The Baltimore Ravens are settling their 53-man roster as I type this. They’ve already made a few obvious cuts but as they trim the roster down more, they’ll have some tougher decisions to make. With such a deep roster, no player should feel very safe right now.
Every year in the NFL there are a number of shocking cuts at this time. Players who looked like they were clearly going to make the team are suddenly unemployed. Fans are outraged and players are saddened, but this is the life of an NFL player and Baltimore is not immune to those types of decisions.
These five players are likely going to make the Ravens’ 53-man roster but are far from locks. They’d be the most shocking cuts of this offseason.
DT, Willie Henry
Henry looked to be a lock to make Baltimore’s 53-man roster but by playing all 60 minutes against the Washington Redskins on Thursday, his spot on the team is more tenuous than anyone would have thought.
Though he was widely considered a breakout candidate this season, Henry hasn’t had a very good summer. Coach John Harbaugh gave a curt response to Henry playing all of the last preseason game that sums up his offseason.
While the Ravens need the depth on the defensive line, Henry’s lackluster play might have him on the outs in favor of guys like Patrick Ricard and Daylon Mack.
WR, Jaleel Scott
Scott did all anyone could have asked of him this preseason. He led the team in all receiving categories with 11 receptions for 146 yards and two touchdowns. He even won our Player of the Game award against the Redskins for dominating the field all game long and really helped his case for making the Ravens’ 53-man roster.
But with most of the wide receiver depth chart already set, it’s a numbers game now. Marquise Brown, Willie Snead, Miles Boykin, Chris Moore and Seth Roberts all seem like locks and with more depth needed elsewhere, Baltimore might only keep five wide receivers this year. Though Scott should have that No. 6 spot firmly locked up, that might just not be enough.
OLB, Tim Williams
Williams was challenged this offseason to step up with the direct insinuation that his job was on the line. Even though he did show improvement over his last two seasons, it might not be enough to secure a roster spot.
The Ravens have shown less patience with players taking time to develop, trading offensive linemen Jermaine Eluemunor and Alex Lewis and outright cutting wide receiver Jordan Lasley this offseason. With the way Pernell McPhee stepped into the starting role, Jaylon Ferguson being drafted and how Tyus Bowser stepped his game up, Williams might be the odd man out in Baltimore.
CB, Cyrus Jones
The fact the Ravens put their first-round draft pick, who just came back from injury, on the field for two punt returns might say a lot about Jones’ status with the team. The only reason to risk a high-profile player like that is if you’re contemplating not keeping the guy currently in the starting role, which would be Jones.
Baltimore has put a number of players back at punt returner this offseason. From rookies Justice Hill, Trace McSorley and Brown to Snead and Tyler Ervin. Though Jones clearly did the best of all of them and offers extra value as a slot cornerback too, it might not have been enough to cement himself there.
S, Chuck Clark
Clark wasn’t even on my radar for cuts. He offers so much versatility, being able to play both free safety and strong safety, while also being an asset on special teams. But with four other safeties pretty well locked onto the Ravens’ 53-man roster, Clark needed to show up this preseason.
Against the Redskins, Clark was regularly a part of the secondary that was targeted for big gains, alongside cornerback Maurice Canady. As a sixth-round pick entering his third year, Clark isn’t afforded much flexibility or benefit of the doubt. Though it’s hard to see him getting cut considering his versatility, the Ravens might want to add more depth elsewhere in favor of getting rid of their fifth safety.
