Practice Report: Two Smallest Defenders Stood Out in a Physical Practice
Ryan Mink, BaltimoreRavens.com
Defensive backs Ar’Darius Washington (5-foot-8, 177 pounds) and Damarion Williams (5-10, 180) made multiple plays during Monday’s session. Both have seen more practice reps with the first team due to injuries to Kyle Hamilton and Arthur Maulet, and they’re making the most of them.
Wide receiver Rashod Bateman returned to practice but pulled up short on a route early during one-on-ones and shut it down after that. Harbaugh said Bateman is working his way back. Rookie cornerback T.J. Tampa (sports hernia surgery) made his training camp debut and did only individual drills as he also builds up.
Cornerback Brandon Stephens had a good day. He forced multiple incompletions during one-on-ones and broke up a pass an extended play when he had a very long time to chase. Running mate Marlon Humphrey decked wide receiver Keith Kirkwood after one catch. The Ravens secondary was stingy.
A physical practice suits Tavius Robinson just fine. He came off the edge for a sack on one play, then bench pressed Josh Jones for a tackle for loss in the run game on the next play. Outside Linebackers Coach Chuck Smith raved about Robinson after practice, calling him a “glass eater” who never passes up a rep.
Cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis came up with an interception on a pass that tipped off Agholor’s hands. Armour-Davis was another standout on the day, including breaking up a deep pass during one-on-ones that was intended for Kirkwood.
Ravens 53-man roster projection following preseason opener: How will the O-line shake out?
Jeff Zrebiec, The Athletic
Offensive line (9)
Who makes the cut?: Ronnie Stanley, Andrew Vorhees, Tyler Linderbaum, Daniel Faalele, Patrick Mekari, Roger Rosengarten, Josh Jones, Ben Cleveland, Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu
On the bubble: Tashawn Manning, Nick Samac
Long shots: Corey Bullock, Darrian Dalcourt, Julian Pearl, Darrell Simpson
Toughest call: The final one or two offensive line spots. The Ravens could keep 10 offensive linemen, which could save Aumavae-Laulu and give Samac, a seventh-round pick, a better chance to stick. At this point, it feels like the Ravens have eight roster locks with three or four linemen in the mix for one or two spots.
Outlook: This remains tough to handicap because the Ravens are still trying to figure out their five starters. It’s also possible a veteran gets added in the coming weeks. Cleveland’s emergence as a potential backup center should take him off the bubble. There’s a case to be made that he should be the front-runner to start at right guard. Aumavae-Laulu may need to beat out Manning, a second-year undrafted free agent, to secure a spot. That’s not a given. Manning has some fans in the building. That Samac has been behind Dalcourt, an undrafted free agent, at different points this summer feels a bit ominous for the rookie center.
Ravens 53-man roster projection: Here’s where things stand after preseason opener
Brian Wacker, The Baltimore Sun
Cornerback (7): Marlon Humphrey, Brandon Stephens, Nate Wiggins, Arthur Maulet, T.J. Tampa, Jalyn Armour-Davis, Damarion “Pepe” Williams
The Ravens got good news when they discovered Wiggins’ injury against the Eagles was not serious and thus he’ll likely be back in time for the season opener. Maulet’s knee injury, however, could keep him out for the first couple of games of the season, Harbaugh conceded Sunday. Tampa also remains out after undergoing double sports hernia surgery, though the team expects him to be back soon. Trayvon Mullen, meanwhile, is back from a shoulder injury and practiced Sunday and could be in the fold if injuries pile up.
Safety (4): Marcus Williams, Kyle Hamilton, Ar’Darius Washington, Eddie Jackson
The Ravens got a momentary scare when Hamilton suffered an apparent leg injury late in practice Sunday. Harbaugh said the injury does not appear to be serious and that the All-Pro will be fine. Rookie seventh-rounder Sanoussi Kane played 20 snaps and had two tackles and missed another against the Eagles and suffered a stinger in the game. But it’s an uphill battle for him to make the 53-man roster anyway, especially when the Ravens boast one of the league’s best safety duos in Hamilton and Williams, a veteran in Jackson and the versatile Washington.
2024 NFL Preseason Week 1 rookie grades: No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams shines in Bears debut
Chad Reuter, NFL.com
The Ravens started Wiggins against the Eagles in their preseason opener, and Philadelphia tested the rookie throughout the first half. Wiggins’ speed helped him box out his man on a poorly thrown go route early and he gave no quarter on a couple of comeback routes, working through the receiver to prevent completions. The first-round pick gave up a first-down completion because of a false step and missed his jam in the 5-yard area late in the half. Wiggins watched a touchdown late in the first quarter, getting lost in the inside action while in zone coverage instead of picking up the running back entering the flat. He did his job in zone later, though, coming off one target to challenge another receiver and prevent a sideline completion. The lean corner executed a couple of nice cut tackles in the open field to prevent gains, though better-blocking receivers controlled him in the run game.
Grade: B
Ranking NFL quarterbacks by trait: Best arm, accuracy, more
Dan Orlovsky, ESPN
Pocket presence
2. Joe Burrow, Bengals
3. C.J. Stroud, Texans
4. Matthew Stafford, Rams
5. Lamar Jackson, Ravens
A quarterback with strong pocket presence operates effectively in the pocket even when things are chaotic around him. Can he recognize and avoid pressure? Can he move efficiently and calmly under duress? When I built this top 10, I looked for those who were at their best when the situation was at its worst.
Rushing ability
1. Lamar Jackson, Ravens
2. Josh Allen, Bills
4. Jalen Hurts, Eagles
In 2015, there were 384 designed QB runs leaguewide. Last season, there were 832 — and that was actually down from the 919 in 2022. So it’s clearly a massive part of the game today in comparison to a decade ago, as offensive coordinators lean into mobility at the position. Scrambling is key, too, but I really honed in on the designed carries here — the speed, instincts, physicality and elusiveness to break big plays.
Second-reaction ability
2. Josh Allen, Bills
3. Lamar Jackson, Ravens
4. Brock Purdy, 49ers
5. Jordan Love, Packers
Being able to make a play is central to QB success, and the best in the league excel at making off-schedule and off-platform throws. These second-reaction passes from different arm angles — often on the move — can be the difference between moving the sticks and a stalled drive. They require serious creativity at times. Mahomes — the obvious No. 1 on the list — is elite in this trait.