There are two critical issues with the 2024 Ravens roster before the season starts. The offensive line and edge linebacker. One just has to downgrade the evaluation of this Ravens team going into the season given what seems to be a major problem on the O-line, and a potential major problem at edge linebacker. So let me touch on a few roster issues.
Wide Receiver
I don’t see any surprises coming at today’s cutdown. The offense is a bit unsettled at the sixth wide receiver position and the third running back, but the starting positions are settled. At wide receiver the top five slots are set: Zay Flowers Rahod Bateman, Nelson Agholor, Tylan Wallace and Deonte Harty. Devontez Walker made no impression at all; at this point he’s a developmental project. Had he been drafted in the sixth round (and readers know I didn’t like him as a prospect and panned the pick), he’d be headed to the practice squad. With his “rib injury”, I’d stash him on the injured list and Anthony Miller would be my sixth receiver.
Running Back
At running back, Rasheen Ali also made no impression but is likely saved, at this moment, by the injury to Owen Wright, who will be on the injured list. I can easily see the Ravens picking up a veteran running back in lieu of Ali, with Ali headed to the practice squad. I had my doubts about Ali when the Ravens drafted him. And I remain on record that I would have drafted Jaylen Wright (Dolphins) in lieu of Devontez Walker. I think the Ravens will rue the day they passed on Wright (who rushed for 91 yards on 17 carries in the preseason). Time will tell, and I hope I’m wrong.
Offensive Line – Problem Area Number One
This is a serious problem. I don’t think Daniel Faalele would be starting at guard on any other team in the NFL. Roger Rosengarten has potential, but he’s nowhere near the road grader that Morgan Moses was. Rosengarten might become a serious starter in the NFL at some point, but let’s face it – he shouldn’t be starting now. Andrew Vorhees, like Rosengarten, is a rookie from an experience perspective. And like Rosengarten, he should be starting on the bench for week one. But that’s not the way it looks as this piece is penned.
In the absence of the Ravens making a move on the offensive line before next Thursday, one just has to downgrade the Ravens’ overall outlook. With three completely inexperienced starters, let’s be real here; they will have their hands full for quite a while. There will be plenty of mistakes early on, and a need to “prove it” that they can each physically compete. And the tragic loss of Joe D. just makes it that much worse for this group.
Moreover, everyone acts as if Ronnie Stanley will be just fine. Last year was a disaster. Fans don’t know how much of last year’s dismal overall performance was the product of a bum left knee. We are about to find out. But if we see the 2023 Ronnie Stanley, I just can’t imagine the Ravens will be competing at the very top of the AFC; the three “rookies” (Faalele is a rookie guard as a practical matter) will all have to excel from the get-go.
Cornerback
As I’m writing this the Ravens released Pepe Williams. This was not a surprise. I’ve previously been a Williams fan, but he played poorly in the pre-season, has an injury history, and doesn’t offer anything on special teams.
The Ravens are otherwise reasonably well stocked at corner. Four are locks: Marlon Humphrey, Brandon Stephens, Nate Wiggins and Jalyn Armour-Davis. T.J. Tampa is the fifth, if healthy. Arthur Maulet makes six, but he will wind up on the injury list to start the season. The Ravens could keep a sixth and I would guess Trayvon Mullen if that happens. But not necessarily.
At safety, Kyle Hamilton, Marcus Williams, Eddie Jackson, and Ar’Darius Washington are locks. I think Beau Brade showed quite a bit up at the line of scrimmage, though I didn’t see much to evaluate him with on the back end. He should wind up on the practice squad. The same for Sanoussi Kane.
Outside Linebacker – Problem Area Number 2
This is another serious issue at this moment. I’m expecting a lot of Odafe Oweh, if he can stay completely healthy. But then what? I’d like to believe in David Ojabo, but I’m not there yet. Though he looks quicker than he did last year (which is critical to his style of play), he remains a liability on first down. And he’s untested against first stringers. I foresee a lot of Malik Harrison on the edge on those plays.
Tavius Robinson – I hate to say this about any player – is just so stiff and unathletic. At this point, Robinson is just a body, and definitely not a playmaker. This means the Ravens are really counting on Kyle Van Noy, who must have another strong season. There’s real risk in this group. Can Adisa Isaac help? Not early on, that’s for sure. And it always alarms me when young players consistently have soft tissue injuries; those are the type of players who just can’t stay on the field. With so little practice time, it’s hard to see the Ravens utilizing Isaac for quite some time once (if) he gets healthy. We just don’t know what he might bring.
Now quite a few Ravens fans aren’t even happy with Oweh. Add in the uncertainty with Ojabo, the demands on the senior citizen Van Noy, the unknowable with Isaac and – well – not much with Robinson at this point, and this group is very vulnerable.
Joe Evans should make the practice squad.
Inside Linebacker
Given that Malik Harrison is needed on the edge, I see the Ravens keeping five inside linebackers. Who’s the fifth? Josh Ross? Someone not on the roster. Who knows?
I’ll be back in the loop after final roster moves at the end of the week.
