OWINGS MILLS — The Ravens’ rookies reported to the Under Armour Performance Center over the weekend for training camp, along with quarterback Lamar Jackson, who arrived early for practice.
The first-year players will have a week to acclimate to life in the NFL before the veteran players report on Saturday, July 20th.
Jackson is showing his commitment to the 2024 season, when the Ravene are once again supposed to be Super Bowl contenders.
Several of the rookies are expected to make an impact in their first year, especially cornerback Nate Wiggins, the team’s first-round pick from Clemson.
“When you see him out here on the field, he’s got great length, and that’s the thing; it’s just hard to find corners that have that type of length and that can run like he runs,” Ravens secondary coach Doug Mallory said. “But he has great balance, body control, change of direction. He’s been real sticky in coverage, and there are certainly a lot of things … He’s just like everyone else; [there are] a lot of areas that they need to improve, but he certainly has good traits to work with.”
In addition to Wiggins, Roger Rosengarten, a second-round pick from the University of Washington, is expected to compete for the starting job at right tackle. At 6 feet 5, 308 pounds, Rosengarten has the size to make an immediate impact in the NFL. Daniel Faalele and Patrick Mekari could also earn the starting job at right tackle.
“It’s a great opportunity, for sure,” Rosengarten said about competing for a starting job. “I don’t try to focus on the end goal too much, but every day, like you said, [I’m] grinding in and out. I just want to play hard and compete with the best of the best, so I just come [here] every day ready to work and keep stacking days.”
Other rookies who will be pushing for significant playing time this season are outside linebacker Adisa Isaac (third round), wide receiver Devontez Walker (fourth round), cornerback T.J. Tampa (fourth round), and running back Rasheen Ali, Marshall (fifth round).
However, Tampa was placed on the PUP list, which means he can participate in team meetings and use team training and medical facilities, but he cannot practice. After six weeks, if the player is still injured or not completely able to play, they will be taken off the PUP list and placed on injured reserve on August 30th, 2023.
Isaac was placed on the non-football injury list.
Quarterback Devin Leary, a sixth-round pick from Kentucky, could get extensive playing time in the three preseason games. It will be a battle for Leary to make the final roster, but he could be a developmental player on the practice squad.
Center Nick Samac, a seventh-round pick from Michigan State, has an opportunity to make the team because the Ravens need depth on the offensive line.
Safety Sanoussi Kane, a seventh-round pick from Purdue, is battling Ar’Darius Washington for the job as the third safety. Kane can also help his chances if he can play on special teams.
Three undrafted rookies to watch are guard Darrian Dalcourt (Alabama). defensive end Joe Evans (Iowa), safety Beau Brade (Maryland), and running back Chris Colliern (Lock Haven).
In 19 of the past 20 years, the Ravens have had at least one undrafted free agent make their regular season-opening roster.
Running back Keaton Mitchell was also placed on the PUP list.
