ExtremeRavens Posted May 3 Posted May 3 After a free agent exodus of a dozen players, among other roster moves, there’s no sugar coating it: The Ravens will need some of their rookies to fill starting roles and others to contribute significantly in the 2024 season. The first step for Baltimore’s draft picks and undrafted free agents begins Friday, with the start of a three-day rookie minicamp in Owings Mills. But first-year players aren’t the only ones working. The NFL’s voluntary offseason program has already begun, with two weeks of meetings, strength and conditioning and physical rehabilitation kicking off April 15. Beginning May 20, Baltimore will begin the first of its organized team activities, followed by a three-day mandatory minicamp June 10-12 before players break until training camp. The Ravens’ 90-man roster will continue to take shape over the next several weeks and months, from the addition of undrafted free agents to potential veteran signings and other roster maneuvering. How will the depth chart shake out? Here’s an early look. Quarterback The top two spots are set, with two-time and reigning NFL Most Valuable Player Lamar Jackson the starter and coach John Harbaugh having already declared veteran Josh Johnson, who will turn 38 in two weeks, the backup. After that is where things get interesting, with the Ravens having used a sixth-round pick on Devin Leary and Harbaugh saying the Kentucky alum will “probably be the third quarterback this year.” That could leave second-year man Malik Cunningham, whom the Ravens signed off the New England Patriots’ practice squad, potentially looking for work. Running back Another position where the top spot is set, four-time Pro Bowl running back Derrick Henry was the Ravens’ biggest free agent splash of the offseason. Behind him, Justice Hill, who is also a contributor on special teams, is in the final year of his contract, while Keaton Mitchell, the flashy undrafted rookie from a year ago, continues to recover from a torn ACL suffered in mid-December. The addition of Rasheen Ali in the sixth round helps. With Mitchell on the mend, the quick and dynamic back from Marshall should get plenty of opportunities in training camp and preseason. Owen Wright, a 2023 undrafted free agent, would likely be headed for the practice squad. North Carolina wide receiver Devontez Walker joined the Ravens as a fourth-round pick. (Chris Seward/AP) Wide receiver Zay Flowers ascends to the top spot after leading the Ravens in catches and yards last season. 2021 first-round pick Rashod Bateman is essentially right there, too, after signing an extension that keeps him in Baltimore through 2026. Veteran Nelson Agholor returns for another season after signing a one-year extension, but this is where things start to get interesting. The Ravens used a fourth-round pick on Devontez Walker, a big, speedy but unpolished receiver out of North Carolina, and signed Baltimore native and former Pro Bowl returner Deonte Harty last month. Then there’s Tylan Wallace, who has been a special teams stalwart and did a nice job returning punts in a fill-in role last year, and unproven second-year receiver Sean Ryan. Tight end/fullback This is the one position on the roster that will likely look the same this season, with 2021 All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowl selection Mark Andrews leading the way, followed by Isaiah Likely, who filled in beautifully when Andrews went down with an ankle injury last season, and fellow 2022 fourth-round pick Charlie Kolar. After that comes Scotty Washington, along with probably another tight end or two, at least through training camp. Patrick Ricard, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, will continue to play a role at fullback and in-line tight end. Offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley will be back at left tackle after restructuring his contract and taking a pay cut, while second-round pick Roger Rosengarten should have the inside track to the right tackle job over Daniel Faalele. Patrick Mekari could also be an option on the right side, though the Ravens prefer the versatile veteran in a utility role who can play any of the five offensive line positions. Guard Both spots are open after Kevin Zeitler and John Simpson departed in free agency, and there isn’t a clear-cut answer to who will step in and start for them. On the left side, Andrew Vorhees, who missed his rookie season last year while he recovered from a knee injury, should be the favorite, while 2021 third-round pick Ben Cleveland could be tabbed for the right side if he continues to progress from the solid work he did in limited snaps last season. There’s also free agent signing Josh Jones, who has experience at guard and tackle, though Harbaugh noted Jones’ experience on the left side. Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu got starting reps as a rookie last summer but never saw the field once the games counted. Tashawn Manning and TyKeem Doss, meanwhile, were both on the practice squad last year and should be back. Center This is one offensive line spot the Ravens don’t have to worry about. Tyler Linderbaum is coming off his first Pro Bowl selection, though he will be extension-eligible after the season and should command a big payday. With Sam Mustipher having left in free agency, seventh-round rookie Nick Samac figures to back up Linderbaum, though Mekari could fill in if necessary. Defensive tackle/end Another group that will look identical to last year, Justin Madubuike headlines the interior after a 13-sack season that landed him a four-year, $98 million extension. After that, it’s Michael Pierce, Broderick Washington, 2022 third-round pick Travis Jones and 32-year-old veteran Brent Urban. The Ravens also have Rayshad Nichols, who spent the past two seasons on the practice squad, and veteran Bravvion Roy. Outside linebacker Jadevon Clowney, who had 9 1/2 sacks last season, left in free agency, but Kyle Van Noy, who had nine sacks, is back. The Ravens also picked up the fifth-year option on 2021 first-round pick Odafe Oweh, keeping him in Baltimore for two more seasons. After that, 2022 second-round pick David Ojabo will have to show that he’s fully healthy and can be an impact player. Malik Harrison’s ability to set the edge in run defense could give him the nod, though he can also play inside. Third-round draft pick Adisa Isaac was productive at getting to the quarterback at Penn State and is likely a rotational player along with Tavius Robinson, while Malik Hamm, a City College graduate, is more of a project. Inside linebacker After the free agent departure of Patrick Queen, the Ravens are confident Trenton Simpson, whom they drafted in the third round last year, can step in and start. Meanwhile, two-time All-Pro Roquan Smith will continue to anchor the group, with Chris Board and Josh Ross next in line. Expect Baltimore to add another couple of players here, though, just to be able to get through training camp if nothing else. Iowa State defensive back T.J. Tampa adds depth to the Ravens’ secondary. (Paul Vernon/AP) Cornerback Marlon Humphrey and Brandon Stephens will be the favorites to start outside, though the Ravens loaded up on this position in the draft with first-round pick Nate Wiggins and fourth-round selection T.J. Tampa. Wiggins will be a contributor immediately, and his speed and ball skills should allow Baltimore to move Humphrey to the inside if needed. Arthur Maulet also returns in his slot role, along with 2022 fourth-round pick Damarion “Pepe” Williams. Tampa, meanwhile, projects more inside and possibly as a third safety. The rookie additions could also leave the oft-injured Jalyn Armour-Davis on the bubble. Ka’Dar Hollman, another free agent signing, brings special teams experience, and the Ravens also have Trayvon Mullen, Tre Swilling and Christian Matthew. Safety With Geno Stone’s free agent departure, the third safety role will be up for grabs behind All-Pro Kyle Hamilton and veteran Marcus Williams. Ar’Darius Washington is one option, though he’s proven better as a nickel corner, while seventh-round pick Sanoussi Kane likely won’t be ready. Undrafted free agent Beau Brade, a former River Hill and Terps star, could also be in the mix. Given the versatility of the Ravens’ defensive backs, it’s possible they could slide one of the aforementioned players into that role or add a veteran in free agency considering the solid and inexpensive options still available. Special teams Justin Tucker and Jordan Stout will be the Ravens’ kicker and punter, respectively, while long snapper Nick Moore should be fully recovered after suffering a torn Achilles tendon last summer. View the full article Quote
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