The Baltimore Ravens are heading into training camp in just over five weeks. While they currently have 91 players on the roster, they’ll have to begin sorting out which 53 they want to keep by the August 30 deadline.
We did a projection of the offense on Monday, now it’s time to figure out which defensive players are likely to make the cut. As with the offense, this is merely a prediction based on what Baltimore has typically done in the past and where the wealth of talent is at. Things can and will change during training camp and we’ll continue to provide predictions on the Ravens’ 53-man roster until it’s final.
DL (7):
Brandon Williams, Willie Henry, Michael Pierce, Chris Wormley, Gerald Willis, Zach Sieler, Daylon Mack
The main guys are all going to make the cut. Williams, Henry and Pierce are absolute locks on this roster. I don’t have Wormley on that side of things right now but with so few defensive ends on the current roster, it’s his job to lose at this stage.
Where things get interesting is with the young talent on the defensive line. I have a 2019 NFL draft pick and an undrafted rookie making the team with another young player who flashed a bit last year stepping up.
Willis continues Baltimore’s tradition of seeing an undrafted free agent make the 53-man roster. Mack is an absolute force in the center of the defensive line, helping keep the linebackers clean and should make the cut because of it. Sieler didn’t get a lot of playing time last year but made the roster on the back of positive performances at training camp and the preseason. I fully expect him to step up more this year and earn more playing time.
One player I don’t have on the roster is Patrick Ricard. Though Ricard plays fullback and on the defensive line, the Ravens have a few offensive players who can take on the fullback role. That’ll mean Ricard has to show up big time as a defensive lineman to keep a roster spot.
ILB (3):
Patrick Onwuasor, Chris Board, Kenny Young
You might be confused as to why I only have three inside linebackers when there are two starting positions on this defense. Partly, it’s because Baltimore simply doesn’t have a lot of inside linebackers on their roster right now. Secondly, it’s because they use defensive backs like Anthony Levine Sr. as a hybrid player depending on certain matchups and their packages.
But I expect all three players here to not only make the team but to see the field on a regular basis. Onwuasor is going to be expected to step into C.J. Mosley’s shoes after his departure to the New York Jets in free agency. Board and Young are competing for the other starting job but will likely be rotated around depending on the defensive packages being run at any given moment.
This is a position group that could use more depth. Whether it comes from another late free agent acquisition or Baltimore decides to keep on an undrafted rookie like Silas Stewart, it’s possible this unit finds at least one more player in exchange for less depth elsewhere.
OLB (4):
Matthew Judon, Pernell McPhee, Tim Williams, Jaylon Ferguson
Even if he doesn’t want to be considered the leader of this unit, Judon is the de facto top dog at outside linebacker. The Ravens also drafted Jaylon Ferguson, making him a lock for the 53-man roster. With the losses of Za’Darius Smith and Terrell Suggs this offseason, outside linebacker is one of the big question marks on an otherwise solid defense.
Baltimore tried to make up for the lack of depth by signing Ray and McPhee late in free agency. However, both have some red flags that saw them get passed over all offseason in spite of playing one of the more critical positions in the NFL. Barring Ray really showing up and impressing at training camp, I think he’s the odd man out right now.
One player missing from this list is Tyus Bowser. I had limited roster space and only one spot with both Bowser and Williams sitting there. I chose Williams as the player making the 53-man roster mainly because I think he’s the one that will step up this year and be a more potent pass rush. However, Bowser was active more games last season and has more range as a cover linebacker that could make him an attractive option over Williams.
Just like with inside linebacker, this is a position group that could see one more player make the cut in exchange for less depth elsewhere. But a lot of that will depend on how the unit performs in training camp and the preseason and if anyone is deserving.
CB (7):
Marlon Humphrey, Jimmy Smith, Brandon Carr, Tavon Young, Anthony Averett, Terrell Bonds, Iman Lewis-Marshall
Most of the depth chart at cornerback is relatively set. Humphrey, Smith and Carr will likely battle it out for the two outside starting jobs but ultimately rotate around depending on the opponent. Young is the starting slot cornerback. Behind that is a little more of a mystery.
Averett played well down the stretch last season and could be in line for a Humphrey-esque big Sophomore season. Lewis-Marshall was a fourth-round pick in the 2019 NFL draft, making him difficult to cut. Bonds is the real intriguing selection here over guys like Maurice Canady, Justin Bethel, Stanley Jean-Baptiste and Cyrus Jones, but he’s stepping up already and earning a name for himself.
With so much talent at cornerback, the Ravens will end up having to cut at least one player who would make most other rosters. This is the position group Baltimore could look to thin out via trade so they don’t have to let go of players without something in return.
S (5):
Earl Thomas, Tony Jefferson, Chuck Clark, DeShon Elliott, Anthony Levine Sr.
The Ravens brought in Thomas this offseason to help replace Eric Weddle, so he’s not going anywhere. Jefferson mans the starting strong safety position, making him another lock. As I mentioned at inside linebacker, Levine Sr. is a hybrid player and allows Baltimore to keep things relatively thin there.
Both Clark and Elliott are young but have flashed in the past. For Clark, he’s been a pretty consistent safety that can play downhill in run support or step back in coverage, making him valuable. Elliott was all over the field at OTAs and minicamp, making the play of the practices thus far with a diving interception. I think it’ll be impossible to cut either Elliott or Clark by the end of training camp.
Special teams (3):
Justin Tucker, Sam Koch, Morgan Cox
If you’re looking for an explanation here, I don’t know why. Tucker, Koch and Cox are called “the wolfpack” and aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. Tucker and Koch are considered at the top of their respective positions and Cox has been the stability for both that has helped them reach those heights.
While I think Kaare Vedvik can be a really great kicker in the NFL, the Ravens have been pretty clear with their intentions to trade him before the 53-man roster is set.
