ExtremeRavens Posted Thursday at 11:30 AM Posted Thursday at 11:30 AM With Ravens training camp set to start this week, The Baltimore Sun offered a few thoughts on the 42 offensive players on the team’s roster. The 53-man roster will be finalized Aug. 26 before the Ravens’ regular-season opener Sept. 7 against the Buffalo Bills. Quarterback Lamar Jackson One of the NFL’s biggest stars keeps finding new sources of motivation. Jackson was ranked as the league’s No. 4 quarterback in ESPN’s poll of NFL executives, coaches and scouts, behind the Cincinnati Bengals’ Joe Burrow. The 28-year-old veteran is coming off a record season, albeit without an NFL Most Valuable Player Award. He was ranked as the most efficient quarterback in the NFL, both by expected points added and yards per attempt. Jackson threw 41 touchdown passes to just four interceptions, becoming the only quarterback in league history with those numbers. Baltimore’s Super Bowl hopes ultimately rest on his shoulders. Cooper Rush Rush signed a two-year deal worth up to $12.2 million this offseason, giving the Ravens their most proven backup in years. Despite looking mediocre in voluntary offseason practices, the 31-year-old Rush went 9-5 as a starter with the Dallas Cowboys and has offensive coordinator Todd Monken’s trust. Devin Leary The former Kentucky quarterback is aiming to potentially make the practice squad or the 53-man roster. The NFL allows teams to elevate a third quarterback from the practice squad for games, but that player would count against the game-day roster limit. Running back Derrick Henry “King Henry’s” 2024 season was perhaps the most impressive of his career, as he converted his 20.4 touches per game into 2,114 combined rushing and receiving yards and 18 touchdowns. That earned him a two-year, $30 million extension in the offseason and he should continue to get heavy usage. How the Ravens balance the 31-year-old’s workload with other talented running backs, including Keaton Mitchell in his return from injury, will be a storyline to watch. Justice Hill The Oklahoma State product has carved out a nice role in Baltimore as RB2. Hill was the Ravens’ best receiving back last season, catching 42 passes for 383 yards, both career highs. His usage could dwindle with Mitchell returning, but Jackson clearly trusts the 27-year-old out of the backfield. Keaton Mitchell After suffering a devastating knee injury in December 2023, Mitchell, 23, is looking to return to form as both a running back and potentially the Ravens’ kick returner. Mitchell reached 22.4 mph during an offseason workout inside the team’s practice facility, which is faster than his reported speed before the injury. “He looks way better than he did at the end of last season just as far as movement,” coach John Harbaugh said. “I have hopes for him. I expect him to be really good.” Rasheen Ali A fourth-round draft pick in 2024, Ali was a nonfactor last season. He played in just six games, recording 10 carries. The former Marshall standout has some juice, and his draft pedigree puts him squarely on the roster bubble. But with Henry and Hill entrenched in their roles, and Mitchell coming back, Ali’s chances are slim. Marcus Major The 24-year-old rookie signed as an undrafted free agent out of Minnesota after playing five seasons at Oklahoma. He’s squarely fifth on the depth chart. Wide receiver Zay Flowers The Ravens’ No. 1 wideout missed last season’s playoff game against the Buffalo Bills, an underrated aspect of the loss. Flowers took a massive leap in his second season. The 24-year-old made the Pro Bowl, led the team in catches (74) and receiving yards (1,059) and was 16th in the NFL in yards per route run at 2.25. Baltimore wants to involve the third-year star even more: he had five or fewer targets in five games and had less than 50 receiving yards in eight regular-season contests. “We’ve just got to get him the ball more,” Monken said. “He’s an unbelievable football player. He’s not only an outside receiver that has elite route-running skills, but he’s unbelievable with the ball in his hands.” Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers works out during a June practice. Flowers has spent time working out with quarterback Lamar Jackson this offseason, building increased chemistry ahead of the 2025 season. (Stephanie Scarbrough/AP) Rashod Bateman Bateman earned his third multiyear contract with the Ravens, becoming the first wideout in the team’s history to do so. Finally healthy, the 25-year-old was second in the league with one or more steps of separation while getting open, picked up 39 first downs, forced 10 missed tackles and had 26 catches of 15-plus yards, according to Pro Football Focus. If he can avoid the injury issues that have plagued his career, Bateman is a perfect complement to Flowers as the Ravens’ No. 2 receiver. DeAndre Hopkins Perhaps the biggest offseason addition on offense, the 33-year-old Hopkins is looking for a Super Bowl ring in Baltimore. While not the receiver he once was, the five-time All-Pro is still a big outside target who can allow for Flowers and Bateman to shift into the slot. Expect modest numbers but valuable contributions from the veteran this season. Tylan Wallace Wallace has never had more than 15 receptions, 200 yards or two touchdowns in a season, but he’s tied for the longest-tenured receiver on the team and can play in a pinch. The 26-year-old former Oklahoma State star brings punt returning experience, including a game-winning touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams in 2023, and could be the Ravens’ best option at that spot. Devontez Walker Walker, 24, played in just 11 games as a rookie and recorded one catch for a touchdown but has looked improved this offseason. He’s got the frame (6-1, 200 pounds) and speed (4.36 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine) to be a depth piece and should make the roster. Ravens wide receiver Devontez Walker leaves the field after a September practice. Walker was rarely used as a rookie, but he has impressed during offseason workouts. (Staff file) LaJohntay Wester The lightest player on the offense (170 pounds), Wester has a chance to make the roster on special teams. He’s a dynamic athlete, showcasing a ton of wiggle during OTAs. He took the majority of reps at punt returner during practices. His punt return average was 12 yards and his kick return average was 15 yards during his lone season at Colorado. Anthony Miller Miller made a spectacular one-handed catch during offseason practices, but the 30-year-old veteran is a known commodity at this point of his career. He’s played just two games over the past three seasons, both with the Ravens. Malik Cunningham Cunningham has one of the most interesting stories on the team. He was selected in the 2023 USFL draft, although he chose to bypass the regular season and signed an undrafted contract with the New England Patriots as a quarterback. The Ravens reunited him with Jackson, his former college teammate at Louisville, in 2024 and transitioned him back to wide receiver. The 26-year-old signed a reserve/future contract with the team in February. Keith Kirkwood Another big body, Kirkwood has been in the league since 2018. The Ravens signed the 30-year-old to the practice squad during training camp in 2024 and he seems destined for a similar role in 2025. Xavier Guillroy The undrafted free agent out of Arizona State recorded 43 catches for 565 yards and six touchdowns in two seasons with the Sun Devils. He posted a 39-inch vertical jump at his pro day, which could make for fun training camp catches. Dayton Wade Wade, a former Ole Miss standout, is a shifty athlete who is expected to back up Wester and Flowers during training camp. Jahmal Banks The 6-4, 220-pound Banks starred at St. Frances and then at Nebraska, where he led the Cornhuskers with 587 receiving yards in 2024. Tight end Mark Andrews Jackson publicly defended one of his closest teammates after Andrews received harsh criticism for his crucial playoff drop against the Bills. With a lengthy injury history, the 30-year-old veteran can’t be expected to play a full season. But when he’s on the field, Andrews is one of the league’s most consistent tight ends, finishing top 10 in yards, touchdowns and average depth of target at the position last year. From left, Ravens tight ends Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely are shown during OTAs. The duo forms one of the best tight-end tandems in the NFL. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Isaiah Likely The 2022 fourth-rounder keeps improving. Likely’s six touchdowns were eighth in the league at his position and his yards per route run ranked top 15 among NFL tight ends. With another offseason, could this be the season the 25-year-old surpasses Andrews in the pecking order? Charlie Kolar Kolar, 26, is one of the best third tight ends in the game. He’s a strong blocker and should continue to get on the field in heavy packages and near the red zone. Sam Pitz Beyond the top three, the depth chart is unsettled. The undrafted free agent out of the University of Minnesota Duluth is a camp body with strong blocking experience. Zaire Mitchell-Paden The 25-year-old Rockville native was signed to the team’s practice squad in October but did not appear in a game. Offensive line Ronnie Stanley The 31-year-old left tackle made his second career Pro Bowl in 2024, which earned him a three-year, $60 million extension this offseason. Stanley is the longest tenured Raven and started all 17 games for the first time in his career last season. He did earn a career-high four holding penalties, which was a part of a larger penalty issue. Andrew Vorhees Vorhees, 26, is competing for the left guard spot, Harbaugh said. The Ravens scooped up the USC graduate in the seventh round of the 2023 draft and he started three games for them last season. After tearing his ACL in the predraft process, he looked fully healthy this offseason. Tyler Linderbaum With Lions center Frank Ragnow retiring this offseason, Linderbaum has a claim as the best center in the NFL. The 25-year-old has not allowed a sack since his rookie year, according to PFF, and was graded as the fourth-best run blocker at the position last season. Daniel Faalele Once the NFL’s heaviest player, the 370-pound Faalele was the 70th-rated guard last season, according to PFF. Ravens offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley, right, talks with Roger Rosengarten, left, during 2024 training camp. Rosengarten performed well as a rookie and is the team's projected starting right tackle in 2025.(Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Roger Rosengarten Another young offensive lineman, Rosengarten was excellent as a rookie last year. He was named to the Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie team in 2024 and started 16 games at right tackle. Ben Cleveland The 26-year-old guard signed a one-year deal worth $1.17 million this offseason even after his playing time significantly dwindled. He played just 49 offensive snaps last year, the lowest of his career. Cleveland was cited for a DUI in Georgia over the offseason. Emery Jones Jr. The rookie has not practiced this offseason with a shoulder injury and Harbaugh said that he’s not expected to be ready for the start of training camp. Even if he were able to return, it’s difficult to imagine Jones earning the opportunity to start with such little practice time. Joe Noteboom A strong veteran signing, Noteboom started almost half of his games in his seven seasons with the Los Angeles Rams. The 30-year-old can play both tackle positions and has experience at guard. He’s the likely backup tackle to Rosengarten or Stanley. Carson Vinson The fifth-round rookie out of Alabama A&M impressed at the NFL scouting combine with his agility. The only HBCU draftee in 2025, Vinson has an opportunity to make a mark with Jones out. Garrett Dellinger The Ravens loaded up in the trenches during the draft. The LSU graduate played left tackle, left guard and center during his time with the Tigers and that positional versatility enhances his chances to make the roster. Nick Samac The center did not appear in any games in 2024 and should be in a battle for a backup role. He does have a year in the system, which should give him an advantage over other options. Darrian Dalcourt Dalcourt starred at St. Frances and committed to Alabama as a four-star recruit. He started 16 games at center for the Crimson Tide and signed as an undrafted free agent in 2024. Jared Penning Penning, the younger brother of 2022 first-round pick and current New Orleans Saints tackle Trevor Penning, was a standout at Northern Illinois. Corey Bullock The Maryland graduate transferred to the Terps for the final season of his college career. He was the only steady force amid a shaky offensive line and signed as an undrafted free agent with the Ravens. Gerad Lichtenhan The Oregon State left tackle was the Offensive Lineman of the Year in the two-team Pac-12 Conference and played in the East-West Shrine Bowl. He earned an 81.8 overall grade from PFF and committed just one penalty while giving up two sacks. Reid Holskey Holskey started 44 games at Miami (Ohio) and was named first-team All-MAC in 2024. Ozzie Hutchinson Hutchinson was named All-Coastal Athletic Association last fall despite playing just six games because of injuries. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Jane at sjane@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/Sam_Jane230. View the full article Quote
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