The first-round cornerback made some nice plays doing what he does best while the second-round tackle keeps coming on strong.
The Baltimore Ravens hosted the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday Night Football in Week 11 and received significant contributions from several members of their 2024 rookie class.
Though only four of the team’s nine draft picks dressed for the game, their first two selections played major roles in Baltimore’s 35-34 victory to complete a season-sweep of Cincinnati for the second year in a row.
Third-round outside linebacker Adisa Isaac, fifth-round running back Rasheen Ali and sixth-round center Nick Samac were all inactive for Thursday’s game. Undrafted rookie safety Beau Brade was active for the fourth time in the last five games for special teams duties. The Ravens waived running back Chris Collier earlier in the week to make room on the 53-man roster for recently-acquired cornerback Tre’Davious White.
Here is how the first-year players fared in their latest taste of regular season NFL action.
CB Nate Wiggins
Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images
In his second game back from a shoulder injury and an illness at the end of October, the first-round rookie played 51 defensive snaps, his most since Week 4 and tied for his second-most of the season. Wiggins was most effective in man coverage, but struggled with zone responsibilities, especially on the Bengals’ final touchdown.
Wiggins was called for a borderline defensive pass interference penalty in the first quarter on a third-and-long that kept the Bengals offense moving. However, he helped end the drive with blanket coverage on third-round wide receiver Jermaine Burton to force an incompletion on a fourth-and-short eight plays later. Wiggins made some other impressive plays in man coverage, including multiple reps against Chase that ended in incompletions.
— Ryan Mink (@ryanmink) November 8, 2024
OT Roger Rosengarten
Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images
In his seventh start at right tackle, the second-round lineman had another strong all-around game and continued to make strides in pass protection after struggling in recent weeks. Pro Football Focus credited him with giving up four pressures, the second-most among Ravens offensive linemen.
Nevertheless, Rosengarten deserves just as much credit as the rest of the offensive line for limiting the Bengals to zero sacks, their second shutout this season. While his technique and hand placement were never an issue, Rosengarten’s ability to anchor in his pass sets has improved, especially against bigger power rushers off the edge.
Swish. pic.twitter.com/2pvgkAuHI8
— Ryan Mink (@ryanmink) November 8, 2024
WR Devontez Walker
Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images
After being a healthy scratch for the first six games of the season, the fourth-round wideout was active for his fourth career game and played exclusively on special teams for the third time. His 20 special teams.snaps were the third-most of any player on the team. While he wasn’t credited with an assisted tackle, Walker did force Burton to change direction on a kick return in the second half, which led him right into the arms of one of his teammates.
DB Sanoussi Kane
Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images
For the eighth time this season, the seventh-round safety played exclusively on special teams where he recorded his seventh tackle of his rookie year on the Ravens’ second punt of the game. Kane joined forces with inside linebacker Kristian Welch to bring down Bengals returner Trenton Irwin for a return of -4 yards. He continues to prove himself as a core special teams contributor with 24 snaps, tying tight end Charlie Kolar and inside linebackers Chris Board and Malik Harrison for the team-high on Thursday.
DB Beau Brade
Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images
For the fourth time in the last five weeks, the undrafted rookie safety out of Maryland was active on game day and exclusively played special teams. His 18 snaps were his second-most of the season.