab process. We’ve seen a great deal of advances in medical recovery — but it’s still not uncommon for players to not quite be themselves upon return.
That’s the new question for the Baltimore Ravens at center. On the surface, this signing is going to raise both the floor and the ceiling on the heart of the offensive line. But it doesn’t completely eliminate the risk.
GRADE FOR ETHAN POCIC SIGNING: B+
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