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It is hard to see how few make it into the NFL, until a consensus All-Big 12 First Team offensive lineman is an undrafted free agent, fighting for just one of the only 53 roster spots available. That is the new battle for former Oklahoma State lineman Parker Graham. Graham who has experience at both tackle positions and the right guard, projects to be at least at the start of his NFL career, a guard. Graham played right guard the final eight games this last season, a season in which Graham would be selected first team Big 12, not only by the media, but by the coaches as well.
The problem with Graham playing guard is that the guard position in Baltimore is pretty loaded already. At left guard where Graham is more likely to play just because of roster space, Graham will be behind two of the more promising lineman in the NFL. Kelechi Osemele, who played at Iowa State, was a second round pick for the Ravens two years ago, and was a replacement that ended up becoming a mainstay during the Ravens Super Bowl run that year. Osemele has started all 16 games that he has played in the NFL. Osemele is also returning from an injury that put him on the injured reserve last season, but is 100 percent healthy now. Osemele's back up is actually who Osemele replaced in the 2012 playoffs, Jah Reid. Reid was a third round pick in the 2011 draft and has started 7 games in his career.
It is easy to see that there is quite a bit of depth already in Baltimore, which is going to hurt Graham's chances of making the squad. Here is what Graham has that could aid him into making one of the 53 spots.
Graham's versatility is a plus, but in the NFL, every offensive lineman is versatile. That will at least keep Graham in the conversation for a roster spot. Graham's frame is exceptional, standing at 6'7'', Graham is well above the average height of an offensive lineman in the NFL, which is 6'5''. With Graham playing guard, he will be exceptionally taller than the average guard.
Another positive to Graham's chances is that the Ravens drafted poorly this year. They addressed their needs but also drafted players that will likely not make the team either due to the depth of the positions those players are in. That means that there will be a few more open slots for players that didn't get drafted. That's one more open door for Graham and even other free agent signings from this draft.
At the end of the day though, Parker Graham's chances of making the 53-man active roster are very small but it is quite the real possibility that he will make the practice squad. Graham is a player that would be considered a "fringe prospect" so he might be a guy that if another injury bug hits the Ravens line, Graham may be a fill in that finds his way into a active roster contract.