OWINGS MILLS — Coach John Harbaugh expects to have a clearer picture of his 53-man roster when the Ravens play the Philadelphia Eagles in the first preseason game on Friday.
“I think we’ll get a lot of questions answered in this game in terms of where everybody’s at at this time in a real game situation,” Harbaugh said. “Blocking, tackling, catching the ball, how we handle our assignments, things like that will be very interesting.”
The Ravens have a veteran-laden roster with numerous starters returning from last season, including quarterback Lamar Jackson, the tight ends, and the entire secondary.
Still, several players have an opportunity to make the roster if they play well in the preseason.
One of those players is Ar’Darius Washington who is looking to be in the rotation at safety with All-Pro Kyle Hamilton, Marcus Williams and newly signed Eddie Jackson. Washington also can play slot cornerback, so he can use that versatility to his advantage.
Rookie seventh-round pick Sanoussi Kane and the undrafted rookie from Maryland, Beau Brade, are trying to win backup roles at safety.
“The more you can do – competition is great, [and] it brings out the best in us and everything like that, but I feel like I’ve been doing [a] pretty good job; [I’m] still learning a little bit [and] flying around and making some plays,” Washington said. “I just keep it simple; just do my job. Every time I go out there and whatever opportunity I get, [I’m] just going out there and representing myself well and representing this team. The main thing for me is [to] just do my job.”
Jackson isn’t likely to play, so Josh Johnson and rookie Devin Leary will have the opportunity to showcase their skills for the backup role. Four-time Pro Bowl running back Derrick Henry will also watch from the sideline, so rookie fifth-round pick Rasheen Ali will get extended playing time in his first NFL game. Ali faces a challenge with second-year player Owen Wright to be the No. 3 running back behind Henry and Justice Hill.
The Ravens have to replace three starters on the offensive line.
One player vying for a spot is second-year player Andrew Vorhees at left guard. Daniel Faalele, who has mostly been used as a tackle, is battling to start at right guard. The versatile Patrick Mekari is listed as the starter at right tackle, ahead of rookie Roger Rosengarten. Faalele has impressed the coaches with his extended time at guard throughout training camp. His size also makes him a prime candidate to start.
Linderbaum is dealing with a minor injury and will not play. Guard Ben Cleveland has taken snaps at center this week at practice and could see reps against the Eagles.
“It is an open competition right now, and you have Patrick Mekari in that mix, too, obviously,” Harbaugh said about the job for a backup center. “To the question that was asked last week, it kind of goes to that. I’m confident that we’ve got guys that can do it and do it well, but we are going to want to hone in there in the next some period of time soon.”
The Ravens also will keep Stanley out of the game to make sure he does not get injured. That means the Ravens will be able to get an extended look at several other young players.
Harbaugh is also looking forward to seeing how the players respond against different competition.
“[It’s] very exciting,” Harbaugh said. “It gets to that point and time in camp where you really need to do that,” Harbaugh said. “It’s kind of part of the evolution – you have to take another step, you have to go tackle, you have to go play a game, you have to go feel and understand the tempo of a game, not a practice. So, we’re looking for it.”