Photo courtesy of The Baltimore Sun
A month ago I put together an early depth chart following the NFL draft of how the Ravens line up. OTA’s are underway and teams mandatory mini-camps start next week. There have been a number of changes in the last thirty days, so here’s a new and improved, updated chart.
Make your way over to our message board here, to discuss your opinion on the depth chart.
Players listed in bold are new additions to the Ravens squad. Players with an asterisk are the guys I foresee on the bubble of making the 53-man.
QB-Joe Flacco, Tyrod Taylor, Caleb Hanie* RB- Ray Rice, Bernard Pierce, Anthony Allen FB- Vonta Leach, Kyle Juszczyk (4) TE- Dennis Pitta, Ed Dickson, Matt Furstenburg* WR- Torrey Smith, Jacoby Jones, Deonte Thompson, Tandon Doss, David Reed, Aaron Mellete (7), Laquan Williams*, Tommy Streeter* LT- Bryant McKinnie, Ramon Harewood, Ricky Wagner (5) LG- Kelechi Osemele, Jah Reid C- A.Q. Shipley, Gino Gradkowski, Ryan Jensen (6) RG- Marshall Yanda, Jah Reid RT- Michael Oher, Ramon Harewood, Ricky Wagner DE- Marcus Spears, Arthur Jones, Pernell McPhee, John Simon (4) Deangelo Tyson* DT- Haloti Ngata, Brandon Williams (3), Chris Canty, Terrence Cody* OLB- Terrell Suggs, Elvis Dumervil, Courtney Upshaw, Albert McClellan, Adrian Hamilton* MLB- Daryl Smith, Josh Bynes, Bryan Hall, Albert McClellan, Arthur Brown (2)+, Jameel McClain*+ CB- Lardarius Webb, Jimmy Smith, Corey Graham, Chykie Brown, Asa Jackson, Chris Johnson, Michael Huff SS- Matt Elam (1), Michael Huff, James Ihedigbo, Marc Anthony (7)* FS- Michael Huff, Matt Elam, Christian Thompson (Suspended) K- Justin Tucker P- Sam Koch LS- Morgan Cox
Changes from the last depth chart:
Offense: I had Bryant McKinnie written in pencil a month ago, but I went back over it ink since he has been attending workouts, and reports are his head is in the right place. Ravens sign A.Q. Shipley to compete with Gino Gradkowski for the center position. The folks at Pro Football Focus love this signing, and he seems to be the front runner for the top spot right now. Deonte Thompson is receiving the most praise of anyone in the receiving corps. I have him as the early favorite to take over the third WR spot. Undrafted tight end, Matt Furstenburg out of Maryland is still on the roster amid a slew of undrafted cuts already made. He sports jersey number 85, which tight ends do wear. I feel he’s got more of a chance than the tight end given number 48, Alex Silvestro. I was suprised the Terp wasn’t drafted as he had a nice combine. Kyle Juszczyk is listed on the roster as FB only. Time will tell how they really use him though.
Defense: UPDATE, 6/5: Ravens sign Daryl Smith, former Jacksonville Jaguars MLB, and their franchise leader in tackles. Until Arthur Brown and Jameel McClain are 100%, Smith steps in seemingly as the best option at MLB. Rolando McClain has retired. Arthur Brown is out for the next four-six weeks with a sports hernia. Jameel McClain has practiced in helmet and shorts. Defensive Coordinator Dean Pees, says that when McClain is at full strength that starting MLB, “will be his job to lose, and we’ll go from there.” Brandon Williams, third round pick out of Missouri Southern, has potential to start along side Haloti Ngata. Courtney Upshaw Showed up to camp visually overweight, stating he dealt with some personal issues this offseason. I moved him out of the MLB slot for the time being since not many guys can be 290+ lbs and play sideline to sideline.
*Bubble guys*:
Caleb Hanie – On the bubble should Coach Harbaugh want to roll with just two QBs given Flacco’s durability. Emergency QB in the past, Anquan Boldin, is no longer here.
Tommy Streeter, Laquan Williams – A lot of guys will be challenging for a couple spots as a true WR. Most of the young guys will take their licks on special teams, especially if a veteran is brought in. I can’t see the Ravens trying to pass Mellete through to the practice squad since he received draft grades as high as the 4th round, and risk another team stealing him, whereas Streeter and Williams need to prove that they are not expendable. The Ravens carried six WRs last season.
Matt Furstenburg – As I stated before, he’s still on the roster. If he makes it to the pre-season and plays well, depending on how they decide to use Juszczyk, or an injury to one of the starters may give Furstenberg a chance at the 53-man.
Deangelo Tyson, Terrence Cody – Tyson has some tough competition coming from John Simon. Brandon Williams could be what we were hoping Terrence Cody would have been. With the bolstered line, Cody really needs to impress to stick around and make the coaches make a tough decision on his future.
Adrian Hamilton – Called up from the practice squad late in 2012. He did in fact dress and was active on special teams.
Jameel McClain – Rolando’s status is still in question. I feel like if the Ravens were going to cut him, maybe they would have done it by now? Jameel still hasn’t been cleared by doctors for full contact pads drills, chance he goes on the PUP list. If Jameel looks to be on the roster week 1, move the asterisk to Bryan Hall, and maybe a CB like Chris Johnson.
Marc Anthony – The Ravens final pick in the draft. Poor speed in the combine made his draft stock plummet. But the Ravens were convinced enough to try him out at safety where they are not as deep as corner. Christian Thompson is facing a four game suspension to start the year as well, but will battle with Anthony through training camp.
Ravens Analyst
Mike was born on the Eastern Shore, raised in Finksburg, and currently resides in Parkville. In 2009, Mike graduated from the Broadcasting Institute of Maryland. Mike became a Baltimore City Fire Fighter in late 2010. Mike has appeared as a guest on Q1370, and FOX45. Now a Sr. Ravens Analyst for BSL, he can be reached at mike.randall@baltimoresportsandlife.com.