There are just two weeks left in the evaluation phase, which started with the offseason workout program and went on to include rookie minicamp, organized team activities, mandatory minicamp, three weeks of training camp, and one preseason game.
By 4 p.m. ET on August 27, the Baltimore Ravens will need to reduce their roster from 91 to 53 players. The team has already decided on many things. The remaining two Ravens preseason games are on Saturday afternoon at M&T Bank Stadium against the Atlanta Falcons and on August 24 in Green Bay. The remaining two weeks of practice include a combined session with the Packers the following week.
Complicating the picture of the roster are a few recent injuries. Additionally, there is significant ambiguity in the secondary and along the offensive line. However, after losing to the Philadelphia Eagles 16–13 in the first preseason game, it is time to try again with the 53-man roster projection.
Quarterback (2)
Who makes the cut?: Lamar Jackson, Josh Johnson
On the bubble: Devin Leary
Long shot: Emory Jones
Toughest call: not preserving Leary. Although his debut was underwhelming, the rookie selected in the sixth round did lead the team on a late-game touchdown drive on Friday night. Despite their historical preference to use just two quarterbacks, the Ravens surely want to retain Leary in order to further his growth. The attempt to get him through waivers will depend on luck.
Outlook: Here are two inquiries. As the backup quarterback, are the Ravens no longer confident in journeyman Johnson, who struggled on Friday? They maintain that they are not. But, there are possible improvements available if Baltimore believes it needs one, with Ryan Tannehill still a free agent and players like Case Keenum and Taylor Heinicke firmly established in No. 3 quarterback roles elsewhere. How committed are the Ravens to keeping Leary, is the second question? It will become more difficult to slip him past waivers and onto the practice squad as he performs better.
How confident are the Ravens in veteran Josh Johnson as their backup QB? (Tommy Gilligan / USA Today)
Running back (3)
Who makes the cut?: Derrick Henry, Justice Hill, Rasheen Ali
PUP list: Keaton Mitchell
On the bubble: Owen Wright
Long shot: Chris Collier
Toughest call: Taking Ali over Wright for the No. 3 running back job. It’s indisputable that Wright, the second-year undrafted free agent, has outplayed Ali, the rookie fifth-round pick, in both practices and Friday’s game. There’s time for Ali to close the gap. Let’s face it: If the competition is close, the nod usually goes to the guy the Ravens invested a draft pick in.
Outlook: The majority of the offensive work will be shared by Henry and Hill, so the winner of the No. 3 spot will primarily contribute on special teams. To determine who of Wright and Ali has the edge on special teams, there is not enough body of work. Ali will not necessarily be saved by being a rookie fifth-round pick. At the conclusion of their rookie preseasons, the Ravens had cut or moved three of their previous four fifth-round picks. However, it is undeniable that draft picks typically have more time, and Baltimore chose to take Ali in the first place for a purpose.
Wide receiver (6)
Who makes the cut?: Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, Nelson Agholor, Devontez Walker, Deonte Harty, Tylan Wallace
On the bubble: Russell Gage, Keith Kirkwood, Anthony Miller
Long shots: Malik Cunningham, Sean Ryan, Dayton Wade, Isaiah Washington
Toughest call: Maybe you should stick with five or six wide receivers. The Ravens plan to deploy Isaiah, a tight end. Probably similar to a receiver, so it would not feel hazardous to hold five true wideouts. If they decide to keep five, though, the Ravens will need to have faith in Walker’s potential to make an impact as a rookie and in Bateman’s health.
Outlook: Harty is still the front-runner to land the comeback position despite having hardly practiced. That would likely mean that there would be just one open spot and eight receivers vying for it. The Ravens have signed three veterans in Kirkwood, Gage, and Miller throughout the past month. For the sixth receiver position, it feels a lot like they are throwing everything at the wall and hoping something sticks. Wallace must be regarded as the front-runner. On Friday, he caught two catches for 26 yards, capping off a strong previous week. In addition, he plays well on special teams, which is practically a need for the sixth receiver position. The younger receivers have not all put up much of a fight to make the team.
Tight end/fullback (4)
Who makes the cut?: Mark Andrews, Isaiah Likely, Charlie Kolar, Patrick Ricard
Long shots: Qadir Ismail, Mike Rigerman, Riley Sharp, Scotty Washington
Toughest call: There isn’t one. This group was set when the Ravens reported to training camp, and only injuries can change that.
Outlook: This group is complete because of Ricard’s willingness to assist wherever needed and Kolar’s advancements as a blocker. Ismail has been an amazing tale, and his development should guarantee a berth on the practice squad. However, Baltimore needs depth in too many other places to keep an extra player here.
dynamic duo pic.twitter.com/55wBgYSdC0
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 10, 2024
Offensive line (9)
Who makes the cut?: Ronnie Stanley, Ben Cleveland, Josh Jones, Roger Rosengarten, Andrew Vorhees, Tyler Linderbaum, Daniel Faalele, Patrick Mekari, and Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu
On the bubble: Tashawn Manning, Nick Samac
Long shots: Corey Bullock, Darrian Dalcourt, Julian Pearl, Darrell Simpson
Toughest call: the last one or two positions of the offensive line. Ten offensive linemen might be kept by the Ravens, saving Aumavae-Laulu and improving Samac’s chances of sticking. Samac was selected in the seventh round. The Ravens appear to have eight roster locks at this moment, with three or four linemen competing for one or two spots.
Outlook: The Ravens are still figuring out their five starters, so this is still difficult to handicap. It is also likely that in the upcoming weeks a veteran will be added. Cleveland’s rise to prominence as a possible backup center ought to remove him from the bubble. He has a strong argument to be the first choice to start at right guard. To guarantee a berth, Aumavae-Laulu might have to defeat Manning, a second-year undrafted free agent. That is not a given. A few people in the building are Manning devotees. The fact that Samac has behind undrafted free agent Dalcourt on several occasions this summer is concerning for the rookie center.
Defensive line (5)
Who makes the cut?: Justin Madubuike, Michael Pierce, Travis Jones, Broderick Washington, Brent Urban
Long shots: C.J. Ravenell, Deadrin Senat, Josh Tupou, Tramel Walthour
Toughest call: There actually is not one, similar to at tight end. The Ravens concluded the previous season with the five players listed above. And that is the group the Ravens will open the 2024 season with, barring any injuries.
Outlook: If there were any adjustments made to the interior defensive line lineup other than giving Travis Jones a substantial increase in playing time, it would be surprising. On Friday, none of the defensive linemen who are vying for a spot on the roster stood out. For the practice squad, Ravenell would be a good developing prospect.
Outside linebacker (6)
Who makes the cut?: Odafe Oweh, Kyle Van Noy, Malik Harrison, Adisa Isaac, David Ojabo, Tavius Robinson
Injured reserve: Malik Hamm (knee, out for season)
Long shots: Joe Evans, Quincy Roche
Toughest call: Should the Ravens make an effort to sign a seasoned pass rusher? It was hoped—and still may be—that two of the younger pass rushers will close the gap with Oweh and Van Noy this year. However, Hamm’s season was cut short before it began, and Isaac and Ojabo are still recovering from injuries.
Outlook: The team’s main worry may be this position group. But the Ravens will be depending on Robinson, Ojabo, and Isaac to round out the rotation while also playing Harrison on early downs unless there is a surprise cut, trade, or addition of another edge rusher. This week, Isaac—who the organization thinks is beyond his hamstring problems from the offseason—should put in more practice time. Following ACL surgery in November, Ojabo ought to be getting close to being cleared to participate in a game. Before Eric DeCosta, general manager of the Ravens, has to start looking at other options, one of the team’s youthful edges needs to start showing more.
Inside linebacker (4)
Who makes the cut?: Roquan Smith, Trenton Simpson, Chris Board, Josh Ross
Long shots: Deion Jennings, Yvandy Rigby
Toughest call: Retaining Ross instead of making room on the roster for someone else. Harrison is a capable inside linebacker, so if Baltimore decides to go that route, having Harrison in addition to Smith, Trenton Simpson, and Board looks like adequate depth at the position.
Outlook: The Ravens will need one more player, most likely Ross, who is in his third season with the team, if they believe Harrison will play only outside, which is where we might be headed. Ross’s special teams prowess alone could help him make the squad. However, if the Ravens employ a lot of dime locks, they might only have one inside linebacker on the field at a time, thus there is a place where they might cut corners.
Cornerback (7)
Who makes the cut?: Marlon Humphrey, Brandon Stephens, Nate Wiggins, Jalyn Armour-Davis, T.J. Tampa, Ar’Darius Washington, Damarion Williams
Injured reserve: Arthur Maulet (knee, should return first half of season)
On the bubble: Ka’dar Hollman, Trayvon Mullen
Long shots: Bump Cooper Jr., Christian Matthew
Toughest call: Williams will remain the last cornerback. The one position where it makes sense to have an additional body is at cornerback, where the Ravens consistently struggle to keep players healthy.
Outlook: The picture has become somewhat clearer due to injuries to Maulet, Mullen, Tampa, and now Wiggins. This was beginning to look like one of Baltimore’s most contested position fights. The Ravens may decide to simply keep Maulet on the 53-man roster in order to avoid having him miss a minimum of four games if he recovers swiftly over the course of the next several weeks. Tampa has a lot of catching up to do considering the time he has already lost as a result of double hernia surgery. Washington has a good chance of making the squad because of his versatility as a safety and slot player. Williams may also get a final slot due to Maulet us injury.
.@FTK2662 SACK❗
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 10, 2024
Tune in now on WMAR! pic.twitter.com/e6FuRcBR6B
Safety (4)
Who makes the cut?: Kyle Hamilton, Marcus Williams, Eddie Jackson, Sanoussi Kane
On the bubble: Beau Brade, Daryl Worley
Toughest call: Brade is left off. Friday, the Maryland undrafted rookie displayed his physicality and intensity with a forced turnover and a tackle for loss. He may be vying for one slot alongside rookie seventh-round pick Kane.
Outlook: Eddie Jackson, Marcus Williams, and Hamilton make up the top three. Washington is a factor at safety as well, as the club prefers to line him up in the nickel. One more place is available, and Kane is most likely the front-runner for it. Special teams will be a major consideration in making some of these roster choices. Worley might agree to re-sign to the practice squad with the understanding that he will be promoted on game days early in the season, just like he did the previous year.
Specialist (3)
Who makes the cut?: Justin Tucker (kicker), Jordan Stout (punter), Nick Moore (long snapper)
Long shot: Jack Browning
Toughest call: There is not much to see here, as Moore has looked excellent since returning from an Achilles injury that ended his 2023 season, while Browning is probably just a camp leg.
Outlook: Having some consistency in the kicking game is nice. The least of the Ravens’ worries should be about their kicking battery; they will still need to make decisions about their coverage units and at returner.
(Top photo: Mitch Stringer / USA Today)
