Updated Key Position Battles

Three weeks from tonight, the 2022 NFL season begins.

For so long we were waiting for football to be back, and now it seems like the season is closer than we expected.

With the approach of a new season comes the conclusion of position battles. Everything in the NFL is competitive, especially the competition for a roster spot. As noted, many times over, the Ravens are in a very good situation. Their roster has a healthy blend of veteran leadership, youth, and talent. While that’s exciting for the fans, it’s probably very nerve-racking for those who are actually competing to survive. Whoever does survive will do so knowing they beat out some strong competitors, but until that final roster is posted, there’s plenty of work to be done.

Due to injury, a lack of depth, or both, there are four positions on the Ravens in which the battle to make it is worth watching. These four positions are key for different reasons. The starters aren’t in question, but starters can only take you so far. If you truly want to make a run at a Super Bowl, you need to be confident in your contingencies.

Here are the four positions I’ll be watching intently in the lead up to Week 1.

Wide receiver

Best: Rashod Bateman

Last in: Slade Bolden

Last out: Tylan Wallace

X-factor: James Proche

Analysis: While Bateman’s position as the top receiver is secure, he still has plenty to prove. He likely wants to justify his first-round selection and still has to fight for targets in an offense with Mark Andrews and J.K. Dobbins.

James Proche has a spot on this team in my opinion, but I don’t know if he will feature in the pass game. Last year, he was targeted 20 times in 14 games. I think those targets can be doubled, but it depends on how Greg Roman wants to deploy him. I have full confidence he can beat the majority of defensive backs on deep routes, but deep routes are obviously converted less often than shorter routes. Either way, he’s an asset on a team that needs what he provides.

Tylan Wallace and Slade Bolden are the two remaining players that I believe are in contention to be the last receiver to make the active roster. I think it comes down to four things: availability, 3rd down conversions, special teams ability, and blocking. Whoever is able to convert when their number is called will present huge value to the Ravens. I go Bolden here, slightly, because in my opinion if Wallace were their guy, the Ravens wouldn’t have brought is as many receivers as they did. Plus, Bolden is coming from a dominant run offense at Alabama, whereas Wallace was in a pass-heavy offense at Oklahoma State. If there’s one thing a receiver can do to win their coaches over, it’s blocking.

Offensive line

Best: Kevin Zeitler

Last in: Patrick Mekari

Last out: Ben Cleveland

X-factor: Ronnie Stanley

Analysis: This is simple for me. Kevin Zeitler is the Ravens best offensive lineman right now. In 2021, Zeitler played every single offensive snap and allowed only one sack on 611 attempts (.16 percent). Ronnie Stanley can be very good, but I have serious doubts about his recovery. If you pay attention to the non-committal language used to forecast his return, it doesn’t bode well. I’ve always said I’m rooting for him but being objective, it doesn’t seem promising. The flip side, though, is that if he does play well, it’s like a bonus, as the team has been without him for so long. Again, I truly hope he comes back with a vengeance in 2022 after playing in only seven games in the previous two seasons. What a comeback story that would be.

Ben Cleveland has had a rocky camp in my opinion, even after starting late due to a failed conditioning test. He can’t afford to let off the gas as the competition at guard is very competitive. If anything, positional flexibility could be the tiebreaker, which is why I think guys like Patrick Mekari, Ben Powers, and Tyre Phillips are solid bets to make the final 53.

Running back

Best: J.K. Dobbins

Last in: Mike Davis

Last out: Justice Hill

X-factor: Tyler Badie

Analysis: I’m all in on J.K. Dobbins this year. I believe he’s going to have a great season. In his rookie year, he was just shy of 1,000 total yards (925). I’d be shocked if he didn’t finish in the Top 10 of total yards this year. Over the last decade the 10th place player in total yards from scrimmage averaged 1,464 yards. That’s definitely doable for J.K.

Mike Davis showed last week he’s a solid goal line runner, similar to what the team had last year in Latavius Murray. While keeping a player who may only get 5-6 rushes per game could be a risk, the trade off is touchdowns instead of field goals. That’s a substantial benefit that must be factored into decision making. Other players, like Justice Hill, competing for that last spot don’t offer what Davis does, which is why I think the final running back spot is his to lose.

Tyler Badie is similar to Ronnie Stanley in that his potential is high, but the team has done so well without him to this point. He could come along as he’s able and give the Ravens a big boost when needed. There are many ways he can be used in this offense, and coming from a defensive coach, if I have to gameplan for someone who I don’t know how he’s going to be used, that makes my job much more difficult.

Cornerback

Best: Marlon Humphrey

Last in: Jalyn Armour-Davis

Last out: Kevon Seymour

X-factor: Marcus Peters

Analysis: Baltimore’s defensive backs are the best and most well-rounded position group on the team. Marlon Humphrey is the leader. He can play outside, inside, is physical, technically-sound, and loves to compete. Marcus Peters is a fierce competitor as well with exceptional ball skills, making opposing offense’s jobs extremely challenging. You have to throw the ball at some time, but where? You’re your poison. If Peters stays healthy, he could have a career year.

The last cornerback spot, in my opinion, will go to who’s best in the slot. Baltimore lost Tavon Young in the offseason (signed with Chicago), who was a tremendous player for them. They signed Kyle Fuller to take that spot, but time will tell how he performs in this defense. It could be he or Brandon Stephens starting at nickel, but even if they both perform well (which I expect), the Ravens will want to keep as many cornerbacks as they can (especially given how last year turned out).

That brings us to Jalyn Armour-Davis and Kevon Seymour. Demarion Williams (5’10”, 180 lbs.) has been having a very good camp and is similar in stature to Young (5’9”, 186 lbs.), so I think his spot is safe. Armour-Davis (6’1”, 195 lbs.) is closer to a Jimmy Smith body-type, which helps his cause as it gives Defensive Coordinator Mike Macdonald position flexibility. Seymour (6’0”, 188 lbs.) has had multiple lapses in coverage this preseason, so while it’s not a done deal by any stretch, his case to make this team is, due both to performance and competition from his peers. He could very well make the practice squad, but to say Seymour is going to make the final active roster is a stretch at this point, in my opinion.