OWINGS MILLS — Ravens coach John Harbaugh will begin to finalize his final 53-man roster and name the starters for the opener at Kansas City on September 5th.
Here’s a look at the potential final roster:
OFFENSE
Quarterbacks: Lamar Jackson, Josh Johnson
Analysis: Jackson is a two-time MVP and the Ravens will go as far as he takes them. Entering his second year with offensive coordinator Todd Monken, Jackson should be more comfortable with the schemes and game plans. There were questions about the 38-year-old Johnson entering training camp, but he played well enough in the preseason games to earn the backup job. Rookie sixth-round pick Devin Leary sealed his fate of not making the roster after going 6-for-13 for 34 yards with two interceptions in the final preseason game against the Packers. Leary could still make the practice squad.
Running backs/fullback: Derrick Henry, Justice Hill, available free agent, fullback Patrick Ricard
Analysis: The Ravens signed Henry to a two-year, $16 million contract worth up to $20 million in March. The four-time Pro Bowler is expected to boost a running attack that ranked No. 1 in the NFL. Henry turned 30 on January 4th but is still a dominant player. Hill will be the main backup until Keaton Mitchell returns from knee surgery. Ali, a rookie fifth-round pick, missed the final two preseason games with a stinger. Owen Wright might have made the team as the third running back, but he broke his foot against the Packers. The Ravens will likely search the waiver wire to add a third player.
Wide receivers: Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, Nelson Agholor, Devontez Walker, Tylan Wallace and Deonte Harty
Analysis: Flowers led the team with 77 receptions for 858 yards and five touchdowns as a rookie. He is expected to make more strides this season as he becomes more comfortable with the speed of the NFL. The pressure is on Bateman, a former first-round pick who finished fifth on the team with 32 receptions for 367 yards and a touchdown last season. Wallace was the best wideout in the preseason and earned more playing time. Harty will make the team as the starting returner. Walker has been underwhelming, but the Ravens are not going to give up on the rookie fourth-round pick.
Tight ends: Mark Andrews, Isaiah Likely, Charlie Kolar,
Analysis: Because of their size, the Ravens’ offense should have versatility with three tight ends capable of making plays downfield and creating matchup problems. Andrews has established himself as one of the top playmakers in the NFL. Despite missing six games with a fractured fibula and ligament damage in his left ankle, Andrews still ranked second on the team with 45 receptions for 544 yards and six touchdowns, the best among the receivers. Likely could have a big year, and Kolar also will have a bigger role if he can become a consistent blocker. Harbaugh expects all three tight ends to play key roles in the offense.
Offensive line: Tackle Ronnie Stanley, center Tyler Linderbaum, tackle/guard, Daniel Faalele, tackle Roger Rosengarten, tackle/guard Patrick Mekari, guard Andrew Vorhees, guard Ben Cleveland, tackle/guard Josh Jones, tackle/guard Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu and guard Tashawn Manning
Analysis: The Ravens’ offensive line has been a work in progress throughout training camp because the team has to replace three starters from last season. Stanley and Linderbaum are the only returning starters from 2023-24. The Ravens’ starting offensive line consists of Stanley, Vorhees, Linderbaum, Faalele and Rosengarten. Cleveland is still in the mix to start at center if Linderbaum is sidelined with a neck injury. However, Harbaugh is confident Linderbaum will be ready to play against Kansas City. Samac, a rookie seventh-round pick, had to be carted off the field with an injury so he might be headed to injured reserve, which opened a spot for Manning.
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) passes the ball to Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice (4) as Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith (0) defends in the AFC Championship football game at M&T Bank Stadium. By Geoff Burke-USA Today Sports
DEFENSE
Outside linebackers: Odafe Oweh, Kyle Van Noy, Tavius Robinson, David Ojabo, Adisa Isaac
Analysis: The Ravens received solid production last season from their outside linebackers, who kept the pressure on opposing quarterbacks. The team wants to keep that momentum with new defensive coordinator Zachary Orr. After producing a career-high nine sacks last year, Van Noy re-signed with the team. The addition of Van Noy takes some of the sting out of losing fellow outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney, who signed a free-agent contract with the Carolina Panthers. The Ravens need Ojabo to take the next step in his career after being hampered by injuries over the past two seasons. Robinson, who appeared in 17 games last season, could be an important player after having a solid training camp.
Inside linebacker: Roquan Smith, Trenton Simpson, Malik Harrison, and Chris Board
Analysis: Smith led the Ravens with 158 tackles last season. He also had five tackles for a loss, five quarterback hits and an interception. He earned his second Pro Bowl nod. Simpson was behind Patrick Queen on the depth chart last season, but he will move into the starting lineup. So far, he has looked fast and strong in the offseason workouts and throughout training camp. Harrison and Board provide solid depth.
Defensive line: Justin Madubuike, Michael Pierce, Travis Jones, Broderick Washington and Brent Urban
Analysis: The Ravens will be stout again on the defensive line. Madubuike started all 17 games, producing career highs in tackles (56), sacks (13), tackles for loss (12), quarterback hits (33), and forced fumbles (2), to earn his first Pro Bowl honors and second-team All-Pro selection. Washington is poised for a strong year and is having a productive offseason. Jones is a solid run-stopper, and Urban provides valuable depth.
Cornerbacks: Marlon Humphrey, Brandon Stephens, Nate Wiggins, Jalyn Armour-Davis, “Pepe” Williams, T.J. Tampa
Analysis: The Ravens should be able to contain most teams with the talent at cornerback. Stephens has established himself as one of the top defensive backs in the NFL and is a physical player. Wiggins, the team’s first-round pick this year, looks ready to make an impact as a rookie. The rookie Tampa should be healthy after hernia surgery and also will be in the rotation. The wild card is Humphrey, who needs to stay on the field after battling various injuries last year. Humphrey has looked good during training camp. Veteran Arthur Maulet will likely start the season on injured reserve, but he will be back in the lineup this season.
Safeties: Kyle Hamilton, Marcus Williams, Eddie Jackson, Ar’Darius Washington and Beau Brade
Analysis: The Ravens added another key player to their talented secondary, signing Jackson, a two-time Pro Bowler. Jackson has 459 total tackles, 355 solo stops, 14 tackles for a loss, 44 pass breakups, 15 interceptions, and 10 forced fumbles in his seven-year career. Jackson joins a loaded Ravens secondary led by Hamilton, who was named an All-Pro in his second year in the NFL. The addition of Jackson is also insurance for Williams, who has missed 13 regular-season games because of various injuries. Kane, a rookie seventh-round pick, is likely headed to the practice squad with Brade slightly outplaying him in the preseason.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Specialists: Kicker Justin Tucker, punter Jordan Stout, long-snapper Nick Moore
Analysis: Tucker has 22 game-winning or go-ahead field goals in the final two minutes of regulation or overtime, and has converted 90.2 percent of his attempts (395 of 438) since joining the team in 2012. He is regarded as one of the best kickers in the game. That’s why the Ravens are confident they can adapt to the new kickoff rules. Stout had a solid second season after an uneven rookie year. Fans rarely hear Moore’s name and that is a good thing for a long-snapper.
