Without any fluff or puffery here is my first and last roster prediction for the 2019 Baltimore Ravens.
Quarterbacks (3)
Lamar Jackson, Robert Griffin, Trace McSorley
The Ravens decide to go with three quarterbacks like they did last year. Trace McSorley showed he is worthy of keeping on the roster and not risking to the waiver wire. The Ravens carry three quarterbacks for the second year in a row.
Running back (4)
Mark Ingram, Gus Edwards, Justice Hill, Kenneth Dixon
Hold on to ya butts! Probably the spiciest take on my roster prediction as many suspect Dixon to be traded however I see the team giving it one last go with the 2016 4th round pick. Many suspect the Ravens go with the traditional 3 running back lineup but I can see them carrying Dixon over into week 1. Ingram and Edwards can expect to receive the bulk of carries over the game with the other two being rotated in with Hill’s electrifying running ability and Dixon one-cut style. It will truly be a running committee this year with the diversity in this running back group with unique ball carriers that will keep each other fresh.
Wide receivers (5)
Willie Snead, Chris Moore, Miles Boykin, Marquise Brown, Jaleel Scott
With an offense that is predicted to be run-heavy, the Ravens should only carry 5 receivers in 2019. Seth Roberts and Michael Floyd are veterans who failed to splash in camp or preseason games. Roberts missed extended time and the big-bodied Floyd doesn’t have much that differentiates him from other younger receivers like Scott and Boykin. The group provides a nice mix of speed, size and toughness.
Tight End (3)
Mark Andrews, Hayden Hurst, Nick Boyle
One of the easier group decisions this year. Three reliable starters will return for 2019
Offensive Line (8)
Ronnie Stanley, Orlando Brown, James Hurst, Marshal Yanda, Matt Skura, Bradley Bozeman, Ben Powers, Patrick Mekari
Eight usually seems to be the standard number for lineman on the roster. However, this group could benefit from added talent via trade or the waiver wire. The offensive line’s ability (or lack thereof) puts the Ravens’ offense in a precarious situation to protect Lamar Jackson and establish a dominant run game. I would likely expect to see some new faces added to the group in the next few days. As of right now you get a good tackle duo with Stanley and Brown. Yanda is still a capable interior lineman although he has started to accumulate some wear and tear over the past few seasons. The rest are all young players who haven’t shown anything special in their time in the NFL. The group has some depth but lacks any substantial talent. Outside of Stanley, Yanda and Brown the rest likely don’t project to be quality NFL starters at any point. If week one was today I would expect Stanley and Brown at the tackles, Yanda and Hurst at the guard spots and Skura at center.
Cornerback (6)
Marlon Humphrey, Jimmy Smith, Brandon Carr, Cyrus Jones, Justin Bethel, Anthony Averett
It is no secret that the Ravens have depth in the secondary. With the injury to Tavon Young, Cyrus Jones suddenly becomes more valuable to the team and earned Harbaugh’s trust as a returner last season. Justin Bethel also can fill in at the slot and gives you a viable special teams player in the absence of Young. Maurice Canady is a roster cut casualty as he hasn’t shown anything spectacular in coverage or on special teams. Canady also appears to be unable to cover consistently, often getting beat on routes in the third and fourth quarters of preseason games…and the 4th quarter of week 17 games on 4th down with 12 yards to go against the Bengals (don’t worry I’m totally over it). The fourth-year player has shown some flashes in past training camps but struggles to stay healthy… and as a former disgruntled employer once told me “your best ability is your availability”.
Safety (5)
Earl Thomas, Tony Jefferson, Anthony Levine, Deshon Elliott, Chuck Clark
Probably the most well-rounded group on the team. As much as I hate saying this but all five of these guys truly play like Ravens. They are the most well-rounded position group from top to bottom, playing with an old school defensive grit from the safety position.
Defensive Line (7)
Brandon Williams, Michael Pierce, Chris Wormley, Patrick Ricard, Daylon Mack, Zach Seiler, Willie Henry
The trade of Jermaine Eleumanor opens up an additional d-line spot and I think it allows the Ravens to keep last year’s seventh round pick Zach Seiler who provides added depth and an edge lineman unlike everybody else on that list outside of Wormley.
Linebacker (9)
Mathew Judon, Pernell McPhee, Tyus Bowser, Jaylon Ferguson, Patrick Onwausor , Chris Board, Kenny Young , Otaro Alaka , Tim Williams
The pass rushing platoon should all make it through even though no one has done anything to separate themselves. Tyus Bowser has shown positive signs of life in preseason and hopefully it clicks for him this year in real game action. Shane Rey got lost in the shuffle early and struggled to even get snaps in preseason games securing him a trip to the waivers.
Onwausor looks like a clear leader at inside linebacker and Kenny Young has made some impressive tackles in the preseason. Young in fact could start alongside Onwausor week 1 and might be rotated with Board when he comes back from a concussion. Otaro Alaka carries on the undrafted linebacker legacy and provides some depth at a dangerously thin position.
Special Teams (3)
Justin Tucker, Sam Koch, Morgan Cox
The usual suspects. Maybe next year Nizialek.
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