Baltimore Ravens UDFAs – Syndication Server

Ravens break 16-year streak by not keeping any UDFAs

The Baltimore Ravens brought on a lot of undrafted free agents this offseason but none could pass muster and make the Ravens’ 53-man roster.

The Baltimore Ravens have been well known for finding diamonds in the rough. Through excellent scouting and even better player development, the Ravens have seen several undrafted free agents not only make the team over the years but turn into impact players. That, sadly, won’t be the case in 2020.

After the Ravens’ 53-man roster was set, none of the 12 UDFAs that were on the 80-man roster as of Friday made the team. This ends a 16-year streak where the Ravens have had at least one UDFA make the 53-man roster, which started way back in 2003.

It was expected to be an especially difficult year for the UDFAs. With the coronavirus pandemic hitting the United States before the 2020 NFL Draft, Baltimore stopped all travel and the NFL shut down any in-person tryouts. However, the Ravens still managed to find a bunch of undrafted players they liked enough to sign and have play during training camp. But without any preseason games, it only made it harder for the young and unproven players to showcase their talents and earn a spot on the Ravens’ 53-man roster.

We gave a few of the UDFAs solid chances of making the team this year. But as the roster cuts began trickling in, it became obvious Baltimore was looking to keep the more well-known options instead.

However, all is not lost. With a 16-man practice squad this season, the Ravens could look to bring back most of their UDFAs to continue developing with the team this season.

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Ravens place UDFA TE Jacob Breeland on non-football injury list

The Baltimore Ravens continued to trim the roster down to 80 players ahead of training camp, placing UDFA TE Jacob Breeland on the NFI list

The Baltimore Ravens are working to trim their roster down to 80 players ahead of officially opening training camp on Tuesday. One such move was placing undrafted free agent tight end Jacob Breeland on the non-football injury (NFI) list, according to the team’s Twitter account.

Breeland had been primed for a big 2019 at Oregon ahead of the 2020 NFL Draft. He set career highs in all major receiving categories in spite of playing just six games due to a torn ACL, catching 26 passes for 405 yards and six receiving touchdowns. Breeland went undrafted, signing with the Ravens this offseason as a UDFA.

It was hoped Breeland would be ready for the start of training camp. After Baltimore traded tight end Hayden Hurst to the Atlanta Falcons this offseason, there was at least one open roster spot on the depth chart. Both Breeland and fellow UDFA Eli Wolf are expected to compete for the Ravens’ third tight end spot behind Mark Andrews and Nick Boyle, with the potential for a meaningful role in Baltimore’s tight-end-heavy scheme this season.

Breeland’s placement on the NFI list keeps him with the Ravens as he continues to recover from his injury. However, it also means he can’t practice with the team until he’s taken off the list and put back on the 80-man roster. It’s a good opportunity for Baltimore to keep Breeland around while maximizing their already reduced roster space due to the COVID-19 restrictions the NFL and NFLPA agreed to this offseason.

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Ravens place safety Nigel Warrior on reserve/COVID-19 list

Baltimore Ravens undrafted free agent safety Nigel Warrior will now enter a quarantine period after entering the reserve/COVID-19 list

The Baltimore Ravens had their first known run-in with COVID-19 as they opened the Under Armour Performance Center for training camp. According to Sunday’s transaction wire, the Ravens placed undrafted free agent safety Nigel Warrior on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Warrior was one of six players to get the designation on Sunday.

That doesn’t necessarily mean Warrior actually tested positive himself, however. The list can be used for a player who needs to quarantine after being in contact with someone who has tested positive. With players coming into town from all around the country for training camp, it’s likely there are going to be some players around the league that test positive for the virus or have been around those that have.

While training camps are opening around the league, with the rookies the first to report, not every team is on the same footing right now. All 32 teams need to submit an Infectious Disease Emergency Response (IDER) plan and have it approved by both the NFL and NFLPA before allowing more than 20 players into their training facility. Though every team has had their plans approved by the NFL, the Ravens are one of a handful of teams to have their IDER plan approved by the NFLPA thus far.

This is just one of the changes this offseason as the league tries to safely work around the coronavirus pandemic. Among the things ironed out between the NFL and NFLPA were more frequent testing at the start of training camp, no preseason games, reduced training camp rosters, and a minimum 2021 salary cap of $175 million.

Warrior is one of 21 UDFAs Baltimore brought on this offseason. Though Baltimore is well situated at safety, signing Chuck Clark to a three-year extension and adding Geno Stone in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL Draft, Warrior is expected to push for a spot on the Ravens’ 53-man roster this year. Warrior proved to be a talented and productive safety at Tennessee, contributing 60 total tackles and coming down with four interceptions for 102 return yards last year.

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8 UDFAs most likely to make Ravens’ 53-man roster

The Baltimore Ravens have a history of finding gold in their UDFA class. But which ones can really make the Ravens’ roster in 2020?

The Baltimore Ravens’ front office has earned a reputation for being one the best in the NFL, scouting and drafting star talent over the years. But perhaps their best work has been done after the draft, with the undrafted free agents.

The Ravens have a history of finding diamonds in the rough with their UDFA classes. Stars have been born from the group, from linebacker Bart Scott to kicker Justin Tucker, Baltimore has gotten quite a lot of value from the forgotten draft prospects. Entering this offseason, the Ravens have had at least one UDFA make the 53-man roster for the last 16 consecutive years.

With the 2020 NFL Draft over, Baltimore brought in 21 UDFAs to fight for roster spots. While some are pretty clearly training camp fodder, others have a legitimate chance of making the cut and extending the Ravens’ streak. Whether it’s from outstanding talent or being at a more shallow position, these eight players have the best shot of making the Ravens’ 53-man roster in 2020.

TE Jacob Breeland

With the trade of Hayden Hurst to the Atlanta Falcons, there’s a third spot on Baltimore’s tight end depth chart. Obviously, Nick Boyle and Mark Andrews are in the first two spots but Charles Scarff is far from a lock to make the team as the third option, even if he was on the practice squad with the Ravens last year. With a competition brewing at tight end, Breeland has the experience and college production to point to him being in the mix.

Breeland had his best season at Oregon in 2019, despite playing in just six games. He caught 26 passes for 405 yards and six touchdowns, proving he’s a pretty effective weapon. He’s got a big frame at 6-foot-5 and 252 pounds, and with solid hands, Breeland is a good option in the receiving game. While his blocking isn’t the worst I’ve ever seen, he’ll be more useful as a chip-blocker before going out for a route.

The biggest knock against Breeland is that he’s coming off a season-ending injury, tearing his ACL and meniscus, requiring surgery. Though he had to miss the NFL Scouting Combine, he suffered the injury in October, which means he could still be healthy enough to really compete for the roster spot at training camp.

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Ravens defensive depth chart projection following the 2020 NFL Draft

With the 2020 NFL Draft finished and the team gearing up for training camp, let’s take a look at how the Baltimore Ravens depth chart looks

The Baltimore Ravens nearly have their 90-man roster set up. With the addition of UDFAs, some free-agent help, and a 10-man 2020 NFL Draft class, the Ravens’ roster is pretty close to the final version we’ll see in training camp. As Baltimore begins preparing for on-field work, the front office will take a close look at their depth chart to find any potential holes still remaining and identify some of their more important roster battles.

On defense, the Ravens are returning most of their starters but have completely revamped their defensive line and inside linebacker corps this offseason. It’s a strategy that looks to stop their biggest flaw from last season while continuing to build towards the future. However, those changes mean more battles and new faces on Baltimore’s defensive depth chart.

Just as I did for the offense, we’re taking a look at the defense with the roster of players currently signed. Also, the Ravens tend to move players around into different roles depending on what packages they’re running, so this is ultimately an oversimplification of Baltimore’s defense and the jobs within.

Here’s how the Ravens’ depth chart on defense is shaping up right now:

Defensive tackle:

1st	2nd	3rd
Derek Wolfe	Justin Madubuike	Broderick Washington Jr.

Though the Ravens label this position as “defensive tackle” it’s really more of a defensive end in a 3-4 front. However, Baltimore tends to play their in-betweeners here . . . those guys that can rush the quarterback but offer more as a run defender.

Wolfe was signed to be that guy for the Ravens. He’s a complimentary piece on the defensive line that is solid against the run and has been able to get pressure on the quarterback as well, though that’s not exactly his strong suit. The same goes for Madubuike and Washington, though with both being rookies, they’re going to be relegated to backup roles initially and be groomed to replace Wolfe as early as next season.

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Ravens sign 6 more UDFAs, including OLB Marcus Willoughby

The Baltimore Ravens continue to work through the UDFA group, signing another six more prospects to their 90-man roster.

The Baltimore Ravens are moving paperwork this week, adding another six undrafted free agents to their 90-man roster, according to a press release from the team. These deals come at the same time the Ravens have signed the first of their 10 2020 NFL Draft picks, defensive tackle Broderick Washington Jr.

With the signing of six more UDFAs, it brings their total to 11 signed thus far. Baltimore had been linked to 18 prospects in our UDFA tracker, though with the coronavirus pandemic making getting physicals tougher, deals are slower to come through than in previous years.

Take a look at the six newest Ravens:

CB Khalil Dorsey, Northern Arizona

You can never have too many cornerbacks — At least that’s what former general manager Ozzie Newsome once said. Dorsey was productive at Northern Arizona, starting 40 games and notching 197 combined tackles, 8.5 tackles for a loss, one sack, eight interceptions and 41 passes defensed. More impressively, Dorsey blocked two kicks, which could be his ticket on the 53-man roster.

CB Josh Nurse, Utah

Like Dorsey, Nurse enters a pretty deep cornerback group in Baltimore. Nurse hasn’t started many games, winning the starting job for 10 games in 2019, playing mostly on special teams before that.

WR Jaylon Moore, Tennessee-Martin

As a small-school prospect, Moore could easily be overlooked. But he was productive, starting 25-of-39 games and catching 92 passes for 1,492 yards and 18 receiving touchdowns. At 5-foot-11 and 191 pounds, Moore is more primed for the slot than as an outside receiver, though he also returned three kickoffs in 2019 and could factor in that competition with the Ravens.

S Nigel Warrior, Tennessee

We identified safety as one of the positions Baltimore had to pay attention to for the future. Though the starting lineup is cemented in place, there’s not a ton of depth at either free safety or strong safety. The Ravens did take Geno Stone in the 2020 NFL Draft but Warrior could earn a roster spot with great play on special teams and work his way up the roster over time.

OLB Marcus Willoughby, Elon

Pass rushers are perhaps the second-most coveted position in the NFL, right behind the quarterback they’re trying to bring down. Since the Ravens didn’t address the position in the 2020 NFL Draft, Willoughby will have a legitimate chance to make the 53-man roster with a good showing in training camp and the preseason.

Willoughby posted 224 combined tackles, 31 tackles for a loss, and 16.5 sacks over four years with Elon.

TE Eli Wolfe, Georgia

With the trade of Hayden Hurst, Baltimore has two top tight ends but will be searching for a third to provide depth. Wolfe will compete with Charles Scarff for that final spot.

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Ravens officially sign LB Jake Ryan, 3 UDFAs

The Baltimore Ravens make their deal with free-agent linebacker Jake Ryan official as well as their deals with three more UDFAs.

The Baltimore Ravens keep marching forward in their quest to build out their 90-man roster. Though they had agreed to terms with linebacker Jake Ryan, the Ravens made it official after he passed a physical, according to a press release from the team.

Baltimore also signed three more undrafted free agents, bringing their count to eight officially under contract. These three players add to their 10-man 2020 NFL Draft class:

OLB/DE Chauncey Rivers, Mississippi State
WR Michael Dereus, Georgetown
C Sean Pollard, Clemson

Ryan adds valuable experience to what had been the Ravens’ weakest unit before the 2020 NFL Draft. With the addition of Patrick Queen in the first round and Malik Harrison in the third round, Baltimore now has a wealth of young talent as well as a few veteran options at their disposal for the upcoming season.

Ryan has had an injury-filled career, first with the Green Bay Packers for three seasons and then two years with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Over five seasons in the NFL, Ryan has played in just 45 of 80 possible games. But when on the field, Ryan has been productive as a run defender, notching 213 combined tackles along with one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries.

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The three UDFAs add depth to some positions that are expected to have fierce competition in training camp. But with a history of at least one UDFA making the 53-man roster for 16 consecutive years, it’s a group that bears watching.

Rivers joins an outside linebacker group that isn’t very deep and has no definitive starter beyond Matthew Judon. Jaylon Ferguson and Tyus Bowser figure to compete for the starting job opposite Judon but any backup role is firmly up in the air among the rest of the roster. The Ravens are hoping to see Rivers put up the type of stats he did at Mississippi State, where he posted eight tackles for a loss and five sacks as a defensive end in 2019.

Dereus joins a group of wide receivers that are becoming increasingly deep after Baltimore has spent two picks in each of the 2019 and 2020 NFL Draft. But there are still expected to be a major competition for likely one or two roster spots at the position, as well as time on the practice squad. Over 11 games in 2019, Dereus caught 41 passes for 726 yards and five touchdowns.

Pollard adds much-needed depth at center where last year’s starter, Matt Skura, is still recovering from a season-ending knee injury. He’ll join Patrick Mekari and Colon-Castillo as UDFAs at the position behind the presumptive starter Skura. If Skura isn’t fully healthy to start training camp, the Ravens will likely push the other three to compete for the starting job.

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Ravens offensive depth chart prediction following 2020 NFL Draft

With the addition of 10 more players via the NFL Draft and five UDFAs, the Baltimore Ravens depth chart on offense has a lot of competition

The Baltimore Ravens have added 10 new players via the 2020 NFL Draft and another five undrafted free agents to their roster. With the offseason ticking down to training camp, Baltimore is beginning to iron out how their depth chart looks to find holes they still need to address and what jobs are up for competition.

Though the Ravens returned 10 of their 11 starters from last season’s top-scoring unit, Baltimore actually has a lot more competition than you might think. Most of the starters are in place but players behind them will be jockeying not only for playing time come the regular season but the chance to make the 53-man roster at all.

With the roster as it stands following the 2020 NFL Draft and the few UDFAs they’ve actually signed, here’s how the Ravens’ depth chart is shaping up.

Quarterback:

1st	2nd	3rd	4th
Lamar Jackson	Robert Griffin III	Trace McSorley	Tyler Huntley

As if it wasn’t obvious beforehand, Jackson’s MVP win makes sure he’s cemented into the top spot on the depth chart. With such an obvious starter in place, the questions really begin right after him.

While Griffin has earned trade talk before and could still be traded this offseason, he brings the most experience at quarterback which makes him better suited as the guy who would replace Jackson if an injury occurred. A similar skill set as the rest of the bunch doesn’t hurt either, making sure his backup role isn’t in jeopardy.

With Griffin the better choice as Jackson’s backup, that puts McSorley firmly in the third-string role at this point. The Ravens kept him on the 53-man roster all last season, even though he was active for just one game. That speaks volumes about how Baltimore feels about McSorley, not wanting to risk putting him on the practice squad where he could get poached.

As is usual for most teams at this time of the year, a fourth quarterback was added to the mix to be used as a training camp arm. Still, I wouldn’t discount Huntley from impressing enough to at least put a little fire under McSorley.

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Ravens sign 2 more UDFAs after 2020 NFL Draft

The Baltimore Ravens added to their UDFA class, signing KSU FB Bronson Rechsteiner and Redlands CB Jeff Hector.

The Baltimore Ravens are steadily adding to their UDFA class. After signing three players at the end of the week, Baltimore added two more to the mix, according to a press release.

CB Jeff Hector, Redlands
FB Bronson Rechsteiner, Kennesaw State

When added to their 10-pick haul in the 2020 NFL Draft, that means 15 rookies are currently on the roster and will be fighting for roster spots this offseason. Though the Ravens have been linked to at least 18 UDFA players following the 2020 NFL Draft, they’ve only officially signed five thus far. With the coronavirus pandemic making getting physicals a little more difficult than in previous years, the UDFA process is clearly being slowed down as a result.

Hector started 11 games over two years at Redlands, notching eight interceptions, returning three for touchdowns. He also had 14 passes defensed, 47 combined tackles and two sacks.

For those wrestling fans, the Rechsteiner name might bring back memories. Bronson is the son of Rick Rechsteiner and nephew of Scott Rechsteiner, who both wrestled in the WWF and WCW.

Rechsteiner’s path to the NFL might also sound familiar to Baltimore’s other fullback Patrick Ricard. After originally joining KSU as a linebacker in 2016, Rechsteiner moved to running back the next season. The Ravens love players with versatility and having some potential to play both sides of the ball could see Rechsteiner on the short list to make the team.

Rechsteiner carried the ball 244 times for 1,496 rushing yards and nine touchdowns, adding another 12 receptions for 189 yards.

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