Ravens’ initial 53-man roster features no surprises. But it’s fair to ask, what’s next?
Jeff Zrebiec, The Athletic
At running back, the Ravens will have plenty of options to choose from if they decide they are uncomfortable with Ali, who spent much of the preseason in concussion protocol, as the No. 3 back behind Derrick Henry and Justice Hill. Rookie fourth-round wide receiver Devontez Walker hasn’t looked like he’s ready to help the team immediately, and veteran Deonte Harty is more of a returner, so there are reasonable questions about the team’s wide receiver depth, too.
Along the offensive line, which will have at least two, if not three, new starters next week in Kansas City, there certainly appears to be room for upgrades — whether it’s at guard or even in the ninth and 10th spots, currently occupied by rookie seventh-round pick Nick Samac and Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu. Finding quality offensive line help at this time of year, though, is a challenge.
It feels like there are fewer holes defensively, although Baltimore is depending an awful lot on young, unproven edge rushers. The Ravens also could certainly use a veteran defensive lineman and a quality inside linebacker to stash on the practice squad.
Ravens Sign 15 Players to Practice Squad
Ryan Mink, BaltimoreRavens.com
WR Anthony Miller
Miller signed with the Ravens on Aug. 11 in the middle of training camp, then made a good impression in practice and the preseason. The former second-round pick of the Chicago Bears (2018) caught four passes for 25 yards on 30 offensive snaps this preseason. He provides experienced depth to the wide receiver corps along with the bigger-bodied Kirkwood, who is entering his seventh season.
WR Dayton Wade
The Ole Miss undrafted rookie flashed during training camp practices and led the Ravens in receiving in two of the three preseason games. He had a sweet double move to get open for a 56-yard touchdown in the second preseason game.
RB John Kelly
The sixth-year pro performed well in the preseason after signing with the Ravens midway through training camp. Kelly could be called into action for Week 1 in Kansas City if rookie No. 3 running back Rasheen Ali isn’t ready.
TE Qadir Ismail, son of Qadry Ismail, is among Ravens’ practice squad additions
Brian Wacker, The Baltimore Sun
Tight end Qadir Ismail, the son of former Baltimore wide receiver Qadry Ismail, was signed to the practice squad on Wednesday, a day after getting cut and then clearing waivers, a source with direct knowledge of the move confirmed to The Baltimore Sun. The undrafted free agent is one of what is expected to be 16 players who will make up the group.
“The thing that comes to mind is how I proud I am of him,” Qadry Ismail, who spent 10 years in the NFL with five teams and spent several years as the Ravens’ radio color commentator, told The Baltimore Sun. “Knowing the work that we put into it and then for him to get into camp and to have the type of camp that he had just shows his dedication to his craft and getting better. [I have] great appreciation for the Ravens as an organization and I’m very humble and grateful for it all.”
Also returning after being waived is rookie sixth-round draft pick quarterback Devin Leary, who despite struggling in the preseason and completing just 15 of 28 passes for 95 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions in three games, was re-signed. Viewed as a developmental prospect with a big arm and good athleticism, he is currently behind two-time NFL Most Valuable Player Lamar Jackson and 38-year-old veteran Josh Johnson on the depth chart.
2024 NFL triplets rankings: Eagles, 49ers boast top quarterback/running back/pass catcher combos
Gennaro Filice, NFL.com
RANK: 4
Quarterback: Lamar Jackson (Age: 27)
Running back: Derrick Henry (Age: 30)
Pass catcher: Zay Flowers (Age: 23)
Surprised this group doesn’t make the top three? Yeah, I hear ya. After all, the Ravens boast the reigning MVP under center, a future Hall of Famer at running back and an emerging star at wide receiver. So, what gives? Well, I’m a little worried about how those first two components fit together.
Over the past five seasons, Jackson and Henry have been two of the most dynamic — and unique — players in the NFL. So, naturally, there was plenty of fanfare when Henry signed with the Ravens in March. But here’s the thing: They’ve largely been operating in divergent offensive systems. Since his first full season as Baltimore’s starting quarterback in 2019, Jackson has primarily operated out of the shotgun. But over that same span, Henry took 69.4 percent of his snaps with a QB under center, per PFF. So, will the Ravens be able to find a happy medium that maximizes both players? Asked about this during a press conference this offseason, offensive coordinator Todd Monken didn’t seem all that concerned. It goes without saying that Monken has forgotten more about offensive strategy than I’ll ever know, but I still need to see this combo flourishing together before I fully buy in.
Dare to dream: 10 reasons the Ravens can win the Super Bowl
Jonas Shaffer, The Baltimore Banner
4. Their secondary is elite.
The Ravens ranked No. 1 in the NFL last season in pass defense efficiency, according to FTN. They had the league’s second-best coverage grade, according to PFF.
And now their secondary could be even better. Cornerback Marlon Humphrey, who missed seven games during an up-and-down, injury-plagued 2023, was maybe the team’s best player in camp. Cornerback Brandon Stephens, the team’s top outside cover man last season, will be playing for a potentially lucrative deal in the final year of his rookie contract. In the slot, cornerback Arthur Maulet and safety Ar’Darius Washington flashed playmaking ability in camp.
At safety, the Ravens have one of the NFL’s best young defensive players in Kyle Hamilton. The All-Pro was a star in the slot last year, but he’s a versatile enough weapon to win as a pass rusher, defend the run in the box and patrol center field as a deep-lying safety. Next to him is Marcus Williams, who played through a pectoral injury last year and, with good health, could recapture the form that made him one of the league’s highest-paid safeties upon his arrival in Baltimore two years ago.
If the secondary’s starting-level talent isn’t its greatest strength, the group’s depth is. Wiggins finished the preseason as the NFL’s third-highest-rated cornerback, according to PFF, and Harbaugh said he would be “counted on heavily this year.” First, he’ll have to beat out Jalyn Armour-Davis for playing time. The 2022 fourth-round pick, finally healthy after two trying seasons, was one of the standouts of camp.
Behind them, Eddie Jackson should step in capably for Geno Stone in the Ravens’ three-safety looks, and rookies Sanoussi Kane and Beau Brade are solid building blocks.