The Baltimore Ravens have been well known for finding diamonds in the rough. Through excellent scouting and even better player development, the Ravens have seen several undrafted free agents not only make the team over the years but turn into impact players. That, sadly, won’t be the case in 2020.
After the Ravens’ 53-man roster was set, none of the 12 UDFAs that were on the 80-man roster as of Friday made the team. This ends a 16-year streak where the Ravens have had at least one UDFA make the 53-man roster, which started way back in 2003.
It was expected to be an especially difficult year for the UDFAs. With the coronavirus pandemic hitting the United States before the 2020 NFL Draft, Baltimore stopped all travel and the NFL shut down any in-person tryouts. However, the Ravens still managed to find a bunch of undrafted players they liked enough to sign and have play during training camp. But without any preseason games, it only made it harder for the young and unproven players to showcase their talents and earn a spot on the Ravens’ 53-man roster.
We gave a few of the UDFAs solid chances of making the team this year. But as the roster cuts began trickling in, it became obvious Baltimore was looking to keep the more well-known options instead.
However, all is not lost. With a 16-man practice squad this season, the Ravens could look to bring back most of their UDFAs to continue developing with the team this season.
