The Baltimore Ravens have wrapped up their 2019 NFL draft, picking eight players over three nights. Now getting ready to kick off the start of their offseason minicamps, the Ravens will begin the early process of figuring out their 53-man roster.
While much will change ahead of the August 31 deadline as players are potentially added in free agency, cut, traded or injured, it’s as good a time as any to predict where things will go. With the roster as it stands right now and assuming all eight draft picks are signed, I went through and trimmed Baltimore’s roster to the 53-man limit.
Make sure to check out the current depth chart projections for the Ravens’ offense right now.
Quarterback (2):
Lamar Jackson, Robert Griffin III
This isn’t really much of a question. The Ravens are absolutely going to keep Jackson and Griffin on the roster. The real question is if sixth-round pick Trace McSorley can make the final cut. But even with Baltimore talking him up, I just can’t see them essentially wasting a roster spot on a player who is such a developmental prospect when they need depth elsewhere.
Running back (3):
Gus Edwards, Mark Ingram, Justice Hill
This could come back to bite me in the butt. Having only three running backs on a team that loves to run the football seems foolish but with Lamar Jackson pulling some of those snaps for himself, I think I can get away with limited depth here.
Edwards and Ingram get the bulk of the carries with Hill being the change-of-pace back. It gives the Ravens everything they could need while keeping their top-two backs fresher throughout the season in a rotation.
Wide receiver (7):
Marquise Brown, Willie Snead, Miles Boykin, Jordan Lasley, Jaleel Scott, Chris Moore, Seth Roberts
This was a lot harder than in previous years. Finally, Baltimore has some players worthy of making the team and quite a bit of young talent they’ll have to make a decision on.
Snead is a lock after how important he became down the stretch last season. So are the four recent draft picks, though Lasley or Scott could be on thin ice if they don’t show improvement in training camp.
Beyond that, Roberts is on the roster for now but I feel like Baltimore could add a veteran wide receiver in the second wave of free agency as an upgrade. Moore makes the team because he’s the kickoff return specialist but the Ravens have never seemed terribly sold on him on offense.
Offensive line (9):
Ronnie Stanley, James Hurst, Matt Skura, Marshal Yanda, Orlando Brown Jr., Jermaine Eluemunor, Alex Lewis, Bradley Bozeman, Ben Powers
We know most of the starting lineup here already with the exception of left guard and center. But with the number of injuries this unit has seen in recent years and the importance of a consistent offensive line in the Ravens’ run-heavy scheme, I wanted a little extra depth.
Hurst, Lewis, Bozeman, Skura and Eluemunor can play multiple positions on the offensive line. That versatility gives them all an advantage when it comes to making the team in my book.
Tight end (3):
Hayden Hurst, Mark Andrews, Nick Boyle
Though Baltimore has loved keeping far too many tight ends in previous years, they finally have to trim the fat a little. This combination allows the Ravens to add extra blockers to the line and all three are capable pass catchers in their own right. I don’t really see the need to add anyone else at this point.
