Baltimore Ravens final 53-man roster prediction: 1.0

With the first preseason game in the books, it’s time to project the difficult job of head coach John Harbaugh, general manager Eric DeCosta and the rest of the Baltimore Ravens staff.

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Offense

Quarterback

1. Lamar Jackson
2. Robert Griffin III
3. Trace McSorley

Analysis: McSorley made a case for the Ravens to keep three quarterbacks and therefore I am keeping him on my first mock 53.

Running back

1. Mark Ingram II
2. Gus Edwards
3. Kenneth Dixon
4. Justice Hill

Analysis: I’ve seen others keep only three tailbacks on their mocks but I’m confident the Ravens go with four in their run-heavy assault. This means Dixon stays; he is far too talented to let go. As for the others, they’re self-explanatory. Two cheap rookie contracts and the star running back the team signed for are obviously sticking around.

Tight End

1. Mark Andrews
2. Hayden Hurst
3. Nick Boyle

Analysis: No surprise here. All three make the roster while Charles Scarff and Cole Herdman have an opportunity to land on the practice squad in Charm City or elsewhere.

Offensive Line

1. Ronnie Stanley
2. James Hurst
3. Matt Skura
4. Marshal Yanda
5. Orlando Brown Jr.
6. Ben Powers
7. Jermaine Eluemunor
8. Bradley Bozeman

Analysis: Unless Greg Senat produces strong results in these next few games, I don’t see him on the final 53. He hasn’t demonstrated enough growth and production in training camp this season and I believe they keep Bozeman as their eighth. Unfortunately, this leaves the Ravens vulnerable at tackle.

Wide Receiver

1. Marquise Brown
2. Willie Snead IV
3. Miles Boykin
4. Seth Roberts
5. Chris Moore

Analysis: Many speculated whether the Ravens will keep six, seven or eight receivers this season but I don’t see more than six worthy of a roster spot. That being said, I only have five here on account of Jaleel Scott being number 54 on my list. He’s had a great camp but you just can’t keep everybody you want. This won’t be an issue for the receiving game in my mind as Baltimore sports three talented tight ends and at least two pass-catching tailbacks.

Total offensive players: 23

Defense

Safety

1. Earl Thomas III
2. Tony Jefferson
3. DeShon Elliott
4. Chuck Clark

Analysis: The Ravens secondary is deep and they won’t be parting ways with eventual starters Clark and Elliott. Both young safeties have earned regular snaps both as relief for Thomas and Jefferson and also in the dime package.

Cornerback

1. Marlon Humphrey
2. Jimmy Smith
3. Brandon Carr
4. Tavon Young
5. Anthony Averett
6. Iman Marshall
7. Justin Bethel
8. Cyrus Jones

Analysis: Crazy to think the Ravens are five-deep at cornerback before considering more cornerbacks who can play defense and also contribute on special teams. After the first five, it begins to get tricky but they’ll want to keep their rookie on the roster. The last two are core special teams players as Bethel was a specifically selected to join the roster as a veteran special teams star while Jones is the front-runner for the kick and punt return duties.

Inside Linebacker

1. Patrick Onwuasor
2. Chris Board
3. Kenny Young
4. Anthony Levine Sr.

Analysis: I feel this is the easiest category. Obviously, the Ravens keep their two projected starters. Right behind Board is Young, battling for the starting ILB2 role and Co-Cap is certainly sticking with Baltimore for the 2019 season.

Outside Linebacker

1. Matt Judon
2. Pernell McPhee
3. Tim Williams
4. Tyus Bowser
5. Jaylon Ferguson

Analysis: This offseason, the Ravens went out and signed two veteran pass rushers, McPhee and Shane Ray. Unfortunately, they only keep McPhee who has earned starting reps in 2019. With Baltimore giving one last shot for Bowser and Williams, this leaves Ray off the roster. He may be more skilled than the last three names on the list but the Ravens may like the potential from Bowser and Williams more than they like the immediate contribution from Ray.

Defensive Line

1. Brandon Williams
2. Michael Pierce
3. Willie Henry
4. Chris Wormley
5. Daylon Mack
6. Patrick Ricard

Analysis: The decision to cut Sieler isn’t an easy one, especially as he’s known as ‘Ozzie’s last draft pick,’ but I don’t see somebody they’re going to cut instead. He’ll definitely find a spot on a roster elsewhere and that’s never a good feeling, knowing you’re releasing a player you know is NFL-caliber.

My thought process was you can only keep one between Kenneth Dixon, Jaleel Scott and Sieler. I opted for Dixon in this run-heavy offense and an already strong defensive front.

Total defensive players: 27

Special Teams

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

Nothing to explain here.