Ravens Rookies: What to expect from the Class of ’15

They’ve only played in two games, and two preseason games at that, yet the Baltimore Ravens rookies’ roles are already becoming apparent. With the exception of Breshad Perriman, the Ravens rookies have made their presence felt through those two games.

Discuss in the BSL Forums here…

Let’s take a look at how they’ve been used so far, and what that means for the regular season.

Maxx Williams, TE

After rumors of Maxx Williams’ struggles in training camp, seeing Williams on the field on the third play of the first game was a bit of a surprise. Crockett Gillmore got the start, but the first game against the New Orleans Saints proved that Williams will play a big role this year. That Williams made the biggest play of the game, a 22-yard pickup on 4th-and-20, proved the Ravens were justified in giving Williams such a big role off the bat. It was the kind of big play that Williams made so many times at Minnesota.

Against the Eagles, Williams again got on the field early, this time split out wide.

Williams seems to have cemented a role as the No. 2 tight end. He has spent some time split wide, and he has spent some time alongside Crockett Gillmore in more traditional two tight end sets. It’s a great role for Williams, as he can be the primary pass catcher while letting Gillmore handle the bulk of the blocking chores.

I’d like to see the Ravens try to feature Williams a bit more this preseason. We haven’t seen him go up for the ball yet, which was a strength of his in college. Still, Williams has made some impressive plays. He will look like the 21-year old he is at times this year, especially when blocking, but he should also become a big part of the passing game almost immediately. And with some time in an NFL weight program, the sky is the limit for the young tight end.

 Carl Davis, DT

Carl Davis has already started a game this preseason, and he played exceptionally well against the New Orleans Saints. Surprisingly, Davis played some nose tackle, which allowed Brandon Williams to kick outside.

Davis has played nose tackle for the most part this preseason, which is surprising considering Brandon Williams‘ success at the position. Could Davis push Williams to the outside?

For now, the answer is no. With Timmy Jernigan back in the lineup against the Philadelphia Eagles, Williams was back inside and Davis’ role among the starters was significantly reduced. When he did get back into the lineup, Davis played the nose again. The Ravens may have been hesitant to use the physically developing Davis against the Eagles quick-paced attack.

Still, Davis will play this year, and a lot. By the end of the season, he may even play more reps than Chris Canty. His hand usage has been a pleasant surprise, and his ability to penetrate at 320 pounds should make Davis a fixture in the defensive line rotation.

Za’Darius Smith, OLB

Hustle, stiffness, speed and an inability to set the edge: Za’Darius Smith has tantalized with potential and frustrated with limitations. His best plays have come as a result of his great instincts and hustle, yet he has been depressingly blockable to this point in preseason. His repertoire of pass rush moves is next to non-existent, and he has gotten pushed around in the ground game.

Considering that the Ravens needed a third pass rusher, Smith has been a disappointment. The potential there is obvious, though. He’s constantly around the football and never stops trying to get to the quarterback. Like Maxx Williams, Smith needs a year in an NFL strength and conditioning program before he is ready for prime time.

Javorius Allen, RB

Javorius Allen was well behind Lorenzo Taliaferro in the race to spell Justin Forsett until Taliaferro’s unfortunate knee injury. So far, Allen has impressed with his vision and acceleration, but the knock on him has always been about his ability to pick up yardage after contact. To this point, Allen has not answered that question. When Taliaferro comes back, expect Allen to be somewhat of an afterthought in this offense.

Tray Walker, CB

The good news: Tray Walker was one of the first cornerbacks off the bench against the Philadelphia Eagles, and he didn’t look completely out of place against high-level competition. His coverage skills are very, very raw, however. Walker may be above Asa Jackson now in the cornerback pecking order, but he’s well behind Kyle Arrington and Rashaan Melvin for snaps behind the presumptive starters.

Nick Boyle, TE

Nick Boyle looks like a very complete player early in his career; more so, in fact, than Maxx Williams. If Crockett Gillmore went down with an injury, I wouldn’t be shocked to see Boyle take his place in the starting lineup, allowing Williams to maintain his role as the No. 2 tight end.

Robert Myers, OG

Perhaps the biggest disappointment among the Ravens’ rookies to this point, Robert Myers has not looked great against NFL-level competition. The Ravens hate to cut draft picks, yet Myers seems to be well behind guys like Ryan Jensen and Jah reid at this point in his career. A year on the practice squad could do the small-school prospect a world of good… assuming he doesn’t get snapped up by another team if the Ravens waive him.

Darren Waller, WR

Perhaps no rookie has been a more pleasant surprise than Darren Waller, who has shown strong hands and a willingness to make tough plays. His first catch of the preseason was a well contested slant route, while his first touchdown was on a screen pass in which Waller needed to jump to make the catch, then power his way into the endzone. I’d like to see the Ravens throw a red zone fade route Waller’s way before I call his preseason an unqualified success, but it’s close to being that.

Waller won’t beat out established guys like Marlon Brown and Kamar Aiken… yet. Waller is more talented than both of those guys. Given time, he could be a contributor down the road. For now, his 6’6″ frame and strong hands should be an asset on the hands team. 

DeAndre Carter, WR

The undrafted rookie was hyped as a potential kick returner and slot receiver for the Ravens. Carter has flashed as a receiver, but he has seen several passes careen off his hands. More troubling, Carter has been awful as a kick returning, muffing two kicks. He probably won’t make the roster at this point.

Terrence Magee, RB

With few expectations, Terrence Magee was the most positive story in the Ravens’ blowout loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. He was excellent, as his 4.0 yard per carry average fails to tell the tale of his decisiveness, power and explosiveness. Magee put himself firmly in the race to make the roster with powerful runs like this one: 

At minimum, Magee should make an appearance on the practice squad.

 

Random Thoughts

1. Kamar Aiken has disappointed this preseason, Marlon Brown has disappointed in camp and Breshad Perriman has been hurt. Aiken was at least partly responsible for Joe Flacco‘s first interception against the Eagles as he misplayed Flacco’s underthrown deep ball. The Ravens have Steve Smith, a huge unknown in Perriman and a bunch of third/fourth receivers. They could really be hurting at wide receiver this year. 
2. Tom Nelson has impressed me. The former safety turned receiver looks a lot like Michael Campanaro out there. Another team desperate for a slot receiver could do worse than Nelson, who won’t make the Ravens’ roster.
3. I love how seriously John Harbaugh takes the preseason. He is teaching the team to never let off the gas, and he is doing it by example. He shouldn’t have smacked the camera, though.
4. Bryn Renner is quite possibly the long-term backup in Baltimore. After a year on the practice squad, that is.
5. Rashaan Melvin has come back strong from a rough end to his 2014-15 season. He could seriously push Lardarius Webb out of the starting lineup.
6. The kick return situation is a mess. That’s all I know about it.