The first-round cornerback’s absence was painfully obvious while the second-round tackle contributed to an inconsistent showing from the offensive line in his fifth career start.
The Baltimore Ravens stayed on the road in Week 8 of the regular season to take on the Cleveland Browns in an AFC North showdown on Sunday afternoon and received contributions from multiple members of their 2024 rookie class.
Just three of the team’s nine draft selections were dressed, and one absence played a major role in the Ravens’ 29-24 loss to their division rival.
Four drafted rookies on the 53-man roster did not participate: first-round cornerback Nate Wiggins, third-round outside linebacker Adisa Isaac, fifth-round running back Rasheen Ali and sixth-round center Nick Samac. Fourth-round cornerback T.J. Tampa was placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury earlier in the week, and safety Beau Brade and running back Chris Collier, both undrafted rookies, were active for this game.
Here is how the first-year players fared in their latest taste of regular season NFL action.
CB Nate Wiggins
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The Ravens were without three-time Pro Bowl veteran Marlon Humphrey due to a knee injury and after being listed as questionable with an illness that prevented him from traveling with the team, the first-round rookie missed the game as well. While the defense had Arthur Maulet to fill in at nickel, Wiggins’ absence as one of the top three corners on the team proved costly as the Ravens were forced to turn to third-year pro Jalyn Armour-Davis. The 2022 fourth-rounder was playing in his first game back from injured reserve and was targeted by the Browns for several big plays, including a 22-yard touchdown on a key third down in the fourth quarter. Wiggins, meanwhile, has yet to allow a touchdown on 129 coverage snaps in his six games this year.
OT Roger Rosengarten
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In his fifth start at right tackle, the second-round lineman continued to struggle in pass protection but showed more progress in the run game. Rosengarten surrendered four pressures, according to Pro Football Focus, and finished with a pass-blocking grade of 46.0 after going up against former Ravens pass rusher Za’Darius Smith for most of the game.
Rosengarten continued to make positive strides as a run blocker, including a key block on Derrick Henry’s two-yard rushing touchdown, which gave the Ravens a one-point lead late in the fourth quarter. While he is becoming more of a road grader in run blocking, improving his consistency in pass protection will be vital to the offense’s success through the air.
TOUCHDOWN @KingHenry_2!!!!!
TUNE IN ON CBS!! pic.twitter.com/RSQ41pSt1H
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) October 27, 2024
WR Devontez Walker
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After making his regular season debut last week, the fourth-round wideout was active for the second time and played exclusively on special teams. His 23 special teams snaps were the second-most of any player on the team. He covered kicks and punts well but didn’t make any tackles on either unit.
DB Sanoussi Kane
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Despite playing exclusively on special teams for the seventh time this season, the seventh-round safety was able to record a career-high three total tackles including two solos covering kicks and punts. He also downed a Jordan Stout punt at the 14-yard line in the second half. Kane’s 24 special teams snaps tied three other Ravens for a game-high.
RB Chris Collier
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With veteran return specialist Deonte Harty on injured reserve for at least another two weeks, the Ravens turned to the undrafted rookie to join the kick return unit. Collier tried to make the most of his opportunities by fielding six of his seven returns, which backfired throughout the game. Collier declined easy touchbacks and failed to advance the ball to at least the 30-yard line on multiple occasions. His longest return was just 24 yards and head coach John Harbaugh told reporters both after the game and during his Monday press conference that Colliers didn’t have the “green light” to return as many attempts as he did.
“Those balls should’ve been kept in the end zone,” Harbaugh said Sunday. “So, we set ourselves up on that one. That was not good.”
DB Beau Brade
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For the second time in the last three weeks, the undrafted rookie safety out of Maryland was active for a game and played exclusively on special teams. Even though he didn’t record a tackle or down a punt inside the 20-yard line, Brade’s 18 snaps in that phase of the game were the fourth-most on the team.