The Baltimore Ravens have been one of the better teams at finding talent following the NFL draft. The Ravens have seen a UDFA make the final 53-man roster for the last 15 consecutive years. Not only have undrafted players made the roster, but many have gone on to make major impacts.
Bart Scott, Patrick Onwuasor, Priest Holmes and Justin Tucker are just the tip of the iceberg for Baltimore over the years. With a whole new crop of UDFAs signed to the 90-man roster, these four have the best chance to make the final 53-man roster.
DT Gerald Willis
Willis had a pretty solid third-round grade on him from most draft analysts. It was a shock when he went undrafted, even in spite of his off-field issues. A fight with the son of former offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg as well as maturity concerns plagued Willis into the draft.
Though Willis enters one of the Ravens’ deepest position groups, he’ll have a chance to not only make the roster but provide a major impact as a rookie. He showed flashes of brilliance in 2018, often getting into the backfield. But he’ll have to improve on his technique and his effort level to consistently play at that level in the NFL.
OLB Markus Jones
Jones was incredibly productive in his three years at Angelo State. Jones won the Gene Upshaw Award in 2018 as the best Division II defensive lineman after posting up 84 tackles, including 36.5 for loss and 17.5 sacks. His 31.5 total sacks over three seasons is a massive accomplishment regardless of the level of competition he faced.
With the Ravens selecting only Jaylon Ferguson at linebacker in the 2019 NFL draft, Baltimore is beyond thin at outside linebacker. Jones should have a real shot at making the 53-man roster.
WR Jaylen Smith
Smith doesn’t do any one thing exceptionally well. But he has the size, speed and chemistry as Lamar Jackson’s former top option to potentially make the cut.
Smith will need to work on his drops, polish his route running and show versatility to play both inside and outside to make that happen. Since Smith’s best seasons at Louisville came with Jackson throwing him the ball, the hope is he returns to that form.
ILB Silas Stewart
The Ravens are thin at inside linebacker after the departure of C.J. Mosley in free agency. With no real experienced options behind expected starters Patrick Onwuasor and Kenny Young, it’s a prime chance for a UDFA like Stewart to take a roster spot.
Stewart is undersized but makes up for that with speed and coverage ability. He’d be the ideal developmental option in a coverage linebacker role and good backup to Young.
