On paper, the Ravens’ roster math is easy. They entered Monday with 79 gamers on their roster. By 4 p.m. Tuesday, their preliminary 53-man roster might be set. On Wednesday, they’ll transfer a handful of ailing gamers to injured reserve — clearing area for veterans they intend to re-sign or newcomers who may fill a necessity — and assemble their 16-man follow squad.
In follow, the Ravens’ calculus is extra advanced. There are offers with brokers to make. There’s a waiver wire to observe. There are commerce proposals to mull over. There are roster issues to weigh.
“You have to decide not just between guys at a position, but how many guys you keep at one position across to another,” coach John Harbaugh mentioned after the Ravens’ 17-15 win Saturday over the Washington Commanders, their twenty third straight preseason triumph. “So we’ll just see where we go tomorrow and the next day.”
After a comparatively secure Ravens preseason, common supervisor Eric DeCosta’s subsequent three days could possibly be comparatively easy. Two weeks from the season opener, there are solely so many variables in play. But with uncertainty lingering at key positions, the entrance workplace may veer in surprising instructions.
Here’s a take a look at how the Ravens’ preliminary 53-man roster may take form:
Offense
Quarterback (2): Lamar Jackson, Tyler Huntley
In his early offseason exercises, undrafted rookie Anthony Brown seemed like he’d be simply one other coaching camp physique. Instead, he ended the preseason with 464 passing yards, three touchdowns and a 117.7 passer score, the sixth highest amongst quarterbacks with a minimum of 20 makes an attempt coming into Sunday. Huntley’s improvement makes Brown a luxurious on this roster, however he’d make a high-quality follow squad quarterback.
Running again (4): J.Okay. Dobbins, Mike Davis, Justice Hill, Tyler Badie
Gus Edwards (knee) will miss a minimum of 4 video games after being positioned on the reserve/physically-unable-to-perform record. Dobbins’ early-season availability is unsure; even when his surgically repaired knee is cleared for reside repetitions, he’d nonetheless want time to ramp up his workload. That leaves Davis, who began all three preseason video games and has the teaching workers’s belief, because the probably Week 1 starter. Hill’s pace, all the time an asset on particular groups, has caught Harbaugh’s eye. Badie’s burst and rookie standing ought to give him the nod over Nate McCrary.
Wide receiver (5): Rashod Bateman, Devin Duvernay, Demarcus Robinson, James Proche II, Tylan Wallace
Robinson’s signing — and subsequent explosion in Saturday’s dwelling win — takes a few of the thriller out of the receiver competitors. With Proche (smooth tissue) and Wallace (knee) recovering from minor accidents, the Ravens needed to discover one other complementary wideout, particularly with no in-house candidates rising. Shemar Bridges, Makai Polk, Binjimen Victor and Raleigh Webb all topped out at one standout preseason efficiency. Just a few will probably return as follow squad members. Wallace’s particular groups capability ought to hold him secure regardless of a disappointing camp.
Tight finish/fullback (5): Mark Andrews, Patrick Ricard, Nick Boyle, Isaiah Likely, Charlie Kolar
Likely did sufficient in two preseason video games to skip the finale. Boyle, who performed simply over a 3rd of the offensive snaps in wins over the Arizona Cardinals and Commanders, may enter the season behind him on the depth chart. Kolar, nonetheless recovering from sports activities hernia surgical procedure, is an apparent IR candidate. With the Ravens’ depth right here, the rookie received’t have to rush his approach again.
Offensive sort out (4): Ronnie Stanley, Morgan Moses, Ja’Wuan James, Daniel Faalele
The excellent news: Stanley’s anticipated to return to follow this week. The maybe-bad information: That won’t be sufficient time for the All-Pro left sort out, sidelined all offseason by one other ankle rehabilitation, to prepare for Week 1. James is a stable backup, although he hasn’t began a sport since 2019.
Interior offensive line (6): Ben Powers, Tyler Linderbaum, Kevin Zeitler, Patrick Mekari, Tyre Phillips, Ben Cleveland
The Ravens’ much-anticipated left guard competitors didn’t give the entrance workplace a lot in the way in which of commerce chips. Powers is the front-runner. Phillips flashed his expertise inside however struggled with penalties and in his sort out reps. Cleveland hasn’t practiced or performed because the Ravens’ win over the Cardinals.
At heart, Linderbaum has eased any Week 1 considerations. The first-round choose mentioned after Saturday’s sport that he expects his foot to be absolutely wholesome for the season opener. If he’s not, the versatile Mekari can step in.
Defense
Defensive line (6): Calais Campbell, Michael Pierce, Justin Madubuike, Broderick Washington, Travis Jones, Isaiah Mack
If the Ravens desire a six-man rotation right here, Jones’ knee damage, which may sideline him for just a few video games, ought to assist Mack’s roster possibilities. He’s a extra probably candidate for the workforce’s preliminary roster than Brent Urban, whom the Ravens may conform to re-sign after Tuesday’s cut-down deadline. (As a “vested” veteran, Urban isn’t topic to waiver claims and may signal with any workforce.) Aaron Crawford’s groin damage hurts his possibilities of making a Week 1 roster after a powerful preseason, however he may return to Baltimore on the follow squad.
Outside linebacker (4): Odafe Oweh, Justin Houston, Daelin Hayes, David Ojabo
Tyus Bowser (Achilles tendon) will miss a minimum of 4 video games after being positioned on the reserve/PUP record. Ojabo, who’s headed to IR, received’t be prepared till a minimum of midseason as he rehabs his personal Achilles damage. Steven Means, a vested veteran who impressed in camp, would probably take the second-round choose’s spot on the roster later this week. Even with inside linebacker Malik Harrison’s expertise as an edge defender, Hayes’ damage historical past could lead on the Ravens to search for extra assist. Undrafted rookie Jeremiah Moon figures to be a follow squad goal.
Inside linebacker (4): Patrick Queen, Josh Bynes, Malik Harrison, Josh Ross
Ross completed the preseason with 20 tackles (two for loss) and one move protection over three video games, averaging a sort out each 5.7 defensive snaps. Foyesade Oluokun, who led the NFL in tackles final season for the Atlanta Falcons, averaged a cease each 6.0 defensive snaps in 2021. Ross’ rookie-year function in Baltimore would probably be restricted to particular groups, however he confirmed sufficient this month for some workforce to need the undrafted Michigan product. Defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, who coached him in faculty, has additionally raved about his character.
Kristian Welch’s particular groups expertise shouldn’t be neglected, although. The Ravens already misplaced two stalwarts there within the offseason with the retirement of defensive back-linebacker Anthony Levine Sr. and with inside linebacker Chris Board becoming a member of the Detroit Lions.
Cornerback (6): Marlon Humphrey, Marcus Peters, Kyle Fuller, Brandon Stephens, Jalyn Armour-Davis, Damarion “Pepe” Williams
Kevon Seymour’s possibilities of sneaking onto the roster took successful after he left Saturday’s sport with an ankle damage. If Seymour, a vested veteran, is wholesome sufficient to play on Sept. 11, there’s nonetheless a viable path to the Ravens’ Week 1 roster, particularly if Armour-Davis (head) or Williams (undisclosed) stays sidelined in follow. Peters didn’t take part in workforce drills throughout the open portion of camp, however he was wholesome sufficient to seize an interception in a latest follow, security Chuck Clark mentioned Thursday. Daryl Worley joined the Ravens’ follow squad late final 12 months and will rejoin it this fall.
Safety (4): Marcus Williams, Chuck Clark, Kyle Hamilton, Geno Stone
Tony Jefferson mentioned after Saturday’s sport that he “wants to be a Raven.” He additionally mentioned he understands “the technicalities that go with everything and all that.” Translation: Even if Jefferson, a vested veteran, doesn’t make the preliminary roster, he’d be a high candidate to take a spot vacated by a participant heading to IR. Ar’Darius Washington, who missed offseason exercises with a foot damage that additionally delayed his coaching camp debut, can be a helpful follow squad piece. He performed all however two snaps Saturday and has the ability set to cowl slot receivers.
Special groups
Specialists (3): Justin Tucker, Jordan Stout, Nick Moore
With Cameron Dicker’s launch Sunday, it’s again to the established order for the Ravens’ kicking battery.
Week 1
RAVENS@JETS
Sunday, Sept. 11, 1 p.m.
TV: Chs. 13, 9
Radio: 97.9 FM, 101.5 FM, 1090 AM
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Source: www.bostonherald.com