Ravens News 5/10: Comp picks update, defensive depth chart and more

2019 Compensatory Draft Picks Update - Nick Korte

Wallace’s $1 million signing bonus is actually an OATSB–Other Amount Treated As Signing Bonus. OTC also believes that this OATSB is a guaranteed workout bonus. Although it’s unclear how the comp pick formula will judge such a payment, it has been very consistent in not counting workout bonuses of any kind. Because there are many signs suggesting that the Eagles are manipulating the formula with Wallace’s contract, I’m therefore guessing that this $1 million will not count either.

The end result? If Wallace does not qualify, as I have it so right now, it opens up an additional 6th rounder to Philadelphia for Patrick Robinson, and it potentially costs Baltimore a 7th for Wallace.

Ben Watson will turn 38 during the 2018 season, and the Saints only guaranteed $645,000 of his contract. If Watson fails to make the roster or decides to call it a career before the regular season, and Mike Wallace doesn’t qualify, it would jeopardize the Ravens’ 3rd or 4th round comp pick for Ryan Jensen.

Over the Cap is currently predicting the Ravens will receive a 4th round compensatory pick for Ryan Jensen. The front office is surely hoping that projection holds after dealing away their 2019 second round pick in the Lamar Jackson trade.

PFF favorites drawing early praise on offense in rookie minicamp - Austin Gayle

QB LAMAR JACKSON, BALTIMORE RAVENS

2017 Overall college Grade: 89.4

Jackson’s strong first impression comes as no surprise to us.

While he did have some misses during his tenure with the Cardinals, Jackson proved to have enough arm talent to zip the ball into tight windows and make special throws at all levels in bursts. More specifically, his high-end traits were most evident when facing adversity, as he ranked third in the class in terms of grading under pressure and finished three percentage points above the average in adjusted completion percentage under pressure. He also earned a career-high 89.4 overall grade for his efforts in 2017, ranking second only to the draft’s No. 1 overall selection Baker Mayfield.

If Jackson can retain his poise under pressure, he could push Joe Flacco sooner than expected. Flacco has not thrived when under duress for the vast majority of his ten year career.

Looking at the Ravens’ depth chart on defense and special teams - Jeff Zrebiec

Defensive end: Brent Urban, Chris Wormley, Bronson Kaufusi, Zach Sieler, Christian LaCouture

Comments: Urban appeared to be on his way to breaking out last year when he suffered a season-ending foot injury. He re-signed with the team, but it isn’t clear whether he’ll be full go in time for training camp. Wormley, a third-round pick in 2017, didn’t distinguish himself in limited opportunities last year. This is a big training camp for him. Kaufusi, a third-rounder in 2016, has played in just three games in two years, and his roster spot is hardly secure. A seventh-rounder this year, Sieler is a developmental prospect.

Weak-side linebacker: Patrick Onwuasor, Kamalei Correa, Kenny Young, Bam Bradley

Comments: Onwuasor ultimately beat out Correa, a second-round pick in 2016, for starting weak-side linebacker last season. The converted safety made some strides last year, but the position remains a bit unsettled. The Ravens haven’t given up on Correa. They drafted Young in the fourth round, and the former UCLA Bruin has the athleticism to make the transition. Then there’s Bradley, who was pushing for playing time at linebacker last season when he tore up his knee in Week 2.

Defensive end and especially weak side linebacker are shaping up to be hotly contested position battles in training camp. The Ravens may be ready to move on from disappointing 2016 second and third round draft picks Correa and Kaufusi.