Patrick Mekari Bio
Patrick Mekari is an American professional football guard for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL). Born on August 13, 1997, in Westlake Village, California, he played college football for the California Golden Bears before entering the professional ranks. Mekari went undrafted in 2019 but quickly secured a position with the Baltimore Ravens, where he proved his versatility and skill across the offensive line. After several seasons as a dependable starter in Baltimore, he signed a lucrative contract with the Jaguars in 2025.
Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighing 305 pounds, Mekari has built a career on positional flexibility, transitioning between guard and tackle while logging significant starting experience. He is recognized as a steady, hard-working lineman whose football intelligence has helped him overcome the typical challenges faced by undrafted players.
Early Life and Background
Patrick Mekari was born and raised in Westlake Village, California, a suburban community in the western part of Los Angeles County. He grew up in a culturally rich household, as the son of a Lebanese American father and an Iranian American mother who settled in California. This diverse family background helped shape his outlook as a young athlete growing up in Southern California.
Mekari attended Westlake High School, where he developed into a promising offensive lineman. His size, footwork, and work ethic drew the attention of college recruiters, and he eventually committed to play for the University of California, Berkeley. The program provided him with a strong foundation in the technical and physical demands of high-level collegiate football.
At California, Mekari spent multiple seasons developing within the Golden Bears program, working through the rigors of Pac-12 competition. His college experience prepared him to take the next step toward a professional career, even as he was not selected in the NFL draft following his senior season.
Path to the NFL
After his collegiate career with the California Golden Bears from 2015 to 2018, Mekari entered the 2019 NFL draft hoping to hear his name called. When the draft concluded without a selection, he signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent. His path to the league was not glamorous, but his performance during the Ravens’ training camp and preseason gave him a clear opportunity.
Mekari impressed coaches with his versatility, a trait that became a hallmark of his early professional career. He made the Ravens’ initial 53-man roster, extending a streak of undrafted players making the Baltimore roster to 16 consecutive years. That achievement marked the start of a professional journey defined by adaptability and perseverance.
His first regular-season action came in 2019 when he entered a game against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 12 after an injury to starting center Matt Skura. Shortly afterward, he made his first career start at home against the San Francisco 49ers when Skura was placed on season-ending injured reserve. Those early appearances signaled that Mekari could be trusted in meaningful situations.
Patrick Mekari Career
Early Career (2019–2020)
Patrick Mekari’s first two NFL seasons with the Baltimore Ravens were defined by steady development. After earning a spot on the 53-man roster as an undrafted free agent in 2019, he appeared in games as a depth piece and spot starter along the offensive line. His ability to step into multiple positions made him a valuable insurance policy for a Ravens team with championship aspirations.
The 2020 season brought new challenges, including a stint on the reserve/COVID-19 list in late November 2020 before being activated in early December. Despite the disruption, Mekari continued to build his resume as a reliable swing lineman capable of filling in at tackle or guard. His work during this period helped establish him as a future starter.
Baltimore Ravens Breakthrough (2021–2024)
The 2021 season marked a major turning point in Mekari’s career. After injuries to starting left tackle Ronnie Stanley and starting left guard Tyre Phillips in Week 1, the Ravens reshuffled their offensive line, and Mekari stepped into the starting right tackle role for the majority of the season. He held that position with consistency, demonstrating the run-blocking and pass-protection skills expected of a starting NFL lineman.
On December 30, 2021, the Ravens rewarded Mekari’s strong play with a three-year contract extension, a notable commitment to a player who had entered the league as an undrafted free agent. The extension reflected the organization’s confidence in his continued growth and his importance to their offensive line plans.
Over the remaining years of his Ravens tenure through 2024, Mekari continued to serve as a versatile and dependable contributor. His reputation as a smart, position-flexible lineman grew, and he became a respected presence in the locker room. By the time his time in Baltimore concluded, he had built a strong resume that included extensive starting experience.
Jacksonville Jaguars Era (2025–Present)
On March 12, 2025, Patrick Mekari signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars on a three-year, $37.5 million contract, beginning the next chapter of his NFL career. The signing was a significant move in free agency, signaling that Jacksonville viewed him as a long-term answer along its offensive line. His arrival added a proven veteran presence to a unit undergoing transition.
Wearing jersey number 65, Mekari joined the Jaguars with a clear role as a starting guard. His track record of durability and his ability to play multiple positions gave the Jaguars flexibility in how they constructed their offensive line combinations. He quickly became a central figure in the team’s plans heading into the 2025 season.
Through the 2025 campaign, Mekari has continued to log meaningful snaps, bringing stability and experience to the Jaguars’ front. His transition from a reserve role in Baltimore to a starting role in Jacksonville represents a natural progression for a player who has earned every opportunity through steady performance.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the most notable milestones in Mekari’s career came in 2021, when he stepped into a starting role following injuries to two key Ravens linemen and held the position for most of the season. That performance, capped by a three-year contract extension, validated his journey from undrafted free agent to dependable NFL starter. His subsequent free-agent signing with Jacksonville further underscored the respect he has earned around the league.
Patrick Mekari Career Statistics
As of the 2025 season, Patrick Mekari has appeared in 102 NFL games and made 67 starts, while also recording 1 fumble recovery. These totals reflect a career built on durability, versatility, and steady contributions along the offensive line for both the Baltimore Ravens and the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Career Highlights
Over the course of his NFL career, Mekari has earned recognition as one of the more reliable undrafted linemen of his draft class. His 67 career starts demonstrate the trust multiple coaching staffs have placed in his ability to protect quarterbacks and create running lanes.
Other Performances
Mekari’s college career with the California Golden Bears from 2015 to 2018 helped lay the groundwork for his professional success, providing him with the technical foundation and competitive experience needed to thrive at the next level.
| Team | Years | Games Played | Games Started |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore Ravens | 2019–2024 | — | — |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | 2025–present | — | — |
Patrick Mekari Family
Family Background
Patrick Mekari is the son of a Lebanese American father and an Iranian American mother, who settled in California. This multicultural upbringing contributed to his broad perspective and grounded personality, qualities that have carried into his professional career.
Personal Life
Mekari grew up in Westlake Village, California, where his family supported his early athletic development. He has continued to build his life around football, maintaining an active presence on social media where fans can follow his journey.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represents Patrick Mekari’s first year with the Jacksonville Jaguars after signing a three-year, $37.5 million contract in March. Wearing number 65, he has been counted on to bring veteran stability to an offensive line in transition, and his performance has been a key storyline for the team early in the campaign.
Through the season’s progress, Mekari has continued to log starts and provide the kind of steady play that defined his time in Baltimore. His versatility allows the Jaguars to use him in multiple spots along the interior or at tackle, giving the coaching staff valuable flexibility in game planning and personnel decisions.
Looking ahead, Mekari’s role with the Jaguars appears firmly established as a long-term building block. With his contract running through 2028, he is positioned to remain a central figure on Jacksonville’s offensive line for years to come, contributing to the team’s efforts to build a more competitive roster.
