We’ve had two weeks’ worth of preseason games, injuries, and press conference updates. Let’s take a look at where I think players stand now for each position group heading into the last week of preseason. The 53-man roster must be finalized by August 27th at 4pm EST.
Quarterback
Locks: Lamar Jackson, Cooper Rush
Long shot: Devin Leary
After a bounce-back performance in Week 2, Cooper Rush officially locks in his backup role behind Lamar Jackson, not that it was ever in actual danger. Fans will still stress about the picks he’s thrown, but overall, Rush can lead an offense with Henry, Flowers, Bateman, Andrews and more driving it. Devin Leary likely heads for the practice squad, looking to continue to develop and improve into an eventual NFL backup.
Running Back
Locks: Derrick Henry, Justice Hill, Keaton Mitchell, Patrick Ricard (Fullback)
Bubble: Rasheen Ali
Long shot: D’Ernest Johnson, Myles Gaskin, Lucas Scott (FB)
Rasheen Ali might be a lock after John Harbaugh’s comments following the Cowboys game, stating four running backs is the plan. But keeping four running backs plus Ricard seems a hefty load with the other roster crunches going around. Whether Ali makes the roster or not, expect one of Johnson or Gaskin to make it as the emergency running back, with Ali either on the 53 or likely to another team. Scott is also a practice squad candidate as the backup fullback and maybe the plan for whenever Ricard retires.
Locks: Mark Andrews, Isaiah Likely*, Charlie Kolar
Long shot: Scotty Washington, Zaire Mitchell-Paden, Baylor Cupp
For now, Likely is not an Injured Reserve candidate, with the plan for him to hopefully be ready by week one against Buffalo. Even if Likely isn’t ready then, he’d have to be in line to miss the first quarter of the season for the Ravens to put him on IR. If Likely does go on IR, I don’t think the Ravens will carry a third tight end and will use the extra spot to fill in holes elsewhere on the roster. Washington and Mitchell-Paden are the most likely practice squad candidates.
Wide Receiver
Locks: Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, DeAndre Hopkins, Tylan Wallace, Devontez Walker, LaJohntay Wester
Long shot: Anthony Miller, Dayton Wade, Malik Cunningham, Jahmal Banks, Keith Kirkwood, Xavier Guillory
This has been locked in from the start. Wester has earned his game day activation with his punt returning, and Walker earned his with a massive summer and a breakout game against the Cowboys. The Ravens will probably activate all six wideouts each game at this point, leading to decisions elsewhere. Miller, Wade, and Cunningham will be the favorites for the practice squad, but more could join.
Offensive Line
Locks: Ronnie Stanley, Andrew Vorhees, Tyler Linderbaum, Daniel Faalele, Roger Rosengarten, Corey Bullock, Ben Cleveland, Joseph Noteboom, Carson Vinson
Bubble: Nick Samac, Garrett Dellinger
Long shot: Darrian Dalcourt, Gerad Lichtenhan, Reid Holskey, Jared Penning
The top nine locks might be it. If the Ravens do go with four running backs plus Ricard, they are unlikely to keep 10 offensive linemen in their efforts to keep the roster balanced at 25 offensive and 25 defensive players. If the Ravens do keep 10, it will either be Samac or Dellinger, both inside linemen who haven’t received playing time until well into the game for both preseason showings. Lichtenhan will be the top tackle option on the practice squad.
Defensive Line
Locks: Nnamdi Madubuike, Travis Jones, Broderick Washington
Bubble: Aeneas Peebles, Brent Urban, John Jenkins, Basil C.J. Okoye
Long shot: C.J. Ravenell, Adedayo Odeleye, Jayson Jones
This is maybe the toughest room to sort. Peebles is likely a lock, but nothing is certain for a sixth-rounder with a limited role, even if it is pass rushing. Urban will likely be ‘cut’ then brought back in the typical handshake-deal fashion. Jenkins was signed as the veteran backup nose tackle, but has he done enough to earn the spot? Okoye has flashed potential a ton, but is he ready for a full-time NFL role? Ravenell will be the top target for the practice squad amongst the long shots.
Outside Linebacker
Locks: Odafe Oweh, Kyle Van Noy, Mike Green, Tavius Robinson, Adisa Isaac*, David Ojabo
Long shot: Malik Hamm, Kaimon Rucker
David Ojabo was a bubble player with maybe the biggest shot to make the 53-man roster. But with Harbaugh announcing that Isaac dislocated his elbow during the Cowboys’ preseason game, that makes Issac an IR candidate with Ojabo filling his spot. Hamm has been a priority for the Ravens for a long time, he’ll be a top target for the Ravens’ practice squad.
Inside Linebacker
Locks: Roquan Smith, Trenton Simpson, Teddye Buchanan
Bubble: Jake Hummel, Jay Higgins
Long shot: Chandler Martin, William Kwenkeu
This list had four locks to begin the summer, but Jay Higgins has played his way into making it a conversation. His youth and years of control make him a tempting add for the Ravens to have a locked up inside linebacker room for the next two or three years. This comes down to whether or not the Ravens feel like Hummel is a necessity for the special teams unit. If they can survive without him, they should go with the young talented ceiling of Higgins. Whichever of the bubble players doesn’t make paired with Martin are candidates for the practice squad.
Cornerback
Locks: Marlon Humphrey, Nate Wiggins, Jaire Alexander, Chidobe Awuzie, Jalyn Armour-Davis, T.J. Tampa
Bubble: Keyon Martin
Long shot: Marquise Robinson, MJ Devonshire
The cornerback room got simple with the unfortunate season-ending injuries to rookies Bilhal Kone and Robert Longerbeam. The Ravens love their defensive back and you can never have enough corners, so Martin could be added as a surprise. But any of the non-lock corners should sneak through waivers and be practice squad candidates.
Locks: Kyle Hamilton, Malaki Starks, Sanoussi Kane
Bubble: Beau Brade, Reuben Lowery
Long shot: Keondre Jackson, Desmond Igbinosun
This is a shocker to me. Beau Brade seemed like a sure lock until week two of the preseason, especially with Ar’Darius Washington’s injury. But Kane got the start next to Starks against the Cowboys. Then the next safety on was Lowery, who was already a lock at corner in my head. Lowery has shown up all offseason, from rookie minicamp, where he earned an invitation to training camp, and onwards. Brade didn’t play in week two until the fourth quarter, a far cry from week one when he was the first safety on after Starks came off. I think both Brade and Lowery make it over Keyon Martin, but it’s no longer as guaranteed as I thought after the Colts game.
Special Teams:
Locks: Tyler Loop, Jordan Stout, Nick Moore
Cut and dry. Harbaugh announced after the game that Loop earned the kicking role after his only competition was cut before the first preseason game. The Ravens could look for a vet kicker to put on the practice squad for the regular season, but at this point, this is Loop’s operation to run.