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Ravens 53-man roster prediction

By Dustin Cox
NFL: Baltimore Ravens at Miami Dolphins Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

After a 27-10 win over Miami in Week three of the preseason, Baltimore’s final roster is starting gain some clarity. Certain players have answered the bell while others have failed to step up. Injuries have begun to shape the roster as well.

Quarterbacks (2)

  1. Joe Flacco
  2. Lamar Jackson

Flacco is the clear-cut starter for now. Jackson has shown improvement throughout the preseason and is capable of backing up Flacco in his rookie year. Despite having a strong preseason, Robert Griffin III doesn’t make the cut. Josh Woodrum will spend another year on the Ravens’ practice squad.

Running backs (3)

  1. Alex Collins
  2. Javorius Allen
  3. Kenneth Dixon

Collins and Allen are both locks to make the roster. Dixon is in danger of losing his spot to one of the undrafted running backs such as Gus Edwards, but his upside is too high to give up on just yet. Dixon has also looked powerful since returning to the field this preseason, both as a runner and a receiver from the backfield.

Fullback (1)

  1. Patrick Ricard

Ricard will see the field as both a fullback and a defensive tackle for Baltimore this season. He has looked very good at both positions.

Wide Receivers (6)

  1. Michael Crabtree
  2. John Brown
  3. Willie Snead IV
  4. Chris Moore
  5. Janarion Grant
  6. Jordan Lasley

The first four receivers are locks to make the team. Grant currently has the edge in the returner battle over Tim White. Baltimore will opt to go with rookie Jordan Lasley over fourth-year receiver Breshad Perriman. Jaleel Scott has shown virtually nothing this preseason, so he will either land on injured reserve, the practice squad, or get outright cut.

Tight ends (4)

  1. Nick Boyle
  2. Hayden Hurst
  3. Mark Andrews
  4. Maxx Williams

Boyle is the best blocking tight end on the roster. With Hurst expected to miss several weeks with after having surgery for a stress fracture in his foot, Williams will make the team. Williams will be needed as a second blocker while Hurst is absent since Andrews doesn’t provide much in that department. Neither Vince Mayle or Darren Waller make the cut, but Waller will be stashed on the practice squad.

Offensive line (9)

  1. Ronnie Stanley
  2. Marshal Yanda
  3. Matt Skura
  4. Alex Lewis
  5. Orlando Brown Jr.
  6. James Hurst
  7. Nico Siragusa
  8. Bradley Bozeman
  9. Greg Senat

Jermaine Eluemunor fails to make the cut after a poor preseason. Siragusa and Bozeman are kept for interior depth, while Hurst and Senat can provide depth at tackle. If Senat’s injury is serious, then he may spend the year on injured reserve instead, with Andrew Donnal taking the ninth spot and providing tackle depth.

Defensive line (6)

  1. Brandon Williams
  2. Michael Pierce
  3. Brent Urban
  4. Willie Henry
  5. Chris Wormley
  6. Zach Sieler

Bronson Kaufusi and Carl Davis both fail to make the team. The defensive line is deep for the Ravens, especially after the emergence of 7th-round rookie Zach Sieler and second-year player Pat Ricard, who is listed at fullback. Ricard’s role on defense should be greatly expanded this season, pushing Davis and Kaufusi off the depth chart. Either of the two could be used as trade bait, however.

Outside linebackers (6)

  1. Terrell Suggs
  2. Matt Judon
  3. Za’Darius Smith
  4. Tim Williams
  5. Tyus Bowser
  6. Kamalei Correa

Nothing surprising here. Correa makes the cut for his versatility to play both outside and inside linebacker, as well as his special teams contributions, replacing veteran Albert McClellan.

Inside linebackers (3)

  1. C.J. Mosley
  2. Patrick Onwuasor
  3. Kenny Young

Albert McClellan fails to make the team after a bad preseason showing. Correa will also be used as depth here.

Cornerbacks (6)

  1. Marlon Humphrey
  2. Brandon Carr
  3. Tavon Young
  4. Anthony Averett
  5. Maurice Canady
  6. Stanley Jean-Baptiste

Jimmy Smith will serve a four-game suspension to open the season, but he will regain his roster spot on return. For now Stanley Jean-Baptiste makes the team after an impressive preseason, including consecutive games with an interception.

Safeties (4)

  1. Eric Weddle
  2. Tony Jefferson
  3. Anthony Levine Sr.
  4. Chuck Clark

Rookie DeShon Elliot, who has impressed this preseason, will potentially miss the entire season with a fractured forearm on injured reserve.

Specialist (3)

  1. Justin Tucker
  2. Sam Koch
  3. Morgan Cox

No surprises here. The reliable “wolf-pack” remains intact for the 2018 season.

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