"The Competition" is a series that breaks down every position battle leading up to training camp.
Returning Players
Rookies
Projected Starters
Williams and Jernigan are the expected starters, with Williams garnering plenty of buzz going into his third NFL season. General Manager Ozzie Newsome already pointed to Williams as one of the best nose tackles in the game, and the Ravens expect him to be an anchor in the middle of the defense. Jernigan has high hopes of his own, telling reporters during Organized Team Activities that his goal is to make the Pro Bowl this season. Williams and Jernigan will be in the spotlight this fall as they fill the void left by Haloti Ngata, and the Ravens expect them to rise to the challenge.
Key Role Players
The Ravens like to use a heavy rotation along the defensive front, meaning the second and third players on the depth chart could still get plenty of snaps. Guy and Walker both saw game action last year, with Guy playing a more significant role. Guy is the most veteran defensive tackle on the team, and he's a solid backup when the starters come off the field. The Ravens also have high hopes for Davis, this year's third-round pick. Davis was admittedly disappointed he fell into the third round, and he plans to use that as fuel to prove teams wrong for passing on him. The Ravens will take a good look at him this summer to determine what role he's ready to take on early in the season.
Most Anticipated Battle
The competition here is really for the snaps behind Jernigan and Williams. There will be plenty of opportunities for Guy, Davis or Walker to earn playing time, and the preseason will be key for them. Walker is likely a bubble player who will need a strong showing during the preseason to cement his status on the roster.
