Category: Ravens training camp

Nelson Agholor or Devontez Walker: Who will be WR No. 3 on the Ravens Depth Chart?

Baltimore Ravens WR Nelson Angholor and rookie WR Devontez Walker should create a healthy dilemma as far as the depth chart goes.

The Baltimore Ravens signed Nelson Agholor to a one-year $3.25 million deal this off-season but the emergence of rookie wide receiver Devontez Walker should create a healthy dilemma as far as the depth chart goes.

Agholor’s four touchdowns last season was impressive. He possesses the physicality to defy the usually undersized slot cornerbacks in the NFL. The problem is however, so does Walker.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C95kLV1SI49/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Walker also runs a faster 40-yard dash time of 4.36 seconds and stands six-foot two-inches making him slightly taller than Agholor as well. With opponents likely to crowd the line of scrimmage due to the Ravens’ tendency to run the football, Walker could be a vertical threat in the slot at speeds slightly quicker than Agholor.

Contrary to popular belief, it is in fact the passing attack that may be most important for the Ravens in 2024. Opponents will likely focus in on slowing down Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry in the ground game so assuring that offensive coordinator Todd Monken deploys the best possible personnel on the field when the Ravens go to 3 WR sets is very important.

Will Agholor’s veteran savvy play-style grant him more reps or will Walker’s youth and athleticism help him solidify as No. 3, we will find out soon.

WATCH: Ravens QB Lamar Jackson, TE Mark Andrews connect for incredible completion

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and tight end Mark Andrews connected for an incredible completion during training camp

The Baltimore Ravens lost tight end Mark Andrews to an injury toward the midway point of the 2023 season. His loss was a big blow to the team’s offensive unit, and although fellow tight end Isaiah Likely picked up the slack in Andrews’ absence, it still wasn’t ideal.

Andrews is back on the field and healthy for Baltimore’s 2024 training camp. He is picking up right where he left off with quarterback Lamar Jackson. The two connected on an incredible play during training camp, with Jackson throwing a dart to the tight end while Andrews laid out for the catch.

Andrews is one of the best middle-of-the-field players in the NFL, and he and Jackson have elite chemistry. The pair haven’t been able to play together as much as they would have liked over the past few years, but there is never any dropoff when both are on the field, regardless of how much time they’ve missed.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

WATCH: Highlights of Marlon Humphrey’s dominating start to Ravens training camp

Highlights of Marlon Humphrey’s dominating start to Baltimore Ravens training camp

Marlon Humphrey has heard the yells and whispers from the critics and pundits. After an off-season spent shedding ten pounds, Humphrey looks rejuvenated and dominant through one week and a half of Ravens training camp practices.

Humphrey has been a ballhawk at cornerback, and with Nate Wiggins pushing for a starting job, the veteran has picked off MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson four times this summer.

Humphrey missed the first quarter of last season after having foot surgery and then dealt with a calf injury down the stretch of the Ravens’ 13-4 season.

Humphrey played just 13 snaps in the AFC title game loss, and he’ll be needed for a Baltimore defense looking to replace defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald and linebacker Patrick Queen.

His move inside to the slot or safety position could be sped up with the arrival of former Clemson cornerback Nate Wiggins, a first-round pick. But for now, he’s miles ahead of his process from last summer.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Roquan Smith on his approach: I’m angry every play, Never show any signs of weakness

Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith says he’s angry on every NFL play, and never shows any signs of weakness

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 recently spoke with the Lounge Podcast and described his approach to the game as “angry” while “never showing signs of weakness.”

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.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Zach Orr breaks down the physicality Trenton Simpson brings to the Ravens’ defense

Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr says that Trenton Simpson is a real physical player

Patrick Queen exited Baltimore stage left, taking his talents to Pittsburgh to join their AFC North rival, Steelers.

One reason the Ravens didn’t break the bank centers on former Clemson linebacker Trenton Simpson and the vast potential he brings to the defense alongside Roquan Smith. Following Tuesday’s practice, new defensive coordinator Zach Orr had high praise for Simpson, calling him a “physical player” who’s gotten even more explosive since last season.

Simpson gave a preview of his potential in the season finale against Pittsburgh, logging seven tackles and one sack on 26 snaps played in the rain.

A third-round pick in 2023, Simpson ran the 40-yard dash in 4.43 seconds at 6 feet, 2 inches, and 235 pounds. He’ll be even heavier in 2024 without losing any explosiveness.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Ravens second-year linebacker Malik Hamm suffered a season-ending torn ACL

Baltimore Ravens second-year linebacker Malik Hamm to miss the remainder of the season after tearing his ACL

Malik Hamm was an under-the-radar candidate to lead the Ravens’ pass rush unit, but he’ll miss the remainder of this season after Baltimore placed the second-year linebacker on injured reserve with a torn ACL.

A 23-year Baltimore native, Hamm was competing for a role in the outside linebacker rotation. He made the initial 53-man roster in 2023 as an undrafted rookie from Lafayette.

Head coach John Harbaugh labeled it a clean tear.

Hamm spent his entire rookie season on injured reserve (ankle) but made his presence felt as a pass rusher this spring during OTAs and minicamps.

The team signed veteran linebacker Quincy Roche in a subsequent move before Day 8 of training camp practices.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Ravens DC Zach Orr discusses his comfort level as a first-time play caller

After two seasons of orchestrating top-level defenses with the Baltimore Ravens, defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald was hired as the head coach of the Seattle Seahawks. The Ravens turned to inside linebacker coach and former All-Pro Baltimore …

After two seasons of orchestrating top-level defenses with the Baltimore Ravens, defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald was hired as the head coach of the Seattle Seahawks. The Ravens turned to inside linebacker coach and former All-Pro Baltimore linebacker Zach Orr to replace Macdonald.

Orr was asked about his comfort level heading into his first season as an NFL play-caller.

“I’m getting comfortable every single day,” Orr said. “Like I said, Coach [John] Harbaugh does a great job of putting us in real-life game situations, so you have to think on the fly, you have to be prepared, you have to have your call sheet ready, you have to think a step ahead. It’s a combination of that, and then going against our offense and going against ‘Monk’ [offensive coordinator Todd Monken] and Lamar [Jackson], Mark [Andrews], Zay [Flowers], both Zay’s [Zay Flowers and Isaiah Likely]. I can name a lot of people with our offense. Going against those guys makes it even that more challenging, but it’s preparing me for the moment, and I feel more comfortable every single day with that. And another thing is the coaching staff that we have helped prepare me on defense. Those guys are great coaches [and] great humans, so it’s not just me by myself; I’m leaning on those guys, and those guys are helping me out along the way.”

Filling Macdonald’s shoes will be no small feat, but the Ravens seem confident they picked the right man for the job.

Ravens Hall of Famer Jonathan Ogden feels the love while visiting training camp practice

Hall of Famer Jonathan Ogden is, in some ways, the ultimate tone-setter in Baltimore Ravens history

In some ways, Hall of Famer Jonathan Ogden is the ultimate tone-setter in Baltimore Ravens history. He was the club’s first draft pick, and he played in 11 Pro Bowls in his career.

The Ravens have long been known for being great at drafting and developing their prospects to reach their full potential.

And it all started with Ogden, who dropped by practice on Tuesday. Big cheers erupted when he waved from the sideline to the crowd on hand.

As is expected, whenever a club legend like this drops by. Ogden was the Ravens’ honorary captain at Super Bowl XLVII, where he saw his former team win their second championship.

Ogden was the starting left tackle on the team that won the Ravens’ first championship. The D.C. native visited with defensive coordinator Zach Orr and strong safety Kyle Hamilton.

While he dropped by to say hello to old friends and colleagues, it is unclear now if he was on hand for additional reasons beyond that.

Ravens move undrafted rookie Qadir Ismail from WR to the tight end position

The Baltimore Ravens are moving Qadir Ismail from the wide receiver position to the tight end spot

Qadir Ismail is vying for a spot on the Ravens’ roster this summer. With the wide receiver position stacked with talent, the versatile athlete has moved to the tight end position.

Ryan Mink reports that Ismail is now listed as a tight end. At 6 feet 6 inches, Qadir is hard to miss on the field and could develop into an intriguing option for the position.

Ismail was initially invited to try out at rookie minicamp and was signed to the 90-man roster at the start of Organized Team Activities.

A converted quarterback who transferred from Villanova to Samford University, he totaled 16 catches for 156 yards over two seasons as a wide receiver.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Ravens sign LB Quincy Roche after placing Malik Hamm on injured reserve

The Baltimore Ravens are signing linebacker Quincy Roche to a one-year deal after placing Malik Hamm on injured reserve Tuesday

The Ravens are signing veteran linebacker Quincy Roche after the team placed second-year pass rusher Malik Hamm on injured reserve.

Hamm, who was competing for a role in the outside linebacker rotation, has been placed on injured reserve for the second year in a row. As a rookie, Hamm initially made the Ravens 53-man roster in 2023.

A Maryland native, Roche played at New Town High School in Owings Mills and was a sixth-round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2021 after playing at the University of Miami.

Roche played 17 games with the New York Giants in 2021 and ’22, recording 40 tackles, 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble. Roche spent the 2023 season on the Minnesota Vikings practice squad before becoming a free agent.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]