Mink: I think it's possible that the Ravens keep multiple undrafted rookies on the 53-man roster, which would have been unfathomable several months ago, considering how loaded this team is and that the Ravens have an 11-man drafted class.
However, injuries to drafted rookies and the strong play of some undrafted rookies have changed the calculus. Three draft picks (Emery Jones Jr., Bilhal Kone, and Robert Longerbeam) won't be on the initial 53-man roster due to injuries.
I believe Reuben Lowery has a good chance to make the team because of his versatility to play safety or cornerback, smarts, and because he just keeps making plays in practice and games. He showed good instincts to make a leaping interception in Dallas. Lowery could fill Ar'Darius Washington's void while he rehabs his Achilles.
Linebacker Jay Higgins IV has also thrust himself into serious consideration because of how he's practiced and played in games. He had an interception in the first preseason game and a pass breakup that sealed the win. In Dallas, Higgins had a fourth-quarter sack-strip. Keeping five inside linebackers would take away from another spot, but the Ravens carried five linebackers (Roquan Smith, Trenton Simpson, Malik Harrison, Chris Board, and Kristian Welch) down the stretch last year, so it's not inconceivable.
Head Coach John Harbaugh was complimentary of undrafted cornerback Keyon Martin, who notched a safety in Dallas, and said, "he is making a run at this thing." It's tough to see Lowery and Martin making the 53-man roster, but it somewhat depends on how the Ravens feel about their cornerback depth, given some camp injuries in that room.
I expect that a fair number of undrafted rookies will land on the Ravens' practice squad and continue to develop.
Brown: The Ravens do have a wealth of talent, so yes, they could lose some players they'd like to keep after rosters are trimmed to 53 players on Tuesday.
However, Baltimore will look to sign many players who don't make the initial roster to their practice squad, which can carry a maximum of 16 players.
"Guys are competing to be on the practice squad, because the practice squad is part of our team," Harbaugh said. "We look at that as making the team, so all those opportunities are there for guys."
Current Ravens who were on the practice squad last year include wide receivers Malik Cunningham, Keith Kirkwood, Anthony Miller, and Dayton Wade; offensive lineman Darrian Dalcourt, quarterback Devin Leary, and defensive lineman C.J. Ravenell. They could all draw interest elsewhere, but Baltimore will look to re-sign many, if not all, to the practice if they don't make the initial 53.
Corey Bullock was on the practice squad last year, but he has started both preseason games and could make the 53 as the backup center to Tyler Linderbaum. Lowery has been a playmaker all summer. The Ravens would surely want to have Bullock and Lowery on the practice squad if they're not on the 53.
Other talented players who appear on the roster bubble include running back Rasheen Ali, safety Beau Brade, offensive linemen Garrett Dellinger and Nick Samac, inside linebacker Jay Higgins IV, outside linebacker David Ojabo, and defensive linemen Brent Urban and C.J. Okoye. I expect most to remain in Baltimore, either via the roster or the practice squad, but players who don't make the 53 will have the right to explore other options.
Mink: Jaire Alexander reportedly had arthroscopic knee surgery on Dec. 31 to repair a PCL injury, which limited him to seven games last season. It's something that he's been managing this offseason. Alexander reportedly had his knee drained in late July, and he's been missing from practice since Aug. 9.
"He had something, just kind of take care of that knee," Harbaugh said Monday. "You do some things to kind of help it from a health standpoint. It's something he's been dealing with for a few years now. It's not anything we didn't expect, probably. Might have been something to help. You've got to take a couple days after you do that before you can practice."
It sounds like Alexander is just going through maintenance as he and the Ravens try to get him in the best position for the regular season. Considering what I've seen from Alexander in practice, I have no concern about his ability to play at a high level in this defense once the games are for real. While practice is, of course good for every player, getting Alexander as healthy as possible and ready for the rigors of the season is the top priority because the hope is that his knee holds up for a full season.
Brown: The expectation for Jordan Stout is that 2025 will be his best season.
Stout is a hard worker who takes pride in his craft, and Senior Special Teams Coach Randy Brown liked what he saw Saturday night against the Dallas Cowboys. Stout averaged 56 yards per punt with excellent hang time, he placed the ball where he wanted, and the Cowboys averaged just one yard per punt return.
"When you look at his three directional punts – he put every ball outside the numbers, and I'm really proud of him and where his growth is, too," Brown said.
Stout is only 27 years old and has one of the NFL's strongest legs. He was the first punter selected in the 2022 draft (fourth round, 130th overall). Only one punter was drafted higher since Stout entered the league.
Clearly, the Ravens believe Stout has the talent to be an elite punter for many years, and he's only had one kick blocked in three seasons. I think what the Ravens expect most from him is to become more consistent. Last season, Stout ranked 19th in net yards per punt (41.2), 22nd in punts inside the 20-yard line (40.0%), and 26th in punting average (46.4 yards). Along with his booming kicks, there were others he wanted to have back.
However, in addition to his punting, Stout is one of the league's best holders – an important asset for rookie kicker Tyler Loop. Entering his fourth season, Stout is an important member of the Ravens' special teams unit, which looks sharp with Week 1 fast approaching.
