Ravens 53-man roster projection: Young defensive players make for tough calls

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LANDOVER, Md. — When training camp began nearly five weeks ago, it didn’t appear that the Baltimore Ravens would have 53-man roster room for an undrafted rookie. Now, there’s a chance that as many as three make it, all on the defensive side of the ball.

When the Ravens took the field on July 23 for their first practice of camp, the kicking competition was arguably the biggest storyline. Yet, the competition lasted all of 10 days. Rookie Tyler Loop has been the only kicker on the roster since Aug. 2, when John Hoyland was released.

When the earliest roster projections came out in mid-July, it seemed likely the Ravens would keep 10 offensive linemen and highly unlikely they’d take four running backs. Today, there’s a better chance of four running backs making the 53-man roster than 10 O-linemen.

With Saturday’s 30-3 victory over the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium, the Ravens’ preseason is mercifully over. They finished 3-0, outscoring the opposition 85-32 in the process. Now, the tough decisions begin.

By 4 p.m. ET Tuesday, the Ravens will have to cut their roster down to the requisite 53 players. Saturday’s thorough beatdown of the Commanders, where several young players flashed, showed how difficult that process will be.

Many of the decisions are predictable. However, general manager Eric DeCosta typically has a surprise or two up his sleeve during the cutdown. Here’s one guess on how it could play out.

Quarterback (2)

In: Lamar Jackson, Cooper Rush

Out: Devin Leary

Toughest call: What will the Ravens do at the No. 3/practice squad quarterback spot?

Keeping three quarterbacks is a luxury that the Ravens can’t afford. Truth be told, Leary didn’t play well enough to force the issue. He was better in practices than games. He did show some improvements from his rookie season, but the overall body of work didn’t add up to a compelling roster case.

The Ravens will keep a No. 3 quarterback on the practice squad, and they’ll have to decide whether there’s enough upside with Leary to keep him around.

Running back (4)

In: Derrick Henry, Justice Hill, Keaton Mitchell, Rasheen Ali

Out: D’Ernest Johnson, Myles Gaskin

Toughest call: Should the Ravens go with four running backs and keep Ali, or stick with three?

It was only a week ago when Ravens coach John Harbaugh said the team was planning to go with four running backs, but he added the caveat that “things can change.” Following the win over the Commanders, Harbaugh again backed Ali for a roster spot.

Ali, a 2024 fifth-round pick, has played well enough this summer to make the team. He’s also good insurance for Mitchell, who has battled injury issues, both at No. 3 running back and kick returner. However, this feels like the one position on offense where Baltimore can subtract a roster spot that can go to the defense, which is dealing with a tighter squeeze.

TOUCHDOWN, @fsosheen1❗

Tune in on WBAL! pic.twitter.com/Ovvs3oS45o

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 23, 2025

Wide receiver (6)

In: Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, DeAndre Hopkins, Tylan Wallace, Devontez Walker, LaJohntay Wester

Out: Anthony Miller, Malik Cunningham, Keith Kirkwood, Dayton Wade (potentially IR), Jahmal Banks, Xavier Guillory (potentially IR)

Toughest call: Which receivers will the Ravens keep on the practice squad?

As long as Walker continued to make strides and Wester made good decisions and showed solid ball security, their status as the fifth and sixth receivers was going to be secure. Wallace more than justifies his spot by being proficient on special teams and as a perimeter blocker.

This group is a nice mix of developing young receivers, ascending veterans and one future Hall of Famer on the back end of his career. Miller, Kirkwood and Wade had their moments this summer, but they were caught in a numbers game and never had much of a chance.

Tight end/fullback (4)

In: Mark Andrews, Isaiah Likely, Charlie Kolar, Patrick Ricard (fullback)

Out: Zaire Mitchell-Paden, Scotty Washington, Baylor Cupp, Lucas Scott (fullback)

Toughest call: Do the Ravens keep Likely on the 53-man roster, or do they start him on IR and get him ready for Week 5?

Likely had surgery to repair a foot fracture on Aug. 1, and the Ravens, at least publicly, haven’t ruled him out for Week 1. They’re seemingly confident that even if he doesn’t play in the opener, he’ll return shortly thereafter. If that remains the case, there’s no decision to make. Likely will be on the initial 53.

If his rehab isn’t going as quickly as the team had hoped and he’s more likely to return in late September or beyond, then Baltimore will have to consider putting Likely on IR, which will keep him sidelined through at least the first four weeks. With Andrews, Kolar and Ricard, the Ravens have enough to get by in the short term without Likely.

Offensive line (9)

In: Ronnie Stanley, Andrew Vorhees, Tyler Linderbaum, Daniel Faalele, Roger Rosengarten, Joseph Noteboom, Ben Cleveland, Carson Vinson, Corey Bullock

Out: Nick Samac, Garrett Dellinger, Darrian Dalcourt, Jared Penning, Reid Holskey, Gerad Lichtenhan

Non-football injury list: Emery Jones Jr. (shoulder)

Toughest call: Who gets the ninth and final spot?

Two questions were essentially answered when Harbaugh confirmed the starting offensive line, and he also indicated that the Ravens likely will keep nine on the roster. There are no real questions with the top six (Noteboom is the swing tackle), but there’s ambiguity with the final three spots.

Cleveland is the only experienced guard the Ravens have, so even with his usage in recent years, it’s hard to imagine him not being on the roster. Vinson was drafted in the fifth round as a developmental tackle, and the Ravens will presumably want to keep him around to give him time to develop. That essentially leaves one spot for Bullock, Samac, Dellinger or Dalcourt.

Bullock has been getting the second-team center reps all summer. He’s earned that final spot.

Defensive line (5)

In: Nnamdi Madubuike, Travis Jones, Broderick Washington, Aeneas Peebles, John Jenkins

Out: Brent Urban, C.J. Okoye, C.J. Ravenell, Adedayo Odeleye, Jayson Jones

Toughest call: Will the Ravens agree to a handshake deal with a veteran such as Jenkins or Urban to start on the practice squad and open a spot for a younger defensive player?

This has probably been the Ravens’ strongest position group through the summer. Okoye and Ravenell have played well enough to make the team, and Urban is a solid role player and team leader. However, it’s hard to justify keeping more than five when the Ravens are in their base defense so infrequently.

Jenkins gets the nod for the final spot because he fits the backup nose tackle role. Urban is a consummate pro and might be amenable to a practice squad spot with the promise of an in-season promotion.

Outside linebacker (5)

In: Kyle Van Noy, Odafe Oweh, Tavius Robinson, Mike Green, David Ojabo

Out: Malik Hamm, Kaimon Rucker

Toughest call: Has Ojabo done enough to secure a spot?

Injured reserve: Adisa Isaac (elbow)

The big issue at this spot was pretty much solved last week when Isaac went down with a dislocated elbow that will keep him out until at least midseason. The Ravens were considering keeping six outside linebackers on the roster rather than moving on from Ojabo, the 2022 second-round pick who has struggled to find his footing in the NFL.

Now, they don’t have to. A local kid, Hamm has persevered through injuries to stick around for a while, but he’s probably competing with Rucker for a practice squad spot.

Inside linebacker (4)

In: Roquan Smith, Trenton Simpson, Teddye Buchanan, Jake Hummel

Out: Jay Higgins IV, Chandler Martin, William Kwenkeu (potentially headed to IR)

Toughest call: Can the Ravens find room for a fifth inside linebacker?

This is an intriguing position group, even with the top four being seemingly set. Hummel was targeted for a special teams role after the Ravens lost linebackers Malik Harrison and Chris Board, their two leaders in special teams snaps last year. It feels unlikely that Baltimore would move on from him when there’s a need for quality special-teamers.

Higgins, an All-American at Iowa, has created two preseason turnovers and shown that he should have been drafted despite size/speed concerns. Martin, a rookie free agent from Memphis, has earned some fans in the building because of his special teams ability. It may come down to the Ravens keeping an extra inside linebacker or an extra defensive back, and it’s tough to deny Keyon Martin.

Cornerback (7)

In: Marlon Humphrey, Nate Wiggins, Jaire Alexander, Chidobe Awuzie, Jalyn Armour-Davis, T.J. Tampa, Keyon Martin

Out: Marquise Robinson, Thomas Graham Jr., MJ Devonshire Jr.

Injured reserve: Bilhal Kone (knee), Robert Longerbeam (knee)

Toughest call: Is it the best use of roster space to keep seven cornerbacks?

Armour-Davis was viewed as a bubble guy coming in, but he’s had a strong summer and left no doubt that he belongs. Keyon Martin, who was signed after a tryout at the rookie minicamp, has come out of nowhere in recent weeks. All he’s done is make plays.

The Ravens love hoarding young corners. They also know that Alexander, Awuzie and Armour-Davis have all had major issues staying healthy over the years, and they missed some time this summer. Keyon Martin gives the Ravens some coverage in the slot, where they don’t have a ton of depth.

PICK SIX @MartinIsland21 !!!!!!!!!!!!

Tune in on WBAL! pic.twitter.com/3zUShUJGv6

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 23, 2025

Safety (4)

In: Kyle Hamilton, Malaki Starks, Sanoussi Kane, Reuben Lowery

Out: Beau Brade, Keondre Jackson, Desmond Igbinosun

PUP list: Ar’Darius Washington (Achilles)

Toughest call: Should the Ravens keep a fifth safety in Brade, or should they use the spot for an extra inside linebacker or interior defensive lineman?

It appears that Brade has been passed on the safety depth chart by Lowery, the undrafted rookie from Tennessee-Chattanooga who has been one of the biggest revelations in camp. Brade was a core special-teamer last year, and the Ravens already have some special teams roles to fill. But Brade being on the field late in the fourth quarter of the final two preseason games doesn’t bode well. If he makes the team, it’s going to have to be on special teams.

Specialists (3)

In: Tyler Loop, Jordan Stout, Nick Moore

Out: Nobody

Toughest call: Should the Ravens bring in a veteran kicker on the practice squad to keep the pressure on Loop?

The Ravens cut Hoyland about 10 days into camp, removing any drama. All Loop, the rookie sixth-round pick, had to do in practice and games to secure the job was to make the majority of his kicks — and he’s done that. Still, he’ll need to prove he can consistently deliver when it counts.

(Photo of Reuben Lowery and Keyon Martin: Kevin Jairaj / Imagn Images)

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