The Ravens look extremely ready for the regular season.
Baltimore concluded an undefeated three-game preseason with an impressive 30-3 victory over the Washington Commanders on Saturday. With starters from both teams resting, the Ravens showed their quality depth and took quick control with two long touchdown drives in the first half.
Now, it's time to predict what Baltimore's initial 53-man roster will look like by Tuesday's NFL deadline. Here's my prediction, with thoughts on why I think it will shake down this way:
Quarterback (2): Lamar Jackson, Cooper Rush
Devin Leary had his strongest showing of the preseason against the Commanders, but the Ravens said Jackson will be "fine" after his foot injury in practice. There's no need for the Ravens to carry three quarterbacks, making Leary a candidate to return to the practice squad.
Running Back (4): Derrick Henry, Justice Hill, Keaton Mitchell, Rasheen Ali
You can argue that the Ravens don't need four running backs, not with the deepest running back rotation in the NFL.
However, Ali has shown he can fill multiple roles as a runner, receiver, and kickoff returner. He had another strong performance against the Commanders (nine carries, 36 yards, one touchdown) and five catches. If one of Baltimore's top running backs gets nicked or suffers a major injury, Ali would become even more important, and he's a major player on special teams. Head Coach John Harbaugh gave him a strong endorsement after Saturday's game.
"I think he's proven himself to be a good back," Harbaugh said. "He's a big part of special teams. He's starting on every special teams right now. Something would have to change for that not to be the case. Dynamic kickoff return. He's on the punt team, he's on the punt return team, he's on the kickoff team."
Wide Receiver (6): Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, DeAndre Hopkins, Tylan Wallace, Devontez Walker, LaJohntay Wester
This could be the most talented wide receiver group the Ravens have ever had. Walker might be their most improved player since last season, Flowers and Bateman are coming off career seasons, and Hopkins is a five-time Pro Bowler who has looked very good in camp. The biggest question heading into camp was whether Wester could win the punt return job, and the rookie did that with flying colors by taking a return to the house in the preseason opener.
Offensive Line (9): Ronnie Stanley, Andrew Vorhees, Tyler Linderbaum, Daniel Faalele, Roger Rosengarten, Ben Cleveland, Joseph Noteboom, Corey Bullock, Carson Vinson
Bullock started all three preseason games and appears to have won the backup center job behind Linderbaum. Cleveland has experience and can play multiple positions as a backup. Noteboom should be the swing tackle and Vinson is a rookie with promise. If the Ravens decide to keep 10 linemen, I think seventh-round rookie Garrett Dellinger will make it. However, I think nine will be the number, which will allow the Ravens to keep one more defensive back.
Tight End/Fullback (4): Mark Andrews, Isaiah Likely, Charlie Kolar, Patrick Ricard
The only mystery is whether Likely will be placed on Injured Reserve after his foot injury in training camp, which would force him to miss at least the first four games. If Ravens think there's any chance that Likely will play Week 4 against the Kansas City Chiefs or earlier, I think he'll open the season on the 53-man roster.
Defensive Line (4): Nnamdi Madubuike, Travis Jones, Broderick Washington Jr., Aeneas Peebles
It will be interesting to see what happens with veterans Brent Urban and John Jenkins. Urban has re-signed with the Ravens in previous years after not being part of the initial 53-man roster, and I think that will happen again. Jenkins is a veteran who was signed this offseason to strengthen the defensive line and he could easily be part of the 53. But Peebles should be part of the rotation after an impressive camp, and the Ravens can get away with four healthy defensive linemen on game days. I think Baltimore may risk not including Jenkins and Urban on the initial 53, then re-sign either or both.
Outside Linebacker (5): Kyle Van Noy, Odafe Oweh, Tavius Robinson, Mike Green, David Ojabo
Adisa Isaac's preseason elbow injury that will force him to start the season on injured reserve made this position easier to sort out. Ojabo has improved and is healthy, but it remains to be seen how many snaps he plays with Green looking very promising as a rookie.
Inside Linebacker (4): Roquan Smith, Trenton Simpson, Jake Hummel, Teddye Buchanan
Both Jay Higgins IV and Chandler Martin had strong training camps as undrafted free agents, and it won't be shocking to see Higgins make the team. Higgins could land on the practice squad and has an NFL future, but he may get frozen out of the initial 53.
Cornerback (7): Marlon Humphrey, Nate Wiggins, Jaire Alexander, Chidobe Awuzie, T.J. Tampa, Jalyn Armour-Davis, Keyon Martin
An undrafted free agent, Martin added to his preseason highlights against Washington with a pick-six and tackle for loss and has played with great instincts. Tampa and Armour-Davis both stayed healthy this summer and have proven they belong in the corner rotation. Could Martin and Reuben Lowery both make the initial 53? It's possible. The Ravens value cornerback depth, Alexander and Awuzie have missed some recent practices, and sixth-round picks Robert Longerbeam and Bilhal Kone are already lost for the season.
Safety (5): Kyle Hamilton, Malaki Starks, Sanoussi Kane, Reuben Lowery, Beau Brade
As an undrafted free agent, Lowery simply played too well during the spring and summer not to make it and has shown a knack for making plays on the ball. Brade has proven himself as an experienced special teams contributor.
Specialists (3): Tyler Loop, Jordan Stout, Nick Moore
Putting a bow on his outstanding preseason, Loop went 3-for-3 on field goals against Washington, including a 61-yarder in the fourth quarter that brought huge smiles from Baltimore's bench. Loop was also good from 46 and 52 yards and should enter the regular season brimming with confidence.
