Prospects for the Baltimore Ravens roster have just over a week to make an impact. By 4 p.m. ET on August 27, Baltimore must reduce its roster from 91 to 53 players.
This week, as the Ravens prepare for practices on Monday and Tuesday at their Under Armour Performance Center, travel to Green Bay on Wednesday, take part in joint practices with the Packers on Thursday, and play their preseason finale on Saturday at Lambeau Field, there will be a lot of discussion about all the jobs that are at stake.
However, the majority of the organization’s decisions have already been made as a result of an evaluation process that began when players reported to the team facility in mid-April to begin the offseason training program. Nonetheless, the team’s decision-makers likely have a few more difficult choices to make.
It is time for another stock update, as cutdown day draws near. As we approach the last week of the preseason schedule, who is winning and who is losing?
Stock: Up
Kyle Hamilton, S
Given how highly valued he already is, Hamilton most likely has no place on our list. But his week is worth mentioning. During practice on Sunday, he collapsed into a heap, leaving his coaches, teammates, and the about 1,000 spectators in a state of shock. In the end, he hobbled back to the building. He was allowed to work out on the field with an athletic training staff member one day later. The following day, he participated fully in practice and marked his comeback by making a play on a deep ball to Zay Flowers. The following day, Hamilton led by example by tackling running backs Owen Wright and Justice Hill to the ground. Hamilton possesses
Qadir Ismail, TE
The Ravens were set going into training camp with Mark Andrews, Isaiah Likely, Charlie Kolar, and Patrick Ricard back, and Ismail just so happens to be playing that position. That does not lessen the summer’s accomplishments of the Samford product, an undrafted free agent who switched to tight end about a month ago. With Qadir joining the club his father, Qadry Ismail, played for and helped win a Super Bowl, it was always going to be a feel-good tale. But Qadir has achieved much more than that by seizing every chance and developing quickly. His character has also been highly praised by teammates and coaches. He ought to have a spot on the practice squad, at the absolute least. He has merit.
TD @qadir_ismaiI ❗ pic.twitter.com/y7usqeLvnF
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 15, 2024
Anthony Miller, WR
Miller looked like just another young, healthy player the Ravens could use to get through the preseason when he was signed a week ago. But his quickness has already left an impact. He has participated in a few plays in practically every Ravens practice, and against the Atlanta Falcons, he had receptions on three straight plays. Is he doing enough to go up the depth chart past Tylan Wallace? Perhaps not, but the Chicago Bears’ second-round selection has shown enough to at least be considered this late in the game.
David Ojabo, OLB
Against the Falcons, the 2022 second-round selection was not given credit for a tackle or sack. Nevertheless, he made a much-needed advancement when he successfully completed a few of his pass rush exercises, played quickly rather than hesitantly, and appeared fit and focused. The former Michigan standout had a couple of excellent practice days before his performance in the game. Yes, it is crucial to keep your expectations in check because this is really a small sample. Nonetheless, Ojabo was a player in desperate need of good momentum, and he generated some last week.
Returning young defensive backs
Ar’Darius Washington, a third-year pro, has likely eliminated any doubt about his inclusion on the opening roster by having a solid camp and preseason. Jalyn Armour-Davis and Damarion Williams, two third-year corners, have performed well in practice and games while maintaining their health. The roster berth for Armour-Davis seems assured, and Williams may profit from Arthur Maulet is knee injury. It seemed not that long ago that Washington, Armour-Davis, and Williams would not have enough room on the team. More work needs to be done, especially for Williams. But he has done his share thus far.
Roger Rosengarten, RT
Rosengarten controlled himself well and continued to play into the third quarter of the second preseason game. Although it was not a flawless performance, it was evident what the Ravens loved in him in the draft and what they thought would make him a right tackle starter who could be used right away. He plays with awareness, agility, and toughness. He capitalized on the front-line reps during the last week and made a big progress toward securing the starting right tackle position. Rosengarten may inevitably have some challenges in his first year, but they should only be temporary as he grows stronger and more experienced.
Honorable mention: Bump Cooper Jr., CB; Josh Johnson, QB; Trenton Simpson, ILB; Dayton Wade, WR
John Harbaugh — in his 17th season with the Ravens — still has roster decisions to make with one preseason game remaining. (Tommy Gilligan / USA Today)
Stock: Down
Rasheen Ali, RB
The rookie selected in the fifth round had a low key to training camp, struggled in the first preseason game when faced with little yards, and sustained what head coach John Harbaugh described as a “stinger.” Since then, he has not been on the field, and on Saturday against the Falcons, he did not play. Wright, his primary rival for the No. 3 running back position, snagged a touchdown pass in the interim. Ali has a lot of work ahead of him this week if the selection is restricted to the performance in practice and games over the previous four weeks. But as everyone knows, there are other factors. Ali must first return to the field. Establishing his merit for a roster position will be his second priority. Ravens rookie fifth-round picks have been moved or cut.
Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, OL
Aumavae-Laulu never really put himself forward for a starting guard position, and it does not look like he has secured a reserve spot on the 53-man roster either. Into the last week before roster cuts, the 2023 sixth-round pick seems like one of the real “bubble” players. The fact that there is not much competition for the two offensive line spots that the Ravens may have open is in his favor. However, the fact that the Ravens used Aumavae-Laulu at tackle in the second half of their preseason game may indicate that they are still figuring out where to best deploy him.
Reserve inside linebackers
Although Malik Harrison has been playing well this summer, it might be more crucial for him to play at the sam position given the team’s external concerns. Josh Ross has not said much during camp and sat out the Falcons game due to an injury that was not made public. Chris Board was sidelined for the whole week following his concussion during the preseason opener. Yvandy Rigby and Deion Jennings, two undrafted rookies, have not done well enough to earn a berth on the squad. It is now unclear how deep the bench is behind starters Roquan Smith and Simpson.
Russell Gage, WR
Midway through training camp, the 28-year-old was signed by the Ravens with the intention of giving him time to recover from a serious knee injury that cost him the 2023 season. On his first session, Gage leaped straight in and found the end zone. He had an unreported injury shortly after, and the only times we have seen him since were while he was working with an athletic trainer on a field nearby. He has a limited amount of time to recover and establish his eligibility for the 53-man roster.
drafted rookie class
There are a few exceptions here. Ismail has practiced extremely well. Wade has flashed. Cooper has come on lately. Emory Jones will always have that touchdown throw against the Falcons. Still, the Ravens enter the final week before the roster cuts without an obvious choice for an undrafted rookie to make the team. It used to be a formality that the Ravens would find 53-man roster space for an undrafted free agent. They take extreme pride init. However, this is shaping up to be a year when their free-agent rookie class isn’t represented on the 53-man roster come early September.
Devontez Walker, WR
Walker only saw six offensive snaps in the game against the Falcons, and Harbaugh later revealed that he is still nursing a rib issue. The fourth-round rookie’s challenging training camp has come to an end. He has struggled with health problems, not had many practice opportunities, and limited game time. The Ravens cutting a rookie fourth-round pick seems improbable. Walker, though, is running out of time to convince the Ravens that he is worthy of a starting position on game day. Should the rib problem continue, the Ravens may be able to retain a seasoned receiver such as Miller, Gage, or Keith Kirkwood on the 53-man roster by using injured reserve.
(Top photo of Ar’Darious Washington: Scott Taetsch / Getty Images)
