Category: 53-man roster

Could the Ravens’ offensive line look completely different against the Cowboys?

Ravens’ offensive line will look different against the Cowboys

During his last press conference of the week, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh did everything but hint at changes coming to the embattled offensive line.

Baltimore has been inconsistent upfront through two games, and last Sunday’s shocking loss to the Raiders saw Maxx Crosby earn AFC Defensive Player of the Week after dominating the Ravens’ revamped offensive front.

“I think it’s still a competition,” he said when asked about any possible changes. “It’s still up in the air for certain spots.

“You probably will see some different guys in different spots. That’s just part of it.”

Roger Rosengarten has looked impressive during his snaps at right tackle, and Patrick Mekari could slide over at right guard for Ben Faalele. The undervalued Ben Cleveland could also be in line for more snaps in the rotation.

Baltimore’s offensive line will certainly need to perform well against a Cowboys defense led by one of the NFL’s best pass rushers, outside linebacker Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence.

Ravens have two players fined a total of $36,883 for unnecessary roughness vs. Chiefs

Ravens Roquan Smith was fined $16,833 for unnecessary roughness and Odafe Oweh was fined $20,050 for unnecessary roughness against Chiefs

The Baltimore Ravens lost a physical season-opening matchup to the Kansas City Chiefs, and multiple players will lose money on the back end.

According to Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic, Roquan Smith and Odafe Oweh were fined $36,883 last Thursday night for two unnecessary roughness calls.

For the Chiefs, tight end Peyton Hendershot was fined $5,472 for unsportsmanlike conduct. The inactive player shoved Roquan Smith out of bounds.

Isiah Pacheco was fined $5,582 for unnecessary roughness after one of his runs early in the third quarter.

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Ravens announce two roster moves ahead of Week 2 matchup vs. Raiders

Baltimore Ravens have activated DB Ka’dar Hollman and RB John Kelly from the practice squad for tomorrow’s game vs. the Raiders.

The Baltimore Ravens announced two roster moves on Saturday, activating defensive back Ka’dar Hollman and running back John Kelly from the practice squad for tomorrow’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Head coach John Harbaugh announced Friday that the Ravens will be without rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins, who will not play after suffering a neck injury in a car accident.

The first-round rookie cornerback played 17 snaps in his NFL debut against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 1. According to Pro Football Focus, Wiggins allowed one catch for one yard.

Kelly could see snaps at the running back position and a role on special teams.

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WATCH: David Ojabo records his first sack in season opener vs. the Chiefs

Baltimore Ravens pass rusher David Ojabo records his first sack in season opener vs. the Kansas City Chiefs

David Ojabo has battled injuries through his first two years in the NFL and entered the 2024 regular season needing to be productive and available.

The former Michigan pass rusher got off to a roaring start, ending a Chiefs drive with a sack on third down.

https://Twitter.com/Ravens/status/1831864510891618676

Ojabo underwent surgery to repair a partially torn ACL last November and is recovering. Ojabo finished with six tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble for the season.

It was the second straight season that Ojabo has dealt with a severe injury. He tore his Achilles at his Michigan Pro Day before the 2022 draft.

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Ravens restructure Roquan Smith’s contract to create extra salary cap space

Ravens create $3.65M in cap space by restructuring Roquan Smith’s deal

We previously wrote about Baltimore needing to get salary cap compliant before Thursday’s season opener against the Chiefs, with GM Eric DeCosta having several options at his disposal.

DeCosta used one on Monday, restructuring the contract of All-Pro linebacker Roquan Smith, freeing up $3.65 million in salary cap space.

Roquan Smith approaches the game with an intense mindset, always playing with anger and never showing signs of weakness. The star linebacker was acquired by the Baltimore Ravens from the Bears in 2022, and since then, he has recorded over 245 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and two interceptions and earned a 75.0 grade from PFF in 25 games.

Smith had 84 solo tackles, 74 assists, 1.5 sacks, and one interception in 16 games in 2023, and he’s the best leader the Ravens have had since Ray Lewis retired.

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Todd Monken hints at Patrick Mekari starting at RT For Ravens in Week 1 vs. Chiefs

Baltimore offensive coordinator Todd Monken hinted at Patrick Mekari being the starting right tackle for the Ravens vs. the Chiefs in Week 1

The Ravens have known for about a week who’ll be the starting offensive line for the gigantic Week 1 matchup against the Chiefs, but the names were withheld for competitive reasons.

Some of those names are starting to trickle out, and there’s an upset at the right tackle spot.  Roger Rosengarten was drafted in the second round, but OC Todd Monken hinted at veteran Patrick Mekari getting the call in a hostile environment.

https://Twitter.com/jeffzrebiec/status/1830698513363018118

Mekari has logged snaps in five NFL seasons at all five offensive line positions. He’s essentially become a five-tool utility man of immense value, especially on this roster.

Mekari made seven starts between the right and left side, filling in for Ronnie Stanley and Morgan Moses, who dealt with knee and shoulder injuries.

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Justin Madubuike changes his name to Nnamdi Madubuike ahead of Week 1 vs. Chiefs

Justin Madubuike is changing his name to his middle name of Nnamdi ahead of 2024 season

Justin Madubuike has officially arrived, and nothing says you’re a star in this league like your peers naming you to the NFL’s Top 100 Players list, a brand new contract, and a fresh, new name.

Looking to stay centered in his roots and be true to himself and his family, Madubuike is undergoing a name change and is set to take on his middle name, Nnamdi. Ravens reporter Kyle Phoenix was among the first to notice the change to the nameplate on his locker.

https://Twitter.com/KylePBarber/status/1830338451129913592

Madubuike made the change to his Instagram page as well.

Madubuike explained his decision to Giana Han of the Baltimore Banner. 

Madubuike improved significantly in his fourth season with the Ravens. He led the team with 13 sacks, 33 quarterback hits, and 12 tackles for loss, which earned him his first Pro Bowl honor.

Madubuike had a breakout season in a contract year, setting himself up for a four-year, $98 million extension.

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Eric DeCosta confirms teams attempted to acquire talent from Ravens secondary

Eric DeCosta confirms teams attempted to acquire talent from Ravens secondary

The Ravens have one of the NFL’s deepest secondaries after drafting Nate Wiggins and T.J. Tampa and signing Eddie Jackson before training camp. With such depth, teams around the league are looking for a trade partner.

Baltimore GM Eric DeCosta said he received calls around cutdown day with teams interested in Baltimore’s secondary depth. DeCosta says he declined all deals, wanting to maintain extra bodies in an area where the team has struggled to keep players healthy.

“We’re strong in the secondary and we stayed strong,” DeCosta said.

https://Twitter.com/Ravens/status/1829151077708542215

The Ravens kept 11 defensive backs on the roster, with projected starting corners Marlon Humphrey and Brandon Stephens backed by first-round rookie Nate Wiggins, rookie fourth-round pick T.J. Tampa, and returning players Jalyn Armour-Davis and Ar’Darius Washington. Veteran slot corner Arthur Maulet is starting on injured reserve after having an arthroscopic knee injury, but he’s eligible to return after Week 4.

At safety, the Ravens have starters Kyle Hamilton and Marcus Williams, with veteran Eddie Jackson and rookies Sanoussi Kane and Beau Brade behind them.

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Ravens HC John Harbaugh conveys Tylan Wallace’s potential roles this season

Barring a rash of injuries, Tylan Wallace is not going to be a huge part of what the Ravens do on offense this season. 

When you’re near the bottom of the depth chart, your best opportunities for consistent playing time often come in the game’s third phase.

Tylan Wallace has made the Baltimore Ravens roster as the fifth or sixth wide receiver. Barring a rash of injuries, he won’t be a massive part of what the Ravens do on offense this season.

However, he could play a big part on special teams. You could expect him to be a part of the “hands team,” although he won’t be the featured kick returner, he should be involved in the return team.

“I think Tylan’s going to get opportunities everywhere- offense and special teams,” Coach John Harbaugh said after practice on Friday.

“He’s looked good, had a couple nice plays out there today, like he does really everyday- looking forward to seeing how he does this year.”

Wallace has undoubtedly established himself as “a gamer,” or a “guy who does things that don’t show up in the stat sheet.”

Obviously, These are cliches and describe players known more for their effort than talent or ability, but they are a key part of any football team.

Ravens rookie safety Beau Brade learned he made the roster from GM Eric DeCosta

Beau Brade told the media that Eric DeCosta said to him “you’ve had a pretty good preseason,”

It’s a big deal whenever an undrafted free agent makes the 53-man roster.

When the team’s general manager himself delivers the news, in person, to that UDFA, it’s an even bigger deal.

On Friday, Ravens safety Beau Brade told reporters that Ravens GM Eric DeCosta approached him directly after Monday’s practice and said to him that he made the team.

Brade told the media that DeCosta told him, “You’ve had a pretty good preseason,” and then quickly added, “Congratulations, you’ve made the 53-man roster.”

The rookie then thanked and hugged DeCosta. Once he got home, the Clarksville, Maryland native immediately told his parents, and he said they cried tears of joy. 

“Dreams come true, but you gotta put the work in,” said Brade, who was a star at River Hill high school, and then later the University of Maryland.

He grew up a Ravens fan, dreaming of the opportunity to someday play for the club.

Now, his opportunity has arrived.

Coach John Harbaugh said he thinks it’s “pretty cool ” that Brade is a local school. He then added that he appreciates the Terps and the other local schools.

“He did it the hard way, he earned it,” Harbaugh said of Brade making the final cut.

“He made plays. I think he’s going to do very well.”