Ravens News 8/29: Roster projections and more

2019 NFL Preseason Week 4 Preview: Players to watch in all 16 games - PFF

BALTIMORE RAVENS @ WASHINGTON REDSKINS

Baltimore needs third-year edge defender Tim Williams to step his game up in 2019 with Za’Darius Smith and Terrell Suggs off the roster, and so far this preseason, Williams has done just that. Totaling seven pressures and five defensive stops, Williams has recorded an 86.5 overall grade across 79 defensive snaps in August. If he gets any reps this week, he needs to keep trending in the right direction.

Once a Rising Star, Michael Floyd Is Hoping to Hang On - Ryan Mink

If Floyd, 29, makes the team, he gets another chance to get back to his previous highs. If not, it could be the end of his career.

“You only get so many tries in this league until they give up on you,” Floyd said.

“My body feels good. Mentally, I’m great. I got people at home rooting for me, so that’s always great motivation.”

“He plays kind of angry. He does, and I say it in a good way,” Head Coach John Harbaugh said after the game. “He plays with aggressiveness and tempo and physicality. He had some big catches for us today and he’s done a great job. I mean, he’s a former first-round pick. He’s had a heck of a career and obviously he’s still got a lot left.

“He’s in the running. He’s got to be in the conversation with those other guys the way that he’s played.”

Ravens’ 53-man roster projection bucks trend to include three QBs - Jamison Hensley

OFFENSIVE LINE (8): Marshal Yanda, Ronnie Stanley, Orlando Brown Jr., Matt Skura, Ben Powers, James Hurst, Bradley Bozeman and Patrick Mekari.

Four starters (LT Stanley, C Skura, RG Yanda and RT Brown) are set. The biggest question mark on the offense all summer has been left guard. Jermaine Eluemunor, who was once the front-runner for that spot, was traded to the New England Patriots on Wednesday. Bozeman has been the most dependable option in training camp and would presumably get the nod over two rookies in Powers and Mekari.

SECONDARY (12): Marlon Humphrey, Brandon Carr, Jimmy Smith, Justin Bethel, Anthony Averett, Earl Thomas, Tony Jefferson, DeShon Elliott, Anthony Levine, Chuck Clark, Brynden Trawick and Cyrus Jones.

If Tavon Young (neck) wants to see if he can come back to play this season (perhaps December?), the Ravens would have to keep him on the 53-man roster initially to make him eligible for injured reserve-designated for return. Baltimore could release a vested veteran like McPhee or Trawick (both of whom don’t have to pass through waivers) to keep Young on the 53, but then bring him back for the season opener and place Young on IR. Iman Marshall, a fourth-round pick, has been hurt and likely will spend his rookie season on IR.

Baltimore Ravens’ 53-man roster projection: One guess before the preseason finale - Aaron Kasinitz

WIDE RECEIVER (5)

Who’s in: Marquise Brown, Miles Boykin, Willie Snead, Chris Moore, Seth Roberts

Who’s out: Jaleel Scott, Michael Floyd, Antoine Wesley, Jaylen Smith, Sean Modster, Joe Horn Jr.

Again, the Ravens could keep a sixth receiver, particularly if they think Scott brings special teams value. That’s more of a luxury than a necessity in this offense, though, and Scott hasn’t been consistent enough to force his way onto the field.

INSIDE LINEBACKER (3)

Who’s in: Patrick Onwuasor, Chris Board, Kenny Young

Who’s out: Otaro Alaka, Alvin Jones, Donald Payne, E.J. Ejiya, Silas Stewart

The Ravens took a liking to Alaka, an undrafted rookie, and he could win a job with a stellar performance Thursday. But Baltimore has a few safeties it could move into a pseudo linebacker role, so the team could get by with just three inside linebackers.