Joe Fagano and Ethan Burke found a way to beat the odds.
Both undrafted rookies earned a place on Baltimore's initial 53-man roster announced on Sunday by making each day count and consistently making plays.
Fagnano will be the No. 3 quarterback behind Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley, as the Ravens will carry three quarterbacks on their opening roster for the first time since 2020.
Burke, a consistent playmaker all summer, will join Trey Hendrickson, Tavius Robinson, Mike Green, and Zion Young in the outside linebacker room. Burke beat out Adisa Isaac, a former third-round pick, for the spot.
At least one undrafted rookie has made Baltimore's initial 53 in 22 of the last 23 years, with the lone exception being 2020. Finding undrafted gems is part of the Ravens' DNA, and Fagnano and Burke played as if they belonged.
Fagnano never seemed worried about being a longshot to make the roster, looking like a veteran quarterback whenever his number was called during three preseason games. He led the NFL with 509 passing yards during the preseason and completed 74.7% of his passes. Poised in the pocket and accurate, Fagnano convinced the Ravens he was too good to let go.
"To his credit, he has put it on tape," Head Coach Jesse Minter said after Friday's 41-3 preseason victory over the Washington Commanders. "He has been really consistent. He has played a certain way almost all three games."
It has been a magical few months for Fagnano, who played the last three seasons at UConn after starting his college career at Maine. Being in an NFL environment never seems too big for him, and now, he's in the big-time.
"My goal was to just make the most of my opportunities, control what I can and then let the chips fall where they may," Fagnano said Friday. "Again, I can go to sleep tonight knowing that I did everything that I could, and that was my goal."