Category: Depth Chart

Vikings RB Ty Chandler is listed as the top KR on the depth chart

After a shocking cut, the Vikings appear to know who their new kick returner will be in 2024.

After a shocking cut by the Vikings, former running back and kick returner Kene Nwangwu is no longer with Minnesota. While Nwangwu didn’t show much as a runner, he was a valuable part of the Vikings’ special teams, and Minnesota is now searching for a new returner.

According to the Vikings’ official depth chart, it would appear that running back Ty Chandler would be the top kicker returner. Wide receiver Brandon Powell is listed behind Chandler as the second option.

Chandler has four career kick returners for 97 yards.

The Vikings currently have just two running backs on their roster, which is abnormal. Most teams have three or four running backs on their roster, and it’s almost a certainty Minnesota will add at least one more running back. If not, it’s unlikely Chandler would stay as kick returner, being the second option to Aaron Jones.

Powell and Jalen Nailor are expected to handle the punt return duties.

Ravens roster cuts: Tracking the path to 53 players

With Tuesday’s deadline fast approaching, we’re tracking the roster cuts one player at a time.

The Ravens and 31 other teams have begun the painstaking process of trimming their training camp rosters from 90 players to the NFL’s required 53 ahead of Week 1.

Baltimore is a loaded team with Super Bowl aspirations, meaning there aren’t many available roster spots, and few of the players on the bubble will make the cut. The Ravens have decisions to make at the reserve running back and backup offensive line positions, among others.

With Tuesday’s deadline fast approaching, we’re tracking the roster cuts one player at a time.

Baltimore waived the undrafted rookie on Monday.

Washington was waived via an injury settlement.

Signed before the start of training, Gage has been released.

Sharp signed with Baltimore after the draft.

The former Oklahoma and Tulsa offensive tackle signed with Baltimore as an undrafted free agent.

The former Georgia defensive end signed with Baltimore after the NFL draft.

John Harbaugh says Ravens have made a decision on starting offensive line for Week 1

John Harbaugh says Ravens have made a decision on starting offensive line for Week 1

The Ravens are about 24 hours away from trimming their roster down to a 53-man juggernaut. With the season opener at Kansas City closing in, head coach John Harbaugh has an idea about his starting offensive line in this crucial season.

Following Monday’s efficient practice, Harbaugh told the media a decision has been made, although he didn’t reveal.

Andrew Vorhees, the 2023 seventh-round pick out of Southern Cal who spent his entire rookie season on the non-football injury list as he recovered from a torn ACL, will start at left guard.  Daniel Faalele, a 2022 fourth-round pick trying to become this franchise’s Jordan Mailata, will start at right guard.

Veteran Patrick Mekari has split first-team reps with second-round rookie Roger Rosengarten throughout camp. Still, he’s probably better served being the sixth man and a guy who can play four or five positions.

Tyler Linderbaum will start at center, while Ravens rookie seventh-round pick Nick Samac should make the roster as his backup.

Josh Jones, Ben Cleveland, Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, and Tashawn Manning should make the roster and give Baltimore a solid ten-man unit.

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John Harbaugh says Ravens are close to naming starting offensive line for Week 1

John Harbaugh says the Baltimore Ravens are close to naming starting offensive line for Week 1 vs. the Kansas City Chiefs

The Ravens are eight days away from trimming their roster down to a 53-man juggernaut, and with the season opener at Kansas City closing in, head coach John Harbaugh has an idea about his starting offensive line in this crucial season.

Following Monday’s efficient practice, Harbaugh told the media he’s closing in on his decision, but it’s likely already been decided.

Andrew Vorhees, the 2023 seventh-round pick out of Southern Cal who spent his entire rookie season on the non-football injury list as he recovered from a torn ACL, will start at left guard.  Daniel Faalele, a 2022 fourth-round pick trying to become this franchise’s Jordan Mailata, will start at right guard.

Veteran Patrick Mekari has split first-team reps with second-round rookie Roger Rosengarten throughout camp. Still, he’s probably better served being the sixth man and a guy who can play four or five positions.

Tyler Linderbaum will start at center, while Ravens rookie seventh-round pick Nick Samac should make the roster as his backup.

Josh Jones, Ben Cleveland, Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, and Tashawn Manning should make the roster and give Baltimore a solid ten-man unit.

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Ravens WR Tylan Wallace is making a strong case to earn a roster spot

Tylan Wallace has also been stacking practices this preseason. By all accounts, he had a really nice training camp

Tylan Wallace is looking like he’ll lock down a spot on the 53-man roster. The Oklahoma State alum has a great chance of ultimately slotting in at WR6 on the Baltimore Ravens depth chart.

And he certainly helped his chances with this brilliant 31-yd reception in the 13-12 preseason win over the Atlanta Falcons on Saturday.

Wallace has also been stacking practices this preseason.

By all accounts, he had a really nice training camp, and he told a local radio reporter that his augmented game is largely due to his taking an improved approach to his nutrition.

Most nutritionists will tell you that- what kind of physical shape you’re in is determined 80-90% diet, and 10-20% exercise.

Perhaps Wallace will have an expanded role come the regular season?

John Harbaugh on Tavius Robinson: He plays like a Raven

At any level of football, any time a coach invokes the team’s branding to describe an individual player, it’s gigantic praise.

Backup strongside outside linebacker Tavius Robinson was one of the Baltimore Ravens main heroes on Saturday. With 36 seconds left in the game, and Baltimore leading 13-12, Robinson made the game-saving tackle on the Falcons’ two-point conversion attempt.

He burst into the opposing backfield untouched, and recorded a critical TFL.

After the game, John Harbaugh paid Robinson the ultimate complement.

“If you want to talk about ‘Playing like a Raven,’ if that’s a term that you want to use, just tag it right next to his name,”  Baltimore’s head coach told reporters after the game.

“He’s that kind of guy.”

At any level of football, any time a coach invokes the team’s branding to describe an individual player, it’s gigantic praise. While he won’t be usurping Kyle Van Noy as the starter, Robinson will no doubt have a major role to play this season in blitzing packages on opponent passing downs.

Robinson will be heavily involved in the plays Zach Orr calls that have a heavy emphasis on edge rushing.

Bleacher Report analyst has Lewis Cine on Vikings roster bubble

With roster cutdown day just a few weeks away, time is running out for Vikings safety Lewis Cine to make an impression and make the team.

With the first preseason game in the books, there are only a couple more chances for players to make an impression on their coaching staff and avoid getting cut on roster cutdown day. For the Minnesota Vikings, it should come as no surprise that one of their former first-round picks could be in danger of getting cut when the team goes from 90 to their 53-man roster.

A number of media outlets have identified 2022 first-round pick Lewis Cine as a potential roster casualty. The latest in that long line is Bleacher Report. Kristopher Knox, a Bleacher Report NFL correspondent, recently identified several higher-profile players who could get cut before the season begins, and Cine is an obvious choice for the Vikings.

The Cine choice was an odd one at the time, and bad luck has turned a curious choice into a full-blown draft bust. Cine broke his leg early in his rookie season, and he’s never been the same player since. Now, it looks like Cine could be on the outside looking in when it comes to making the team in 2024.

One thing working in Cine’s favor is that it would actually cost the Vikings money to cut him at this point. If the Vikings were to release Cine now, it would cost them just over $2 million in cap space. That may not be a hindrance, as Minnesota may choose to just eat the money and cut ties now. More likely, however, is the team shopping Cine and hoping to trade him to get another team to take on that monetary responsibility.

A trade, though, is unlikely, given Cine’s lack of performance. Combined with the impressive camp that players like Theo Jackson have turned in this summer, it seems unlikely that Cine will be back for another season in purple and gold.

Owen Wright is making his case for the Ravens third string RB role

Friday night was a major opportunity for Owen Wright, who seized it with both hands. 

The Baltimore Ravens offense struggled mightily last night, but if there was a bright spot, it was running back Owen Wright. He led the Ravens in rushing yards (33) and yards from scrimmage (50), to go along with a solid 4.7 yards-per-carry on the evening.

Derrick Henry will sit out the entire preseason, while Justice Hill was also given the night off.

This opened up a significant opportunity for Wright, who seized it with both hands.

“Coming into this game I just wanted to show that I was consistent, that I could make plays on special teams and on offense,” he told the media room in postgame.

The 25-year-old made his case for the RB3 role in front of many family and friends. Wright hails from Bethesda, Maryland, a northwest suburb of Washington, D.C.

“Honestly a dream come true, especially being from Maryland, playing in Baltimore,” he said of the overall experience last night.

“It’s huge. Especially with my family being here, it was really a blessing, we’ll remember it forever.”

NFL Preseason Week 1: Can the Ravens defend the Eagles passing game?

Baltimore Ravens rookie Nate Wiggins will tested by Philadelphia Eagles WR’s Johnny Wilson and Ainias Smith in their upcoming exhibition game.

The Baltimore Ravens intentionally drafted to replenish their depth chart at the defensive back position earlier this spring. They’ll get a chance to see the implications of the 2024 NFL draft when they face the Philadelphia Eagles in their preseason opener tonight.

Ravens’ rookie Nate Wiggins will tested by Eagles’ rookie wide receivers, including Johnny Wilson and former Texas A&M speedster Ainias Smith. Earlier this spring, I suggested that the Ravens draft Smith because his upside makes him an asset in special teams even if he does not make the frequent rotation needed in the 11-man personnel on offense. Nevertheless, Wilson’s game is a little different from Smith’s. Standing six feet six inches tall, Wilson creates an offensive nightmare for defensive backs, and with Ravens’ rookie wide receiver Devontez Walker already terrorizing Wiggins at practice, Wilson may excel in week 1 of the NFL preseason.

For the Ravens, not much of an update has surfaced on Iowa State draftee defensive back T.J Tampa. Consequently, Ravens’ fans may see heavy playing time given to defensive back Jalyn Armour-Davis and 22-year-old safety Sanoussi Kane in the preseason debut.

Ultimately, it is presumptuous to assume the Ravens will be the same defensive powerhouse they were a season ago with zero evidence. In the preseason, veteran safety Eddie Jackson and defensive back Brandon Stephens may see extra reps to assist the second-string players with adjusting to the tenacity at the NFL level.

Despite Derrick Henry’s addition, Justice Hill will have a significant role for the Ravens this season

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh even went so far as to say that Justice Hill is a “starter.”

Nobody carries the mail quite like Derrick Henry. He led the NFL in carries in four of the past five seasons. But his addition doesn’t mean that second-string tailback Justice Hill won’t have a significant role this season.

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh even said that Hill is a “starter.”

While the coach obviously means that figuratively and not literally, it does convey how much Hill will be a factor this season.

“The evolution of Justice as a player is that this guy has become a starting back in the National Football League. If you watch him play – look at the [AFC] Championship game,” Harbaugh said after practice on Thursday.

“He is a high-caliber running back, so it’s great to have him along with Derrick [Henry] and the young guys.

“He will give us a slightly different style than Derrick Henry. I see him as a starter. I think he’s going to play a lot and kind of do it his way.”

It’s no secret that every team needs at least two solid backs to withstand the intense wear and tear of a full 17-game NFL regular season.

Hill, who had 84 carries for 384 yards and three touchdowns last season is more than willing and ready to take the load in 2024.

He’s feeling as confident as ever this training camp.

“From running to blocking to receiving, I’ve been working on all of those things tirelessly,” Hill said to reporters.

“So, it’s fun to see how the progression goes each year, how I feel more confident just because I’ve been putting in that work and the more work you put in the more confident you get.”