Projecting the 2018 Baltimore Ravens 53-man roster


The NFL’s preseason is over. The 2018 regular season starts in six days on Thursday night, with the Philadelphia Eagles hosting the Atlanta Falcons. Before that, though, every team has to go through the arduous task of trimming their rosters’ of 80+ down to 53 players.

The Baltimore Ravens are about to embark on a crucial season. After failing to reach the playoffs in each of the last three years, the pressure is on the staff and many players to get back this year. To do this the Ravens have to pick the right 53 to kick the season off hot.

With many new faces and a hell of a lot of depth after a 5-0 preseason, the competition for roster spots has been fierce. With that said, this is the roster I believe the Ravens should choose for 2018.

Quarterback: Joe Flacco, Robert Griffin III, Lamar Jackson

QB is probably the position most discussed for the Ravens. Do they keep three QBs on their roster for the first time since 2009? Or do they role with their rookie QB as their sole backup?

As far as I’m concerned, they have to keep three. Jackson has shown his upside plenty of times this preseason. He has shown improvement as a traditional QB, but not nearly enough to take charge of the backup role. If Flacco were to miss time, I don’t think Jackson is ready to take the reins and lead this team. Griffin on the other hand has shown confidence and an ability to run the offense as a traditional QB on a snap-to-snap basis. He has to stay.

Running Back: Alex Collins, Javorius Allen, Kenneth Dixon, Patrick Ricard (FB)

An argument could be made that Gus Edwards, Mark Thompson or De’Lance Turner could have made the roster as the fourth RB, but if the Ravens are going to keep three QBs (also considering injuries/suspensions at other positions) there isn’t space for a fourth RB. Nevertheless, Collins, Allen and Dixon give the Ravens a trio of versatile, experienced and talented RBs. There is nothing to worry about here.

Wide Receiver: Michael Crabtree, John Brown, Willie Snead, Chris Moore, Jordan Lasley

Another position that will be affected by keeping three QBs. Most notably, I think Lasley should beat out former first round pick Breshad Perriman for the final roster spot. Perriman has been a monumental bust, Lasley is younger and cheaper, he’s also a better receiver. Perriman runs a limited route tree, is one-dimensional, has inconsistent hands and has struggled to stay on the field. Lasley gives the Ravens a more rounded receiver with more upside at this point. The other four are no-doubters.

Tight End: Hayden Hurst, Mark Andrews, Nick Boyle, Maxx Williams

Injuries have kind of forced the Ravens to keep four tight ends, though, for what it’s worth, I think they would have any way. Hurst and Andrews are highly touted rookies who have impressed during preseason. Hurst being injured for at least a couple of weeks into the season almost secures Williams’ spot. Of the four, Williams is the least secure.

Offensive Line: Ronnie Stanley, James Hurst, Orlando Brown Jr., Marshal Yanda, Jermaine Eluemunor, Alex Lewis, Matt Skura, Bradley Bozeman

Offensive line is somewhat of a question mark for the Ravens, and with more talent at other positions I don’t think any more than eight o-lineman should be kept around. That’s tough news for Nico Siragusa. Siragusa is coming back from a knee injury that cost him his rookie year. In that time Eluemunor got valuable experience that books his spot. In addition, Bozeman, a sixth round pick this year, has impressed during the preseason and has no health concerns.

Defensive Line: Brandon Williams, Michael Pierce, Brent Urban, Willie Henry, Chris Wormley, Zach Sieler

Defensive line was possibly the toughest position group to pick. There are a lot of talented players in this group which means several will miss out on a roster spot. The unfortunate ones for me are Bronson Kaufusi and Carl Davis. Partially due to injuries, Kaufusi has never been able to make a consistent impact as many hoped he would. Davis on the other hand is a surprise. He is experienced and versatile, but due to needs at other positions and Patrick Ricard’s performance on defense in addition to offense, I think Davis will miss a spot in favour of the younger Zach Sieler and depth at other positions.

Inside Linebacker: C.J. Mosely, Patrick Onwuasor, Kenny Young, Chris Board, Albert McClellan

The first three names shouldn’t be a surprise, however, keeping five probably is. Board and McClellan both play the same role for this team, being a special teams standout. So why keep both? Kenny Young’s health is a question mark. He injured his knee in the Ravens’ preseason finale and may miss some time, and having just three inside linebackers wouldn’t be ideal. So, what would have been Carl Davis’ spot on the roster is now McClellan’s. Look for McClellan or Board to be an early season cut depending on Young’s availability.

Outside Linebacker: Terrell Suggs, Matt Judon, Tyus Bowser, Za’Darius Smith, Tim Williams

Outside of special teams this is the easiest position group to predict. Suggs and Judon are the unquestioned starters, while Smith, Bowser and Williams are all young and improving members of a strong rotation of pass rushers who had little competition this preseason.

Defensive Back: Brandon Carr, Tavon Young, Marlon Humphrey, Maurice Canady, Anthony Averett, Anthony Levine Sr., Eric Weddle, Tony Jefferson, Chuck Clark, Kai Nacua

This is another strongly contested position group. If Stanley Jean-Baptiste hadn’t fractured his arm against the Colts, DeShon Elliot hadn’t done the same against the Dolphins and Jimmy Smith hadn’t been suspended for the first four games of the season it would have been even more competitive. Averett, Canady and Nacua are the beneficiaries but one of them is going to be the casualty once Smith’s suspension is up. That’s likely Nacua who the Ravens will hope to keep on their practice squad, I'm sure.

Special Teams: Justin Tucker, Sam Koch, Morgan Cox

Finally, the easiest position group to predict. Better known as the ‘Wolfpack’, the Ravens would be stupid to break this up. Arguably the best special teams trio in the NFL, they are all a lock to make the roster.

Of course, this would likely only be the roster for a week or so of the season. Injuries are inevitable, performances will change once the season starts and who knows what will happen off the field throughout the season. For now, though, I think this roster gives the Ravens a good chance of being competitive early in the season. It will be a tough year, with every team in the division seemingly taking a step forward - yes, even the Browns. Can the Ravens stand out? Let's hope so.

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