The next phase of the ramp-up to the regular season is upon us as the Ravens kick off their preseason slate Saturday against the Eagles at M&T Bank Stadium.
Here are my thoughts on where things stand, all in 50 words or less:
1. The Ravens' cornerback room is hampered by injuries to Rock Ya-Sin, Arthur Maulet and Trayvon Mullen and possibly Jalyn Armour-Davis and Pepe Williams. As two crucial players, it would be a real bummer if Armour-Davis and/or Williams can't play in the preseason opener. They need the work.
2. The cornerback depth is "an issue," John Harbaugh said. But for how long? The Ravens already signed Ya-Sin and Maulet. They have young, promising players such as Armour-Davis, who need game experience to grow, and veterans, such as Kevon Seymour, who are having strong camps.
3. Besides depth, the question is whether the Ravens still need an upgrade, or at least another contender, to be the possible starting cornerback opposite Marlon Humphrey. If opponents feel that's a weakness, they'll attack it with regularity considering the strengths everywhere else on this Ravens defense.
4. Ultimately, I expect the Ravens side on "you can't have too many corners." Baltimore reportedly hosted veteran cornerback William Jackson III Friday and there are other options still on the market. The Ravens aren't going to sit idle when they know they have a legitimate shot at the Super Bowl.
5. The Ravens are also clearly still in the pass rusher market, evidenced by reported visits from Jadeveon Clowney and Kyle Van Noy. It's probably safe to say they'll sign an edge before the regular season. The Ravens have just under $9 million in cap space and two open roster spots.
Check out the action from the Under Armour Performance Center at 2023 Ravens training camp.
WR Laquon Treadwell
S Marcus Williams
QB Lamar Jackson
CB Arthur Maulet
QB Tyler Huntley
WR Nelson Agholor
K Justin Tucker
TE Mark Andrews
WR Laquon Treadwell
WR Odell Beckham Jr.
WR Laquon Treadwell
CB Rock Ya-Sin
QB Lamar Jackson
QB Lamar Jackson
WR Devin Duvernay
WR Nelson Agholor
WR Odell Beckham Jr.
WR Zay Flowers
WR Odell Beckham Jr.
RB Melvin Gordon III
QB Lamar Jackson
WR Zay Flowers
OL Patrick Mekari
RB Gus Edwards
From left: T Ronnie Stanley, C Tyler Linderbaum
G Kevin Zeitler
WR Odell Beckham Jr.
RB Justice Hill
OLB Kelle Sanders
S Marcus Williams
RB Gus Edwards
NT Michael Pierce
QB Lamar Jackson
ILB Patrick Queen
CB Daryl Worley
Team huddle
WR Odell Beckham Jr.
RB Melvin Gordon III
DT Trey Botts
P Jordan Stout
S Ar'Darius Washington
RB Melvin Gordon III
DT Justin Madubuike
T Ronnie Stanley
T Morgan Moses
G/T Sala Aumavae-Laulu
QB Lamar Jackson
RB Melvin Gordon III
TE Mark Andrews
DE Brent Urban
CB Rock Ya-Sin
CB Kyu Kelly
QB Lamar Jackson
From left: G John Simpson, OL Patrick Mekari
WR Devin Duvernay
QB Tyler Huntley
QB Lamar Jackson
DB Brandon Stephens
WR Zay Flowers
WR Zay Flowers
QB Lamar Jackson
QB Lamar Jackson
LB Del'Shawn Phil
CB Jalyn Armour-Davis
WR Charlie KOlar
WR Laquon Treadwell
WR Zay Flowers
QB Josh Johnson
CB Kyu Kelly
WR Dontay Demus Jr.
WR Tylan Wallace
QB Tyler Huntley
WR Laquon Treadwell
G/T Sala Aumavae-Laulu
QB Lamar Jackson
From left: C Tyler Linderbaum, T Ronnie Stanley
From left: QB Josh Johnson, QB Coach Tee Martin, QB Lamar Jackson
FB/TE Ben Mason
RB Keaton Mitchell
P Jordan Stout
From left: OLB Jeremiah Moon, WR James Proche II
RB Gus Edwards
From left: CB Corey Mayfield Jr., WR Laquon Treadwell
WR Tarik Black
QB Lamar Jackson
From left: ILB Roquan Smith, WR James Proche II
WR Odell Beckham Jr.
From left: T Ronnie Stanley, OC Todd Monken
RB Melvin Gordon III
QB Lamar Jackson
RB Melvin Gordon III
From left: RB Owen Wright, RB Keaton Mitchell, RB Justice Hill
ILB Patrick Queen
FB/TE Ben Mason
RB Melvin Gordon III
ILB Patrick Queen
WR Nelson Agholor
QB Lamar Jackson
WR Odell Beckham Jr.
OLB Kelle Sanders
Defense
TE Mark Andrews
DT Kaieem Caesar
QB Lamar Jackson
TE Charlie Kolar
DT Angelo Blackson
FB/TE Ben Mason
TE Isaiah Likely
WR Zay Flowers
CB Daryl Worley
WR Nelson Agholor
RB Keaton Mitchell
NT Michael Pierce
OLB Odafe Oweh
QB Lamar Jackson
LB Kristian Welch
RB Owen Wright
TE Charlie Kolar
CB Marlon Humphrey
From left: DT Rayshad Nichols, DT Travis Jones
From left: NT Michael Pierce, DE Brent Urban, DT Angelo Blackson
G Ben Cleveland
QB Johs Johnson
WR Makai Polk
CB Marlon Humphrey
RB Justice Hill
S Marcus Williams
From left: OLB Malik Hamm,
QB Lamar Jackson
From left: CB Kevon Seymour, WR Tylan Wallace
WR Odell Beckham Jr.
QB Lamar Jackson
WR Nelson Agholor
RB Melvin Gordon III
WR Odell Beckham Jr.
TE Mark Andrews
From left: OLB Tavius Robinson, T Daniel Faalele, QB Josh Johnson
Offense
From left: DT Angelo Blackson, C Tyler Linderbaum
RB Justice Hill
From left: QB Lamar Jackson, ILB Roquan Smith
QB Lamar Jackson
From left: G/T Sala Aumavae-Laulu, T Ronnie Stanley, TE Mark Andrews
G/T Sala Aumavae-Laulu
WR Odell Beckham Jr.
QB Lamar Jackson
From left: DB Brandon Stephens, TE Isaiah Likely
QB Lamar Jackson
TE Isaiah Likely
WR Odell Beckham Jr.
From left: NT Michael Pierce, C Tyler Linderbaum
G John Simpson
From left: S Marcus Williams, RB Keaton Mitchell
RB Justice Hill
QB Tyler Huntley
From left: DT Broderick Washington, T Ronnie Stanley
QB Lamar Jackson
T Ronnie Stanley
From left: CB Marlon Humphrey, S Kyle Hamilton
ILB Patrick Queen
WR Zay Flowers
Offense
CB Jordan Swann
G/T Sala Aumavae-Laulu
ILB Patrick Queen
G John Simpson
ILB Roquan Smith
NT Michael Pierce
WR Devin Duvernay
S Kyle Hamilton
From left: OLB Jeremiah Moon, FB/TE Ben Mason
OLB Kelle Sanders
From left: QB Lamar Jackson, QB Josh Johnson
RB Melvin Gordon III
OLB Tavius Robinson
QB Lamar Jackson
WR Odell Beckham Jr.
WR Makai Polk
QB Josh Johnson
WR Odell Beckham Jr.
G Ben Cleveland
ILB Roquan Smith
WR Devin Duvernay
QB Lamar Jackson
From left: CB Jalyn Armour-Davis, WR Laquon Treadwell
G/T Sala Aumavae-Laulu
From left: S Marcus Williams, WR Sean Ryan
ILB Roquan Smith
WR Tarik Black
From left: CB Kevon Seymour, WR Nelson Agholor
Defense huddle
From left: OLB Tavius Robinson, T Ronnie Stanley
From left: WR Devin Duvernay, S Marcus Williams
From left: CB Kevon Seymour, WR Shemar Bridges
LB Kristian Welch
QB Tyler Huntley
WR Tarik Black
RB Gus Edwards
QB Tyler Huntley
Head Coach John Harbaugh
DT Broderick Washington
Huddle
QB Lamar Jackson
From left: K Justin Tucker, P Jordan Stout
From left: OLB Coach Chuck Smith, OLB Kelle Sanders
QB Josh Johnson
From left: WR Devin Duvernay, CB Jalyn Armour-Davis
G Tashawn Manning
LB Patrick Mekari
From left: G Ben Cleveland, DT Travis Jones
RB Melvin Gordon III
From left: OLB Odafe Oweh, T Ronnie Stanley
From left: WR Zay Flowers, WR Sean Ryan, WR Dontay Demus Jr.
From front: TE Isaiah Likely, TE Mark Andrews
RB Gus Edwards
RB Melvin Gordon III
DT Angelo Blackson
WR Laquon Treadwell
From left: WR Nelson Agholor, CB Kevon Seymour
QB Lamar Jackson
From left: T Daniel Faalele, T Ronnie Stanley
RB Gus Edwards
S Jaquan Amos
QB Lamar Jackson
From left: CB Jeremy Lucien, WR Sean Ryan
From left: QB Lamar Jackson, C Tyler Linderbaum
WR Zay Flowers
QB Lamar Jackson
QB Lamar Jackson
CB Marlon Humphrey
C Tyler Linderbaum
CB Marlon Humphrey
TE Mark Andrews
QB Lamar Jackson
From left: CB Jordan Swann, WR James Proche II
WR Tylan Wallace
From left: DT Broderick Washington, DT Justin Madubuike, NT Michael Pierce, OLB Coach Chuck Smith
Special Teams
From left: CB Arthur Maulet, DB Brandon Stephens
DT Justin Madubuike
WR James Proche II
WR Laquon Treadwell
TE Isaiah Likely
RB Melvin Gordon III
G/T Sala Aumavae-Laulu
RB Justice Hill
From left: ILB Roquan Smith, ILB Patrick Queen
From left: WR Dontay Demus Jr., CB Corey Mayfield Jr.
TE Mark Andrews
WR Odell Beckham Jr.
WR Rashod Bateman
RB Gus Edwards
From left: WR Rashod Bateman, WR James Proche II
WR James Proche II
RB J.K. Dobbins
QB Lamar Jackson
WR Nelson Agholor
From left: T Daniel Faalele, OLB Jadeveon Clowney
From left: RB Melvin Gordon III, RB Keaton Mitchell
WR Odell Beckham Jr.
From left: WR Rashod Bateman, CB Ronald Darby
QB Lamar Jackson
TE Charlie Kolar
RB J.K. Dobbins
QB Lamar Jackson
RB Gus Edwards
K Justin Tucker
S Kyle Hamilton
WR Tarik Black
From left: C Tyler Linderbaum, G Kevin Zeitler
WR Rashod Bateman
T Ronnie Stanley
From left: QB Lamar Jackson, RB J.K. Dobbins
QB Lamar Jackson
WR Odell Beckham Jr.
QB Lamar Jackson
QB Lamar Jackson
QB Lamar Jackson
QB Lamar Jackson
QB Lamar Jackson
QB Lamar Jackson
WR Odell Beckham Jr.
WR Odell Beckham Jr.
WR Odell Beckham Jr.
WR Odell Beckham Jr.
WR Dontay Demus Jr.
WR Tylan Wallace
6. Broadly speaking, teams are always balancing bringing back proven veterans versus turning the page to young ascending players. It's tough. Baltimore didn't bring back Calais Campbell, Justin Houston, or Marcus Peters. Broderick Washington, David Ojabo, and Armour-Davis (and others) have their chance to prove the Ravens' faith correct.
7. Even if Washington, Ojabo and Armour-Davis, for example, aren't the same quality of player right now that the veterans are who they're replacing, the Ravens' job is to determine how quickly they can match or exceed what that veteran player provided, of course factoring in salaries and other issues.
Here's who is flashing at Ravens training camp practice at the Under Armour Performance Center.
WR Nelson Agholor
Agholor has shown instant chemistry with Lamar Jackson this summer and the two have developed a reliable back-shoulder throw that should help unlock Agholor's deep game too.
G/T Sala Aumavae-Laulu
The fact that the sixth-round rookie took the first-team reps at left guard for the first 10 practices of training camp is alone a testament to his rapid improvement.
WR Odell Beckham Jr.
Beckham has brought more than just star power and screaming kids to training camp. He's practiced every day except for one and shown his crafty route-running and sticky hands. He's building trust with Jackson.
WR Zay Flowers
The rookie first-round pick has been absolutely electric, dusting cornerbacks in one-on-one drills and making catches all over the field in full team work. Every defensive back on the team says his new nickname, "Joystick," fits him well.
S Kyle Hamilton
Hamilton has looked at ease in his transition to playing a deeper safety role. He's been a daily tough matchup for tight end Mark Andrews and registered a couple interceptions.
TE Isaiah Likely
The second-year tight end was a standout in training camp last year and he's picked up where he left off. Likely just has a knack for getting open and making catches. While the Ravens will use more wide receivers in formations this year, Likely is showing he's deserving of a significant role.
DT Justin Madubuike
Madubuike has been dominant inside at times getting into the backfield. He's showing that he could be on the verge of a monster fourth season.
OLB David Ojabo
Ojabo is in position to be one of the Ravens' top pass rushers, and he's showing a variety of different moves to get to the quarterback.
OLB Odafe Oweh
Oweh has been strong against the run and pass. He's working on his power moves this offseason, and his added muscle is paying off.
LB Del'Shawn Phillips
Phillips had two interceptions in 7-on-7 work and a forced fumble in the first week of training camp. Previously used almost exclusively on special teams, Phillips is making a case for defensive snaps.
ILB Patrick Queen
Queen has been a menace on the field and set the tone with a tackle that planted rookie running back Keaton Mitchell in the turf. Entering a contract year, Queen has had a locked-in focus and is playing like a man on a mission.
OLB Tavius Robinson
The rookie fourth-round pick is a physical presence on the edge who never stops running to the ball. Robinson has received a lot of work against the first-team offense and held his own.
CB Kevon Seymour
The veteran cornerback has broken up numerous passes, showing he can be more than a special teams standout. The Ravens have a cornerback depth issue, making Seymour's emergence even more important.
ILB Roquan Smith
Smith sent a message in practice this week with a few pad-popping hits. The leader in the middle of Baltimore's defense looks like he's also improved in coverage, something he said he focused on this offseason.
S Marcus Williams
Williams is another tone-setter on the back end of the defense and he practices with a lot of intensity. He had a pair of interceptions in last Saturday's practice, reminding teammates that any mistakes by the quarterback will be capitalized on.
8. Here's my take on the 23-game preseason winning streak. It shows how well the Ravens draft and develop all players, not just the starters. Baltimore's reserves routinely beat the other team's backups. Also, Harbaugh's training camp is smart, but no cakewalk. Lastly, the Ravens play to win, as they should.
The Ravens won a record 24 straight preseason games, dating back to 2016. Take a look back at the key players and moments along the way.
Aug. 11, 2016 – Ravens 22, Panthers 19
Baltimore product Terrance West ran for two touchdowns. Josh Johnson, who is now in his third stint with the Ravens, went 8-of-11 for 83 yards. Ryan Mallett threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to Javorius Allen for the go-ahead score.
Aug. 20, 2016 – Ravens 19, Colts 18
With three minutes and 54 seconds left, the Colts scored a touchdown to take a one-point lead. Instead of kicking an extra point, they went for a two-point conversion. Anthony Levine Sr. intercepted the pass and returned it the length of the field to give Baltimore two points and the win. Pat McAfee's 62-yard field goal attempt at the buzzer came up short.
Aug. 27, 2016 – Ravens 30, Lions 9
Joe Flacco played in his first game back from a season-ending knee injury the year before, but the Ravens lost Benjamin Watson to a season-ending Achilles injury on the first play.
Sept. 1, 2016 – Ravens 23, Saints 14
Undrafted rookie Michael Pierce put the Ravens on top in the second quarter when he clobbered Saints quarterback Luke McCown on the goal line to cause a fumble, then recovered it himself for a touchdown. That helped earn Pierce a roster spot in the final preseason game and he went on to become one of the league's premier nose tackles.
Aug. 10, 2017 – Ravens 23, Redskins 3
After Ryan Mallett threw for just 58 yards in the first half, Josh Woodrum entered and went 4-for-4 for 85 yards, including a 33-yard touchdown pass to Tim White.
Aug. 17, 2017 – Ravens 31, Dolphins 7
Josh Woodrum starred again, opening up a big Ravens lead in the second half with a 14-yard touchdown run and 1-yard touchdown run. He was 8-of-10 passing for 110 yards.
Aug. 26, 2017 – Ravens 13, Bills 9
Taquan Mizzell scored on a 15-yard touchdown pass from Josh Woodrum late in the third quarter to put the Ravens on top. Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor, a former Raven, exited the game in the first quarter with a concussion after being sacked by Matthew Judon.
Aug. 31, 2017 – Ravens 14, Saints 13
After missing two of the Ravens' first three preseason games, rookie first-round pick Marlon Humphrey starred with a forced fumble, pass breakup, and four tackles.
Aug. 2, 2018 – Ravens 17, Bears 16
In the Hall of Fame game, with Ray Lewis set to be enshrined in Canton, rookie Lamar Jackson threw his first NFL touchdown pass with an 8-yard score to fellow first-round pick tight end Hayden Hurst. The Ravens denied the Bears' two-point conversion attempt to win the game with 2:44 left.
Aug. 9, 2018 – Ravens 33, Rams 7
Joe Flacco threw a touchdown to Patrick Ricard in his only series, then Lamar Jackson ran for a 9-yard touchdown later in the first quarter to start the rout.
Aug. 20, 2018 – Ravens 20, Colts 19
The Ravens ruined Andrew Luck's homecoming in his first home start since Jan 1, 2017. Anthony Levine Sr. intercepted Luck before his first completion and Terrell Suggs nearly caused a fumble. The Colts blocked a late fourth-quarter punt and scored a touchdown to pull to one point down, but Baltimore's defense stuffed a two-point conversion run with 2:24 left to preserve the win.
Aug. 25, 2018 – Ravens 27, Dolphins 10
Undrafted rookie running back DeLance Turner ripped off an untouched 65-yard touchdown in the third quarter to tie the game. Then Lamar Jackson put the game away with a 19-yard touchdown run and 21-yard touchdown pass to DeVier Posey.
Aug. 30, 2018 – Ravens 30, Redskins 20
Lamar Jackson played the first half and led three scoring drives, including one that he capped with a 1-yard touchdown run. Rookie tight end Mark Andrews led the Ravens in receiving with three catches for 61 yards. Safety Kai Nacua returned an interception 23 yards for a touchdown.
Aug. 8, 2019 – Ravens 29, Jaguars 0
Linebacker Kenny Young destroyed Jaguars quarterback Gardner Minshew with a hit that sent his helmet flying. Kicker Kaare Vedvik, who had starred the previous preseason, made four field goals, including a 55-yarder, and was soon traded to the Vikings for a fifth-round pick that eventually became Broderick Washington. Young was part of the trade package later that season that netted cornerback Marcus Peters.
Aug. 15, 2019 – Ravens 26, Packers 13
Perhaps it was a preview of Jackson's record-breaking 2019 MVP season when he hurdled Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander for a touchdown. The score was erased by a penalty, but it didn't matter. In his first full year as the starter, Jackson showed how electric he was going to be.
Aug. 22, 2019 – Ravens 26, Eagles 15
Rookie sixth-round quarterback Trace McSorley went 19-of-28 for 203 yards and two touchdowns, one to Michael Floyd and another to Jaleel Scott. A rushing score gave McSorley three touchdowns in the first half alone and helped to cement his spot as the team's No. 3 signal caller.
Aug. 29, 2019 – Ravens 20, Washington Football Team 7
Jaleel Scott hauled in six passes for 87 yards and a touchdown and Trace McSorley was effective again, going 15-of-27 for 171 yards and one touchdown.
Aug. 14, 2021 – Ravens 17, Saints 14
Tyler Huntley scored on a 7-yard touchdown run with 6:35 remaining in the fourth quarter to rally the Ravens to a win after they trailed since early in the second quarter.
Aug. 21, 2021 – Ravens 20, Panthers 3
Tyler Huntley went 24-of-34 for 187 yards and an interception, and rookie running backs Nate McCrary and Ty'Son Williams each ran for touchdowns.
Aug. 28, 2021 – Ravens 37, Washington Football Team 3
The Ravens made history with their 20th straight preseason win, but it came at a severe cost with running back J.K. Dobbins lost for the season with a major knee injury suffered early in the game. Huntley threw four touchdowns, but it was a somber night.
Aug. 11, 2022 – Ravens 23, Titans 10
Tyler Huntley went 16-of-18 for 110 yards in the first half and threw a 14-yard touchdown to wide receiver Shemar Bridges, a practice standout who had a magical first NFL game. The nephew of former Ravens training camp tryout Damian Swain a fellow wide receiver who never caught on, Bridges caught four passes for 62 yards.
Aug. 21, 2022 – Ravens 24, Cardinals 17
Rookie tight end Isaiah Likely dominated with eight receptions for 100 yards and a touchdown. The Ravens (Kyle Fuller and Pepe Williams) intercepted former Ravens quarterback and preseason standout Trace McSorley twice.
Aug. 27, 2022 – Ravens 17, Commanders 15
Playing just four days after being signed, wide receiver Demarcus Robinson scored a 67-yard touchdown on a double move and hauled in four passes for 135 yards. Undrafted rookie quarterback Anthony Brown threw for 256 yards.
Aug. 12, 2023 – Ravens 20, Eagles 19
After trailing at halftime, Tyler Huntley rallied the offense and Tylan Wallace put Baltimore back on top with a nifty back-shoulder touchdown catch in the third quarter. Defensive back Ar'Darius Washington preserved the win by intercepting a two-point conversion pass with seven minutes remaining in the game.
9. Part of me wants to see Zay Flowers play in the preseason opener, just because he's so fun to watch. Plus, there's some unquantifiable value to getting game reps before the real thing. The other part of me thinks he's too valuable to risk getting injured. It's a tough call.
10. For those who point to Kansas City as the model, Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs' starters are playing the first quarter of their preseason opener. You absolutely will not see that in Baltimore, as Harbaugh was already trending the opposite direction before J.K. Dobbins' 2021 injury sealed it.
11. Yesterday marked four years since Eric DeCosta traded Kaare Vedvik to Minnesota for a fifth-round pick. That picked turned out to be Washington, who signed a three-year contract extension this week. The Ravens turned an undrafted kicker who had no shot of making the team into a defensive building block.
12. The latest episode of "Wired" is a must-watch. Marlon Humphrey is a central character and we saw even more of what makes him unique. "Marlo" dishes out and receives his share of jokes and jabs with teammates, but he's super serious about his job. He's a fascinating leader.
