The Baltimore Ravens are starting their rookie minicamps after the 2019 NFL draft. With things as set as can be expected right now, it’s a perfect opportunity to begin projecting what the 53-man roster will be.
This is far from final as the deadline to trim the roster down to 53 players isn’t until August 31. We’ll likely see some more additions in the second wave of free agency and unfortunately, also some cuts and injuries that tend to pop up. Those changes will alter how the roster shapes up but it’s a great chance to see what players might be in danger of losing their jobs before Week 1.
We’ve already projected the 53-man roster for the offensive side of the ball, so take a look there to see how the rest of the team shapes up. Also, check out the current depth chart projections for the Ravens’ defense as they stand right now.
Defensive line (7):
Brandon Williams, Willie Henry, Chris Wormley, Michael Pierce, Patrick Ricard, Daylon Mack, Zach Sieler
The defensive line has usually been stacked for the Ravens and this year is no exception. Williams, Henry, Pierce and Mack should all rotate in and out throughout the season. Wormley and Sieler are likely going to compete for the starting defensive end job in training camp. Ricard plays both offense and defense, so he gets one of the final spots because of that versatility.
Inside linebackers (4):
Patrick Onwuasor, Kenny Young, Chris Board, Alvin Jones
With C.J. Mosley leaving in free agency, the Ravens seem to be alright with Onwuasor and Young stepping into the starting roles. But with Board and Jones behind them, they can’t feel great about the depth at inside linebacker.
While I think some hybrid players can help take some of the pressure off a shallow inside linebacker depth chart, finding a veteran should be a high priority for Baltimore in the second wave of free agency. At the very least, finding someone with more experience to be a primary backup is necessary to make the Ravens feel more comfortable.
Outside linebackers (4):
Matthew Judon, Jaylon Ferguson, Tyus Bowser, Tim Williams
Outside linebacker is still a big area of need for the Ravens. Judon is the defacto starter but it could be a rotation of players on the opposite side of him depending on the play call.
Barring Bowser and/or Williams stepping up in a major way this summer, Baltimore really needs to add another player at this position just for extra capable depth at least.
Cornerbacks (6):
Marlon Humphrey, Jimmy Smith, Brandon Carr, Tavon Young, Anthony Averett, Iman Marshall
This is easily the deepest part of the Ravens’ roster. They effectively have three starters in Humphrey, Smith and Carr. Young is their starting slot corner and has a huge role on this defense. Averett and Marshall make the roster simply by being recent fourth-round draft picks.
I wanted to have Cyrus Jones on this list after he stepped up as the team’s punt returner last year. But I just needed the roster spot and couldn’t justify a player who barely plays on defense when I needed more depth elsewhere.
Safety (5):
Earl Thomas, Tony Jefferson, Anthony Levine, Chuck Clark, DeShon Elliott
This is another tough position group to judge. Obviously, Thomas and Jefferson are the starters but Levine, Clark and Elliott should all play a decent number of snaps as well in Baltimore’s many different defensive schemes.
Levine and Elliott are hybrid players that can come down and play linebacker as well. With how thin the Ravens are at linebacker, having those two on the roster helps quite a bit. Clark can play both safety positions, so he also stays on the 53-man roster.
Special teams (3):
Justin Tucker, Sam Koch, Morgan Cox
The “Wolfpack” remains together for another season. Ravens coach John Harbaugh had noted the team might look to keep kicker/punter Kaare Vedvik in an effort to trade him, which I fully expect to happen at some point before the roster deadline hits to keep Baltimore’s special teams to just three players.
