The Baltimore Ravens have wrapped up a full week of training camp. As they’re set to take on the Jacksonville Jaguars for Week 1 of the preseason, they released their first official depth chart of the season.
Though the depth chart is put together by the public relations staff and should be taken with a grain of salt, there’s some truth to be had where players are placed. While I’ve picked out some quick winners and losers from the first depth chart, so much will likely change before the roster needs to be cut down to 53 players.
Winner: WR Seth Roberts
Roberts finds himself at the top of the depth chart, which might be a little surprising. Roberts was cut by the Oakland Raiders after not producing very much. Considering Baltimore has invested a great deal at wide receiver in recent years, seeing Roberts at the top of the chart is a good sign he’s been impressing early at training camp.
Loser: CB Brandon Carr
Carr has started every single game in his 11-year career. But for the first time, we could actually see Carr’s streak end after his placement behind Jimmy Smith. Though Carr has been moved around the secondary a good bit during training camp and should still see the field plenty this season, it’s a blow for a guy that has had one of the more consistent careers in the league.
Considering Carr was the better cornerback over Smith last season, this has to sting a little bit.
Winner: RB Kenneth Dixon
Before training camp even began, I pointed out how Dixon has an uphill battle to make Baltimore’s 53-man roster. Though I put him down as a loser through the first week of training camp, the first depth chart changes things a little bit. Though he still finds himself at third string, it’s higher up than I figured he’d be at this stage.
Considering the Ravens will keep only three or four running backs this season, Dixon has to keep himself in that third-string spot behind Mark Ingram and Gus Edwards. But if he can stay ahead of Justice Hill, he’ll likely find his way on the roster for Week 1.
Loser: G Ben Powers
Powers was placed at third string at left guard. It’s a big blow for a guy in the running for the starting job, but it’s an even bigger blow when you consider who is in front of him.
Alex Lewis is situated as the second-string left guard in spite of not having been cleared to practice yet. He’s still recovering from offseason shoulder surgery. Jermaine Eluemunor takes the top spot on the depth chart even though he failed his conditioning test initially and was expected to be a bubble player this offseason.
Of course, the final roster isn’t close to being set yet, and Powers can make a surge back. But being in the third spot can’t feel good.
Winner: LB Chris Board
It was expected Board would be fighting with Kenny Young for the starting linebacker role next to Patrick Onwuasor. However, Board has routinely been running with the first-team defense and now finds himself in the starting spot on the depth chart.
That’s a huge jump up for the former undrafted free agent as he follows in the footsteps of quite a few formerly undrafted linebackers on the Ravens defense. If he can keep up the good work throughout training camp and the preseason, he’ll almost assuredly be given that starting job.
Loser: CB Maurice Canady
Canady has a tough road to making this team. He’s managed to stick around for three years, though he’s found his way to injured reserve in every season. This is likely his last chance to actually make the 53-man roster, and that means staying healthy and outperforming other players to get there.
Considering Canady is in the fourth-string spot behind Marlon Humphrey, Tavon Young and Anthony Averett, that seems like an unlikely feat. Canady is undoubtedly fighting a few players for the final spot on the cornerback depth chart, and being at the bottom of the very first one isn’t the jumping-off point he was likely hoping for.
