Baltimore Ravens Roster candidates have less than a week to make a final impression. Baltimore must cut its roster from 91 to 53 players by Aug. 27 at 4 p.m.
There will be a lot of talk this week about all the jobs that are at stake as the Ravens prepare to practice at their Under Armour Performance Center on Monday and Tuesday, fly to Green Bay on Wednesday to participate in joint drills with the team. PACKERS on Thursday and then play their preseason finale at Lambeau Field on Saturday.
The reality, however, is that most of the team’s decisions have already been made following the evaluation process that began in mid-April, when players reported to the team facility for the start of the offseason workout program. However, there are probably a few more difficult decisions for the team’s decision-makers to make.
Cutdown day is fast approaching, so it’s time for another stock report. Whose stocks are up and whose are down heading into the final week of the preseason schedule?
accumulate
kyle hamiltonS
Hamilton probably doesn’t make this list, as his stock is already so high. However, his week is worthy of mention. He collapsed in a heap at last Sunday’s practice, a sight that stunned his teammates and coaches as well as the nearly 1,000 fans in attendance. He eventually limped back to the facility. A day later, he was able to get on the field for a workout with a member of the athletic training staff. The day after that, he was a full participant in practice, punctuating his return by making a play on a deep ball Ze Flower. Then, the day after, Hamilton set the tone for the group by throwing running back Justice Hill And owen wright Hamilton has been in midseason form all summer.
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Lamar Jackson’s chemistry with TE Isaiah Likely continues to grow
Qadir IsmailThe
Ismail is playing the position the Ravens were drafted at heading into training camp Mark Andrews, Isaiah possibly, Charlie Kolar And Patrick Ricard Everyone is coming back. That doesn’t diminish what the undrafted free agent out of Samford has accomplished this summer, switching to tight end about a month ago. It was always going to be a feel-good story for Qadir to sign with the team his father, Qadry Ismail, played for and helped lead to the Super Bowl. However, Qadir has accomplished more than that by improving quickly and capitalizing on every opportunity. Coaches and teammates also praise his character. At the very least, there should be a spot for him on the practice squad. He’s earned it.
TD @qadir_ismaiI pic.twitter.com/y7usqeLvnF
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 15, 2024
Anthony MillerWR
Miller, who was signed a week ago, initially looked like just another fresh and healthy player to carry the Ravens in the preseason. However, he has immediately made an impression with his speed. He has made a couple of plays in almost every Ravens practice and has had receptions on three consecutive plays. Atlanta FalconsHas he done enough work to pass? Tylan Wallace On the depth chart? Probably not, but a second-round pick Chicago Bears At least it’s done enough work to be included this late in the game.
David OjaboOLB
The 2022 second-round pick wasn’t credited with a sack or tackle against the Falcons. Still, he took a much-needed step forward by winning some of his pass rush reps, playing sharply instead of erratic and looking healthy and engaged. The performance in the game came after a few days of practice for the former Michigan standout. Yes, this is only a small sample size and it’s important not to overdo it. However, Ojabo was a player who desperately needed positive momentum and he created some last week.
Return of young defensive players
If there was any ambiguity as to whether the third year Professor Ar’Darius Washington A spot on the season-opening roster, he may have erased it all with a strong camp and preseason. Third-year corner Jaelin Armour-Davis And Damarion Williams has stayed healthy and played and practiced well. Armour-Davis’ roster spot seems assured, and Williams could benefit from a knee injury Arthur Moullet. Not long ago, it seemed like there wouldn’t be room on the team for Washington, Armour-Davis and Williams. There’s still work to be done, especially for Williams. However, so far, they’ve done their job.
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The Ravens say they have confidence in their young offensive linemen. They better be right
Roger RosengartenRT
Rosengarten played in the third quarter of the second preseason game and handled himself well. It wasn’t a perfect performance by any means, but you can see what the Ravens liked about him in the draft and believed would allow him to become a plug-and-play starter at right tackle. He plays with tenacity, athleticism, and awareness. Over the past week, he took advantage of the frontline reps and took a significant step toward winning the starting right tackle job. There may be some inevitable struggles in the first year, but Rosengarten should get even better as he gains more experience and gets stronger.
honorable mention: Bump Cooper Jr.CB; Josh JohnsonQB; Trenton SimpsonILB; Dayton WadeWR
John Harbaugh — who is in his 17th season with the Ravens — still has to make a decision on the roster with one preseason game remaining. (Tommy Gilligan / USA Today)
Stock: Down
Rasheen AliRB
The fifth-round rookie got off to a quiet start in training camp, struggled in short-yardage situations in the preseason opener and suffered what coach John Harbaugh called a stinger. He hasn’t been on the field since and didn’t play against the Falcons on Saturday. Meanwhile, his top competitor for the No. 3 running back role (Wright) caught a touchdown pass. If the decision is based solely on practice and game performance over the past four weeks, Ali has a lot of ground to make up over Wright this week. We all know, though, other things are factors. Ali has to get back on the field first. His second order of business will be to prove he’s worthy of a roster spot. The Ravens have cut or traded fifth-round rookies in two of the past three years, so nothing is guaranteed for Ali.
Leg-hair painOL
Not only did Aumave-Laulu never try out for a starting guard job, but he doesn’t seem to even be able to secure a reserve spot on the 53-man roster. The 2023 sixth-round pick seems to be one of the legitimate “bubble” guys going into the final week before roster cuts. What’s in his favor is that the Ravens may have two available offensive line spots and not a lot of competition to fill them. But Aumave-Laulu’s usage at tackle in the second half of the second preseason game could be a sign that the Ravens are still trying to figure out where he fits best.
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Ravens confident in their edge rush options despite slow start to training camp
Reserve Inside Linebackers
Malik Harrison He’s been in good form this summer, but given the team’s external issues, it might be more important for him to play in the same position. Josh Ross He has been relatively quiet in camp and didn’t play against the Falcons due to an undisclosed injury. Chris Board Missed the entire game last week because of an injury suffered in the preseason opener. ywandy rigby And Dion Jennings There hasn’t been much traction gained for roster spots. Depth behind starters Roquan Smith and Simpson has suddenly become a question.
Russell GageWR
The Ravens signed the 28-year-old midway through training camp to give the veteran a chance to prove he’s recovered from a serious knee injury that caused him to miss the 2023 season. Gage jumped right in and made it to the end zone during his first practice. Soon after, he suffered an undisclosed injury, and has only been seen on the sidelines working with an athletic trainer since. Time is running out for him to get healthy and prove he belongs on the 53-man roster.
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Undrafted Rookie Class
There are a few exceptions. Ishmael has practised really well. Wade has performed brilliantly. Cooper has come on board recently. Emory Jones There will always be a touchdown throw against the Falcons. Still, the Ravens enter the final week before roster cuts without any clear options to add an undrafted rookie to the team. It used to be a formality that the Ravens would find 53-man roster space for an undrafted free agent. They take great pride in that. However, this is shaping up to be a year when their free-agent rookie class won’t be represented on the 53-man roster in early September.
Devontez WalkerWR
Walker played just six offensive snaps against the Falcons, and Harbaugh said afterward that he was still dealing with a rib injury. It’s been a tough training camp for the fourth-round rookie. He didn’t get much of a chance in practice, he got very few chances in games, and he’s been dealing with physical issues. It seems very unlikely that the Ravens won’t select a fourth-round rookie. However, Walker doesn’t have time to prove he deserves a game day role for the Ravens early in the season. If this rib issue persists, injured reserve could be the way to go, allowing the Ravens to keep another veteran receiver like Miller, Gage or the like. Keith Kirkwood On the 53-man roster.
(Top photo of Ar’Darius Washington: Scott Teutsch/Getty Images)