The 2023 season is almost here. I promise.
In just over three week’s time, the Ravens play for real, with who they have, regardless of injuries or uncertainty. Sure, that’s the nature of life in the NFL, but part of the reason for such heightened optimism entering each season is the presumption of a healthy roster.
If you’ve been following Ravens news recently, you’ve been met by the refrain of injured cornerbacks and offensive stars missing more practices than they make.
Marlon Humphrey is getting an operation on his foot which may cause him to miss Week 1. Rock Ya-Sin should be full strength by that time. According to Ourlads, those are Baltimore’s starting cornerbacks, so…not ideal, but not terrible.
As far as the offense goes, J.K. Dobbins and Rashod Bateman have been practicing lately, but they are behind on reps. If Greg Roman were still the offensive coordinator, I wouldn’t be as concerned about those two guys missing time early in camp but given the pressing nature of this season’s potential and there being a new offensive play-caller, every rep is that much more important.
Being realistic doesn’t mean you have to bemoan and complain. You can acknowledge the challenge, but you must move forward. Otherwise, you build in a safety net of self-pity to fall back on when things get difficult. That is not the Raven way.
When final rosters are decided on August 29th, Coach Harbaugh (and all NFL head coaches) will have to roll with who they have. Their charge will be to maximize what they do have and convert weaknesses into strengths. Their goal is to win a world championship, therefore they’ll need to access multiple contingencies on the long, trying road to Las Vegas.
Obviously, the Week 1 roster will be different than the Week 18 roster. You figure core players on long-term contracts will be there, but to win a Super Bowl, you also need contributions from other players, which often come in unexpected moments and ways.
Given the current group of Ravens and the team’s identity, here’s how I forecast the final 53 turning out.
OFFENSE (25)
Quarterback (2): Lamar Jackson, Tyler Huntley
With Jackson healthy and under contract, and given Huntley’s experience, it seems a third quarterback isn’t as pressing of a reserve role as other positions require.
Running back (4): J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards, Justice Hill, Melvin Gordon III
If this position group is healthy, they can be great. The offensive line and team temperament is built for a strong rushing attack. I think they will thrive—running and receiving—under Todd Monken, which of course will only make Jackson more effective.
Fullback (1): Pat Ricard
No slight to Ben Mason, but even considering how much the Ravens use a fullback, it’s not worth having two of them on the active roster.
Wide Receiver (6): Odell Beckham, Jr. Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, Devin Duvernay, Nelson Agholor, Tylan Wallace
For the first time in a while, Ravens fans can look at this position with confidence. Flowers looks to be a star in the making, and if Beckham and Bateman can play a full season, I see no way they don’t each approach a 15-yard-per-catch average.
Tight End (3): Mark Andrews, Isaiah Likely, Charlie Kolar
This is a really good group, led by Andrews (who has All-Pro potential). Likely should be one of the league’s biggest breakout players, and Kolar is coming into his own more each day.
Offensive Line (9): Ronnie Stanley, Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, Tyler Linderbaum, Kevin Zeitler, Morgan Moses, Patrick Mekari, Ben Cleveland, Daniel Faalele, Sam Mustipher
Could this group be better? Sure. Is their collective talent, depth, and experience sufficient to lead this team where it wants to go? Absolutely. Stanley, Linderbaum, and Zeitler are on the short list of best players at their position. Moses still has plenty left in his tank. Aumavae-Laulu is raw but hungry. Mekari can play just about anywhere. Key starters and key reserves is a rare combination that most teams don’t have, but Baltimore does.
DEFENSE (25)
Defensive Line (6): Justin Madubuike, Travis Jones, Brent Urban, Broderick Washington, Michael Pierce
Losing Calais Campbell will hurt, but he wasn’t going to be with the team for much longer, anyway. Perhaps it’s just as well he left so that the person or people that replace his production get expedited reps. Madubuike and Jones should combine to be an absolute force of destruction on the inside.
Linebackers (8): Roquan Smith, Patrick Queen, Jadeveon Clowney, Odafe Oweh, Tyus Bowser, David Ojabo, Trenton Simpson, Tavius Robinson, Malik Harrison
If Smith isn’t the best middle linebacker in the game, he’s near the very top. Queen is playing for a new deal. Oweh, Ojabo, and Simpson are freakish athletes that can hurt offenses in multiple ways. Maybe the toughest decision on the team comes between keeping either Malik Harrison or Malik Hamm. I think Harrison gets the nod due to his veteran status, but it wouldn’t be shocking to see the opposite scenario play out.
Cornerbacks (7): Marlon Humphrey, Rock Ya-Sin, Arthur Maulet, Pepe Williams, Kyu Blu Kelly, Jalyn Armour-Davis, Ronald Darby
Touch and go, isn’t it? Wow…this time a year ago, the Ravens were feeling a lot better about this position group. All of a sudden, uncertainty abounds. I’d like to see Humphrey and Maulet start. Maulet plays nickel mostly, so though he may not be credited with starts, pay attention to his snap count (percentage). Kelly and Williams will be the key reserves this season, in my opinion.
Safeties (4): Marcus Williams, Kyle Hamilton, Brandon Stephens, Geno Stone
A small, but strong and solid group. Stephens is listed as a cornerback, but let’s be real: he will be moved around often. Stone is a very good backup that can start if needed and is gaining more special teams responsibility each season (a la Anthony Levine). Williams and Hamilton could both be All-Pros. They’re that talented.
SPECIALISTS (3)
Justin Tucker, Jordan Stout, Tyler Ott
Tucker is Tucker. As long as he’s on the team, Baltimore will be strong contenders to win each game. He’s that important and that talented. Stout should have a very good second season, and Ott looks to be filling in nicely for the injured Nick Moore.
Total: 53
Born in Baltimore, Mike had long been drawn to sports of all kinds. Growing up watching Cal Ripken play ever day gave him a great example for which to attack every endeavor he undertakes.
When the Ravens came to town, though, that’s when Mike found his passion. Since that time, he’s tried to gain every bit of knowledge he could. Now as a high school coach, Mike is able to take his film study and appreciation of the game to a new level.
To engage with Mike on social media, follow him on Twitter @MikeFastNFL.