The Baltimore Ravens will announce their expectedly large undrafted free-agent class later this week, which will put their roster at 90-man capacity, or at least close to it. A few back-end roster moves typically take place after the rookie minicamp, which concludes over the weekend.
Now that signing veteran free agents no longer factors in the compensatory formula, the Ravens figure to make a move or two on that front, potentially along their defensive line. They are still looking at starting center options, too.
The roster will be changing a lot. But with the draft in the rearview and the rookie class due at the Under Armour Performance Center later in the week, this is a good time to take a look at the Ravens’ depth chart.
Quarterback
Starter: Lamar Jackson
Top backup: Tyler Huntley
Depth: Joe Fagnano, Diego Pavia
The Ravens agreed to terms Tuesday with both Fagnano and Pavia, who were initially invited to try out for this week’s rookie minicamp. Baltimore has carried four quarterbacks into training camp before, and whether the team does it again might depend on just how much Jesse Minter plans to play Jackson and Huntley in the preseason.
Either way, the Ravens could choose between Fagnano and Pavia after this weekend, or they could keep both going forward. They do like to keep a developmental No. 3 quarterback on the practice squad.
Running back
Starter: Derrick Henry
Top backup: Justice Hill
Depth: Rasheen Ali, Adam Randall (fifth-round rookie)
The selection of Randall, orchestrated by Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti, sets up an interesting No. 3 running back competition in training camp between the Clemson rookie and Ali, who didn’t look out of place last year in limited action.
With Patrick Ricard’s departure, the Ravens are not expected to roster a fullback in the regular season, which opens the door for them to keep four backs. They’ll add another running back or two as training camp bodies.
Wide receiver
Starters: Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman
Top backups: Devontez Walker, Ja’Kobi Lane (third-round rookie), Elijah Sarratt (fourth-round rookie)
Depth: LaJohntay Wester, Dayton Wade, Cornelius Johnson, Xavier Guillory
This is a young room, where roles behind Flowers and Bateman will have to be won and defined through training camp and the preseason. The Ravens will have an opportunity to evaluate how far along Lane and Sarratt are during the practices and workouts over the next couple of weeks.
If they feel they still need a veteran, there are plenty of free agents available, including Jauan Jennings, Stefon Diggs, Keenan Allen and DeAndre Hopkins. Wester is the front-runner for the final receiver spot because he remains the team’s top punt return option.
Tight end
Starter: Mark Andrews
Top backup: Durham Smythe
Depth: Matthew Hibner (fourth-round rookie), Josh Cuevas (fifth-round rookie), Lucas Scott
Not carrying a fullback means that Smythe, a free-agent acquisition earmarked for the blocking tight end role, will likely be on the field a good amount. Hibner and Cuevas will compete this summer to see who emerges as the secondary tight end target behind Andrews.
The Ravens will need Hibner and Cuevas to grow up fast. There are some veteran tight ends available, including David Njoku, if the Ravens need another experienced pass catcher at the position.
Offensive tackle
Starters: Ronnie Stanley, Roger Rosengarten
Top backups: Carson Vinson, Gerad Lichtenhan
Depth: To be determined
This is a spot where the Ravens could benefit from adding a veteran to compete with Vinson, a second-year fifth-round pick, for the swing tackle role. It’s also possible that Emery Jones Jr., a natural tackle at LSU, crosstrains at both guard and tackle and is moved outside if there is a need. The undrafted free-agent class will provide a few more depth options.
Guard
Starters: John Simpson, Vega Ioane (first-round rookie)
Top backups: Emery Jones Jr., Andrew Vorhees
Depth: Jared Penning, Evan Beerntsen (seventh-round rookie)
The Ravens, who struggled with their guard play last year, suddenly have a pretty deep room after signing the veteran Simpson and drafting Ioane and Beerntsen. General manager Eric DeCosta maintains that Jones will be in the mix for a starting guard spot, but the Ravens gave Simpson a three-year, $30 million deal and drafted Ioane 14th overall. They’ll be the starters. Vorhees, who has started 20 games over the past two years, is ticketed for a reserve role.
Center
Starters: Danny Pinter
Top backups: Corey Bullock
Depth: Jovaughn Gwyn
It is possible, if not probable, that the Ravens’ starting Week 1 center is not currently on the roster. They are expected to explore trade and free-agent options. For now, Pinter gets the nod atop the depth chart because he’s the most experienced. He’s made 10 career starts, including three at center, the past two seasons with the Indianapolis Colts. Neither Bullock nor Gwyn has ever started an NFL game, and they’ve combined for 24 career offensive snaps.
Interior defensive line
Starters: Nnamdi Madubuike, Travis Jones, Broderick Washington
Top backups: John Jenkins, Aeneas Peebles
Depth: C.J. Okoye, Rayshaun Benny (seventh-round rookie), David Olajiga
There’s a lot to be decided here. The biggest domino is whether Madubuike can return after missing most of last season with a neck injury. If he can’t, DeCosta has a lot of work to do. The next prominent question is whether Washington is in the Ravens’ plans. He played just three games last year and is recovering from Achilles surgery.
This feels like the most likely position for the Ravens to bring in a veteran, and there are a handful still available, including Calais Campbell, DaQuan Jones, D.J. Reader and Larry Ogunjobi.
Outside linebacker
Starters: Trey Hendrickson, Mike Green
Top backups: Tavius Robinson, Zion Young (second-round rookie)
Depth: Adisa Isaac, Kaimon Rucker
The Ravens used significant assets here, signing Hendrickson to a big-money deal and using a second-round pick on Young. Robinson and Young set a strong edge and can also rush inside on obvious passing situations, giving Minter some options.
The Ravens have kept five outside linebackers before, so there’s likely a spot for Isaac, the 2024 third-round pick who has played 32 defensive snaps in two years. It’s also not completely out of the question that the Ravens add another veteran, and there are plenty available.
Inside linebacker
Starters: Roquan Smith, Teddye Buchanan
Top backup: Trenton Simpson
Depth: Jay Higgins, Carl Jones
It was a bit surprising that the Ravens didn’t use a draft pick on this position, particularly with Buchanan sustaining a significant knee injury in mid-December. Trenton Simpson has 19 career starts and is a core special-teamer. His spot is secure, and the Ravens would be comfortable starting him if Buchanan isn’t ready in Week 1.
Cornerback
Starters: Marlon Humphrey, Nate Wiggins
Top backups: Chidobe Awuzie, T.J. Tampa
Depth: Chandler Rivers (fifth-round rookie), Keyon Martin, Bilhal Kone, Robert Longerbeam, Marquise Robinson, Amani Oruwariye
The Ravens will add some undrafted cornerbacks, but the top of this group is just about set. There will be spirited competition for the final one or two cornerback spots and the health of Kone and Longerbeam, who both missed their entire rookie seasons, could be a major factor in the decisions. Rivers can play both outside and in the slot. His quickest path to a game day jersey is to play well on special teams.
Safety
Starters: Kyle Hamilton, Malaki Starks
Top backup: Jaylinn Hawkins
Depth: Keondre Jackson
The Ravens couldn’t be any happier with their safety trio of Hamilton, Starks and Hawkins. Minter loves using three safeties, so they’ll be on the field together often. Keondre Jackson established himself as one of the team’s top special teams players last year. Unless they plan on using a corner at the position, the Ravens will need to settle on a fourth safety.
Specialists
Kicking battery: Tyler Loop (kicker), Ryan Eckley (sixth-round rookie punter), Nick Moore (long snapper)
Depth: Luke Elzinga (punter)
It will be interesting to see whether the Ravens hold on to Elzinga and let him compete with Eckley for the job, or just let Eckley settle in without having to look over his shoulder. They also have to decide whether to bring in a veteran to push Loop after an uneven rookie season. Moore is the leader of this group.
