With each hot and humid day that passes, Roger Rosengarten is spending more time hunkering down in the protective formation around Lamar Jackson.

Picked 62nd overall in the second round of the NFL draft, Rosengarten was the top lineman selected by the Ravens in a year they needed to replace three offensive line starters. As an All-America second-team right tackle from Washington, Rosengarten seemed like the replacement for starting right tackle Morgan Moses.

But the jump in size, speed and strength from college to the NFL is big, and Rosengarten’s draft profiles listed lower-body strength as a potential weakness. Through much of minicamp, Rosengarten was on a different field working with the rookies, so it was hard to determine if that assessment would prove accurate when he faced the Ravens’ aggressive defensive line.

When training camp arrived, Rosengarten played mostly on the second team, with occasional reps with the ones. And at first the defensive line exposed him for the rookie he is.

In 11-on-11s, the defensive line easily found a path to Jackson around the right edge. Rosengarten, in his few starting reps, was taking on the likes of Pro Bowl defensive lineman Justin Madubuike, who had the most sacks of any interior lineman in the NFL last year, and outside linebacker Odafe Oweh, who the Ravens say is poised for a big season.

They beat him with strength, and they beat him with speed.

But, when the pads came on and practices amped up, Rosengarten’s play amped up too. He was winning a lot of his one-on-ones, most of which were against Malik Hamm. Coach John Harbaugh said Hamm, who is now out for the season with an ACL injury, was having a strong camp.

While Rosengarten was spending the majority of his time working with the second line, Patrick Mekari was in with the starters. Mekari started at right tackle last year when Moses was hurt. He said he just wants to play, and he’s leaving it up to the team to determine what his role should be. The coaches have said his biggest strength is his versatility and that they like having him as the sixth man who can fill in at any position.

As one of the veterans, Mekari has taken on a leadership role. Despite Rosengarten presenting competition for a starting job, Mekari has opened himself up as a resource for the rookie.

“He’s really immersed in the meetings, really locked in at practice,” Mekari said. “He’s a pro. Working to get better every day. I like what I’m seeing. He’s going to get it done. He’s got a chance.”

Thursday marked the first time the division of first-team reps shifted to a more equal share. Mekari was the first one to go out with Jackson, but in the next drill Rosengarten was the first to head out with the starters. His one-on-ones were also against starters. He took on Madubuike and Oweh.

“I thought Roger’s been doing well, deserved a shot with the ones,” Harbaugh said. “You saw him get a shot with the ones today. So we’ll just keep working through that and let it play out.”

Should Rosengarten win the job at right tackle, Mekari would most likely continue to be the first guy the Ravens look to when an offensive lineman gets hurt. But don’t count him out. The Ravens could still rotate Mekari in at starting right tackle even when Rosengarten is healthy. It wouldn’t be the first time they’ve done it, Harbaugh said. In fact, he thinks they were the first team to do such a thing, creating a starting offensive line rotation.

One-on-ones

• With safety Kyle Hamilton getting physical through the route stem, tight end Isaiah Likely fell as he tried to break back on a comeback route. The ensuing pass had no chance.
• Tight end Mark Andrews overpowered safety Eddie Jackson at the line of scrimmage to win on a quick slant.
• Wide receiver Sean Ryan froze rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins with a clever route stem and hesitation move before breaking to the middle of the field for a catch on a post route.
• Cornerback Arthur Maulet stayed attached to wide receiver Malik Cunningham as he ran a dig route, then broke up the throw.
• Likely bullied undrafted rookie safety Beau Brade at the line of scrimmage, separating easily for a catch over the middle on an in-breaking route.
• Wide receiver Tylan Wallace, guarded tightly by cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis on a vertical route down the right sideline, made an impressive catch on a back-shoulder throw but couldn’t get both feet in bounds.
• Andrews beat Eddie Jackson along the left sideline, making an over-the-shoulder basket catch before sliding to the field to complete the reception.
• Likely got half a step on Hamilton on a go route, but the deep shot to him was just overthrown.

Attendance

Wide receiver Deonte Harty remains out with a soft tissue injury. Cornerback Trayvon Mullen (shoulder) was also absent, as were the three expected players, outside linebacker Adisa Isaac (hamstring), cornerback T.J. Tampa (sports hernia) and running back Keaton Mitchell (ACL).

Harbaugh reiterated that they’re hoping to get Isaac back soon.

Thursday saw the return of outside linebacker Joe Evans. Wide receiver Rashod Bateman, who was at practice Wednesday but did not participate in team drills, was back catching passes from Jackson.

Guard Ben Cleveland left practice early after he “got his head banged a little bit,” according to Harbaugh. He was expected to be evaluated Thursday night.

Stock report

• Inside linebacker Malik Harrison picked off a pass over the middle from quarterback Josh Johnson in 11-on-11 action, continuing his strong camp. Harbaugh called him a “very valuable player” who’s “done a great job. Really, really proud of Malik.”
• Armour-Davis was one of the Ravens’ best defenders, matching up well with Bateman downfield and making plays against the second-string offense. He nearly came down with an Odell Beckham Jr.-esque one-handed interception as he defended a deep pass to Ryan down the left sideline.
• After Johnson and undrafted rookie wide receiver Isaiah Washington connected downfield for a big gain against Wiggins, the rookie cornerback quickly responded, nearly picking off Johnson’s next pass.
• Rookie safety Sanoussi Kane broke quickly on a corner route by wide receiver Keith Kirkwood to pick off a pass from rookie quarterback Devin Leary. “A steady guy, grinding every day,” Harbaugh said of Kane, who also broke up a pass to undrafted rookie tight end Riley Sharp. “And then [he] comes out today when the pads come on, it’s a physical practice, and he shows up. It’s kind of what we expected.”

Jonas Shaffer contributed to this report.