Mink: Keaton Mitchell has been one of the biggest standouts at Ravens organized team activities. The acceleration, change of direction, and speed that we saw during his rookie season all seem to be back following his major knee injury. Mitchell told me his comeback is "going to be a movie for sure."
I'm a Mitchell believer. However, I'm also a Derrick Henry and Justice Hill believer. Henry will be the Ravens' bell cow again in his quest for another 2,000-yard rushing season (and role in an Adam Sandler movie). Hill is coming off his best season, in which he caught 42 passes, tied for the fourth most on the team with Isaiah Likely. Hill was a monster on third down, particularly in the Ravens' highly successful screen game last year. Thus, I don't believe there will be a change with the top two spots in the running back depth chart.
Assuming Henry and Hill are both healthy, I don't think there are many offensive snaps for Mitchell week-to-week. I would estimate he would average maybe five per game, perhaps to give Henry or Hill a breather and as a change-of-pace home run hitter. He could also be used as a gadget-type player on jet sweeps/end arounds. Mitchell is lightning in a bottle, so he could change a game even with limited snaps. If Henry or Hill were to miss any time, Mitchell would obviously be in prime position to make a much larger offensive impact.
What helps Mitchell is that I expect him to become the Ravens' primary kick returner, which gives him a spot on the active game day roster and puts him in position to rip off big plays. It wouldn't surprise me if Mitchell is in Pro Bowl contention as a returner this year.
Brown: The Ravens greatly value cornerbacks, and it would not be shocking if they pursued Alexander, a two-time Pro Bowler released Monday by the Green Bay Packers.
Alexander and Lamar Jackson were teammates at Louisville and were first-round picks in 2018. They attended the draft in Dallas that year, and Alexander celebrated enthusiastically after the Ravens selected Jackson.
Reuniting with Jackson on a Super Bowl contender could make Baltimore an attractive landing spot for Alexander. However, he has played just seven games in each of the last two seasons and has missed 34 games since the start of the 2021 campaign. His health, durability, and (as always) salary expectations will be key in this equation.
The Ravens have a talented cornerback room led by Marlon Humphrey, Nate Wiggins, and Chidobe Awuzie, who was signed during the offseason. They also have corners looking for a bigger role, including T.J. Tampa, Jalyn Armour-Davis, and sixth-round rookies Bilhal Kone and Robert Longerbeam. Baltimore may prefer to give a young corner on the roster a chance to blossom, and Alexander should have plenty of suitors, giving him options.
I can see why you're intrigued by Alexander becoming a free agent. Until he signs with another team, the speculation about his next destination will continue.
Mink: The undrafted rookie with the best chance at making the 53-man roster, in my opinion, is kicker John Hoyland. It's a battle between him and sixth-round pick Tyler Loop to replace Justin Tucker in Baltimore, and both rookie kickers have gotten off to a good start.
On Tuesday, Hoyland was 6-for-6 on field goals from 37, 47, 48, 48, 49, and 52 yards. Last Friday, Loop drilled all his kicks "right down the middle," according to Head Coach John Harbaugh, and hit a 60-yarder "easily."
Loop should be considered the favorite, as he was the Ravens' first choice (and first kicker they ever drafted). But Hoyland seems good enough to force Loop to win it, which is exactly what Ravens coaches want to see.
The rookies are building a case that the Ravens don't need to sign a veteran kicker to add more competition this summer, and it's a good sign for the future at a critical position.
Brown: Devontez Walker is the first name that comes to mind. I think he's been stacking solid days at OTAs running decisive routes. Walker looks ready to make a jump in Year 2 after playing just 57 offensive snaps as a rookie, with his only catch going for a 21-yard touchdown.
The challenge for Walker will be to earn consistent playing time behind the Ravens' top wideout trio of Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, and DeAndre Hopkins. If all remain healthy, there may be few opportunities for Walker to flash his improvement. However, if targeted more in 2025, Walker looks ready to produce.
Another wideout to watch is sixth-round rookie LaJohntay Wester, who has a good chance to become the primary punt returner. I'm interested to see if he gets open consistently during training camp and the preseason and shows his potential as a receiver after a strong college career in which he caught 326 passes.
