Ravens depth chart: 5.0

One preseason game down, three to go. The landscape didn’t get much clearer after game one, some questions left unanswered. But a few new additions and a few guys drawing attention (good and bad) have shaken the chart up a bit.

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New additions are denoted in bold. Players on the bubble are denoted with an asterisk*. Injured players denoted with a +. Players whose stock is rising in green. Players whose stock is falling in red.

 

QB-Joe Flacco, Tyrod Taylor, Caleb Hanie*

RB- Ray Rice, Bernard Pierce+, Bobby Rainey, Anthony Allen*

FB- Vonta Leach, Kyle Juszczyk (4)

TE- Visanthe Shiancoe, Dallas Clark, Ed Dickson+*, Billy Bajema*, Matt Furstenburg* (UD)

WR- Torrey Smith, Jacoby Jones, Brandon Stokley, Deonte Thompson+, Tandon Doss, David Reed, Laquan Williams, Marlon Brown (UD)*,  Aaron Mellette (7)* , Tommy Streeter*

LT- Bryant McKinnie, Ricky Wagner (5), Ramon Harewood

LG- Kelechi Osemele, Jah Reid

C- A.Q. Shipley, Gino Gradkowski

RG- Marshall Yanda, Jah Reid

RT- Michael Oher, Ricky Wagner, Ramon Harewood 

 

DT- Arthur Jones, Brandon Williams (3), Deangelo Tyson*

NT- Haloti Ngata, Terrence Cody*

DE – Chris Canty, Marcus Spears+

Rush LB- Terrell Suggs, Pernell McPhee, Adrian Hamilton*

Sam LB – Elvis Dumervil, Courtney Upshaw, John Simon (4)

Mike LB- Daryl Smith, Albert McClellan

Will LB – Josh Bynes, Arthur Brown (2), Bryan Hall, Jameel McClain+*

CB- Lardarius Webb, Corey Graham (Nickel), Jimmy Smith, Chykie Brown, Asa Jackson (Suspended 8 gms), Chris Johnson*+, Michael Huff

SS- James Ihedigbo, Matt Elam (1), Christian Thompson (Suspended 4 gms), Michael Huff, Marc Anthony (7)*

FS- Michael Huff, Matt Elam, Omar Brown

 

K- Justin Tucker

P- Sam Koch

LS- Morgan Cox

 

PUP –Jameel McClain (Spinal cord bruise)

Long-term injuries – Dennis Pitta (Dislocated hip), Ryan Jensen (6) (Broken Foot)

 

Changes since the last depth chart:

Offense:  Bobby Rainey made a case as a possible return specialist option. If so, he probably also becomes the 3^rd RB and pushes Anthony Allen down the chart. Allen didn’t get many touches in game one either.  Welcome back Brandon Stokely. None of the other WRs who had a realistic shot the the WR2 and WR3 spots have stepped up to claim it, including Jacoby Jones. I think Jones gets more snaps opposite Smith, but Stokley steps right in as the WR3 and slot specialist. Laquan Williams stock is up after an impressive first game. Dallas Clark will also be a slot option and will battle with Shiancoe for TE1 while Dickson is out, and maybe longer. I think Billy Bajema only makes the roster if Dickson isn’t ready for week 1. Also think that we see more double TE sets with Clark since he is not known for run blocking, undersized for his position. Gino Gradkowski and A.Q. Shipley are likely equal in the battle for the starting center job. But Shipley will get the start in Tonights’s matchup with the Falcons. They will alternate starting the next three preseason games, but Shipley showed me more last week. Marshall Yanda returned to practice and looks great. Juan Castillio mentioned that Ricky Wagner is in line to back up at either of the tackle positions, citing that he has performed well against the likes of Suggs and Dumervil.

Injuries (+): Ed Dickson with a hamstring, possible return week 1. Bernard Pierce has participated in some drills, but it is unknown if he’ll play tonight. Deonte Thompson will be held out of tonight’s action with a sprained foot. Should be back for the Carolina game next week.

Defense:  Adrian Hamilton is making a strong case to be on the roster week 1. If so, he’ll likely by the 53^rd man. Lardarius Webb is back on the field and looking good. Chykie Brown and Marc Anthony had poor showings in the first game. Omar Brown seeing a good bit of time at FS, as well as rookie Matt Elam when Huff isn’t back there.

Injuries (+):Jameel McClain is on the PUP list. It’s questionable whether or not we’ll see him in time for the regular season. Marcus Spears dealing with a hamstring. Chris Johnson, undisclosed injury.

Guys on the 53-man bubble:

Caleb Hanie – On the bubble should Coach Harbaugh want to roll with just 2 QBs given Flacco’s durability. Emergency QB in the past, Anquan Boldin, is no longer here.

Anthony Allen – Limited opportunities in game one. The 3^rd RB spot could go to possible KR Bobby Rainey.

Marlon Brown –  A lot of questions asked this week about this guy, and the Ravens staff sounds excited about him. Undrafted out of Georgia, and eight months removed from an ACL injury, he seems to be getting a lot of attention. Sounds like he’s got a chance to make this team if he keeps up the good work.

Tommy Streeter, Aaron Mellete– Streeter missed a practice on a cool day due to heat. Enough said. He also has the drops and didn’t see much action in game one. Aaron Mellete made a tough catch for a TD in game one, and some nice grabs in Sunday’s open practice. However was sent off the field in another practice for being, as Coach Harbaugh called him, “lackadaisical and lazy.” There are so many receivers with the addition of Stokley.

Ed Dickson – May not be ready for week 1.

Billy Bajema, Matt Furstenburg – The singing of Shiancoe pushed them down the chart. The signing of Dallas Clark pushes them even further down.

Deangelo Tyson – There’s only so many spots on the D-Line to go around.

Terrance Cody – Playing better, had a decent couple days at camp according to reports since the Bucs game. Needs to keep it up.

Adrian Hamilton – Moved up from off the radar to the bubble.

Jameel McClain – Still not cleared for contact.

Marc Anthony – A terrible game in the preseason opener. Something the last draft pick couldn’t afford.

Chris Johnson – A log jam at the CB position. The old saying, “last hired first fired” may apply here. He also sat out practice Tuesday with an undisclosed injury. Asa Jackson missing eight games maybe his only chance of making it.