Ravens Depth Chart 2.0

After the first three days of Organized Team Activities, there is a clearer picture of where the Ravens stand on their depth chart. A number of undrafted rookies have been singed, all draft picks are signed, and some players waived since the last look we took at the depth chart. The roster now stands at 90 players. Here is where I believe the Ravens stand, with the players who should make it in bold (53 of them) and the bubble players italicized. Not bold, not italicized, not likely to make the squad.

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     Offense

QB – Joe Flacco, Ryan Mallett, Jerrod Johnson, Josh Johnson

RB – Justin Forsett, Buck Allen, Kenneth Dixon (R), Lorenzo Taliaferro, Terrence West, Trent Richardson

FB – Kyle Juszczyk

WR – Steve Smith Sr., Mike Wallace, Breshad Perriman, Kamar Aiken, Michael Campanaro (kick return), Chris Moore (R), Keenan Reynolds (R), Jeremy Butler, Daniel Brown, Kailen Clay, Chris Matthews

TE – Ben Watson, Crockett Gillmore, Maxx Williams, Dennis Pitta, Nick Boyle (Suspended), Darren Waller

T – Ronnie Stanley (R), Eugene Monroe, Alex Lewis (R), James Hurst, Blaine Clausell, Stephane Nembot (R)

G – Marshal Yanda, Rick Wagner, Ryan Jensen, Vladimir Ducasse, De’Ondre Wesley, Jerrell Broxton (R)

C – Jeremy Zuttah, John Urschel, Anthony Fabiano (R), Matt Skura (R)

     Defense

DT – Brandon Williams, Carl Davis, Trevon Coley (R), Michael Pierce (R)

DE – Timmy Jernigan, Lawrence Guy, Bronson Kafusi (R), Willie Henry (R), Brent Urban, Kapron Lewis-Moore

ILB – C.J. Mosley, Zachary Orr, Kamalei Correa (R), Albert McClellan, Arthur Brown, Cavellis Luckett (R), Patrick Onwuasor (R)

OLB – Terrell Suggs, Elvis Dumervil, Za’Darius Smith, Matt Judon (R), Chris Carter, Brennen Beyer, Victor Ochi (R), Mario Ojemudia (R)

CB – Jimmy Smith, Shareece Wright, Jerraud Powers, Tavon Young (R), Kyle Arrington, Maurice Canady (R), Will Davis, Julian Wilson, Sheldon Price

S – Lardarius Webb, Eric Weddle, Kendrick Lewis, Anthony Levine, Matt Elam, Terrence Brooks, Jumal Rolle, Sam Brown (R)

     Special Teams

K – Justin Tucker, Will Lutz (R)

P – Sam Koch

LS – Morgan Cox

Quarterback – Joe Flacco is ahead of schedule on his rehab. During OTAs he was in attendance in street clothes. Flacco hopes to be ready to roll for the first day of training camp come late July. Ryan Mallett took first team reps in his absence.

Running Back – Justin Forsett returned to action for OTAs after a broken forearm cut his 2015 season short. Buck Allen and Kenneth Dixon should fit into the mix. Word is the Trent Richardson is far from football shape, despite passing his first test. Losing 20 pounds to earn a contract with the Ravens. With that, I’ve dropped him to the bottom of the chart. Zero guaranteed money is attached to Richardson in the event the Ravens do not retain him. Terrence Magee was waived on May 6^th.

Fullback – Yes. They have one.

Wide Receiver –Breshad Perriman was out there going full speed in OTAs. As long as he’s healthy, he’s got a spot on this team. I have Keenan Reynolds on the bubble. Let’s be honest. He has potential as an athlete who could be dangerous in the open field. Slot receiver, kick returner maybe. I can’t see the Ravens carrying seven WRs and you’ll see why in the next group. So Reynolds is a Michael Campanaro injury away from making it. Marlon Brown was waived on May 13^th.

Tight End – Dennis Pitta was back in action last week as well. Reports were that he looks like his old self again. Should be noted he took a $4M paycut in base salary this season. If he can play, the Ravens will keep him. Crockett Gillmore saw the field too after offseason shoulder surgery. There is Maxx Williams, Ben Watson, the Ravens could break camp with four tight ends. Making it less likely that they hold onto seven wide receivers. Nick Boyle will have to serve suspension making him a candidate to be released. Darren Waller is converting to tight end from receiver and I just don’t see room for him.

O-Line – So I moved Rick Wagner inside to guard to replace Kelechi Osemele on the left side. He’s probably a better option than Ryan Jensen and John Urschel there. This allows Ronnie Stanley and Eugene Monroe to man the tackle spots, with rookie Alex Lewis to rotate in. Also with Urschel and Jensen rotating in at guard when/if Marshal Yanda ever needs a breather. Jeremy Zuttah is the center, and hopefully given the time on IR last year, nagging injuries aren’t an issue moving forward. Zuttah at 100% is a good center. On May 16^th, the Ravens signed Vladimir Ducasse (G) to a one-year deal worth $760K. Ducasse started 11 games for the Bears in 2015 and should provide competition and motivation for Jensen and Urschel who need improvement.

D-Line –Two rookies could make the back end of the lineup in Bronson Kaufusi and Willie Henry. Brent Urban and Kapron-Lewis Moore are bubble players for me who are more than capable of making the team. Maybe the Ravens keep one of them on the 53-man as well and take one of the DB’s off that I project for special teams depth.

Inside Linebacker – During OTAs, it’s been talked about that rookie Kamalei Correa could play inside linebacker. He’s got a skillset for it with speed to cover sideline to sideline and coverage skills in the passing game. He’d be a nice compliment to C.J. Mosley there in the middle of the 3-4, so that’s where I list him for now. It also adds depth to the unit with Zach Orr and special teams ace, Albert McClellan there. For Arthur Brown, this has to be his last chance.

Outside Linebacker – If Correa moves inside, Za’Darius Smith could be in the Courtney Upshaw role, starting along with Terrelll Suggs while Elvis Dumervil rotates in. Matt Judon was the most explosive edge rusher at the combine as far as measurables go. Will be interesting to see if he can transition from Division II Grand Valley State to the NFL, and he should get more opportunities if Correa moves to the inside.

Secondary – Since our last look, Jerraud Powers was signed through free agency, formerly of the Cardinals. Rookie Tavon Young would most likely make the team, but a lot of guys are in a wide open competition that will likely be won on special teams. Usually about 12 DBs are retained as special teams units rely on those guys at the bottom of the chart. Of the group, Will Davis could be let go with no salary cap ramifications, so for now, he is on my bubble. Kyle Arrington accepted a pay cut so I expect him to be kept. Maurice Canady is Davis’ direct competition as a CB. But if any of Matt Elam, Terrence Brooks, Anthony Levine, Kendrick Lewis don’t make the grade, it opens the door for Davis to earn a spot.

Special Teams – Justin Tucker is kicking for his long term contract in 2016. Sam Koch, Morgan Cox, as solid a special team unit as you’ll find.

In summary, you can see that the Ravens will be faced with some very tough decisions. Some recent draft picks might have to really improve in camp to earn their spot. Matt Elam and Arthur Brown, the top two picks form the 2013 draft come to mind. Terrence Brooks and Lorenzo Taliaferro were third and fourth round picks in 2014. There is a lot of potential in Brent Urban and Kapron-Lewis Moore, but injuries have hampered their learning curve and development. Keenan Reynolds is fantastic story but the WR position is so deep. I’d hate to see a player with Darren Waller’s measurables at 6’6” that can run a 4.4 40-yard dash be sent off.

Any of these guys could be an injury away from making the team. They also have the ability to force their way onto it with an exceptional offseason and training camp. I wouldn’t see any of these guys clearing waivers to make it to the practice squad for addition later either. Some tough decisions ahead for sure. Some good football players are not going to make it.