Tag: jacob breeland

Ravens add another wide receiver to roster, waive tight end

Ravens add another wide receiver to roster, waive tight end

The Baltimore Ravens have been dealing with plenty of injuries over the first few days of 2021 training camp, especially at wide receiver. Last week they signed wideout Michael Derius to add more depth to the position while some of their other receivers heal, and on Monday they added yet another pass catcher.

Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic noted on Monday morning that wide receiver Siaosi Mariner was on the field with the team. While no roster move or corresponding move was announced, it seemed that he was a new addition to the roster.

Later in the day, Zrebiec reported that in order to make room for Mariner, Baltimore was waiving second-year tight end Jacob Breeland.

Mariner is a 6-foot-2, 190 pound receiver who accumulated 80 receptions for 1,196 yards and 11 touchdowns over his two years of college between Utah and Utah State. He signed with the Las Vegas Raiders as an undrafted free agent after the 2021 draft, but was waived in late-July.

A former University of Oregon star, Breeland signed with the Ravens as an undrafted free agent after the 2020 draft. Some viewed him as the best tight end prospect in the 2020 class before he suffered a gruesome knee injury just six games into his final college season after already putting up 26 receptions for 405 yards and six touchdowns. His injury never allowed him to play in a game or even step on the practice field for Baltimore.

Ravens’ Ben Cleveland, Jacob Breeland land on non-football injury list

Ravens’ Ben Cleveland, Jacob Breeland land on non-football injury list

The Baltimore Ravens were able to wrap up signing their 2021 draft class on Wednesday, as offensive lineman Ben Cleveland and defensive back Brandon Stephens inked their rookie deals on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively. However, that wasn’t the only piece of news to come out of Baltimore regarding a few of their players.

Jamison Hensley of ESPN took to Twitter to report that the Ravens had placed Cleveland and tight end Jacob Breeland on the non-football injury list.

It would seem that both Cleveland and Breeland weren’t able to pass Baltimore’s notoriously tough conditioning test. The Ravens don’t take conditioning lightly, and have sent players home in the past for not coming in to training camp in shape. Their test speaks to that, as former Baltimore players have even given their two cents about the assessment, including Jihad Ward.

Once Cleveland and Breeland pass their conditioning tests, they’ll be clear to practice with the team. The Ravens hold their players to a very high standard on the field and off of it, and that includes how well they keep conditioned during the offseason as well as in-season.

John Harbaugh ‘not too worried’ about Ravens’ tight end situation

The Baltimore Ravens have plenty of talent at the tight end position. John Harbaugh is excited about getting guys from the position in pads

The Baltimore Ravens have one of the best tight ends in the league in Mark Andrews. They also boast tight end Nick Boyle, who has developed into one of the best blocking tight ends in football. However, the team has plenty of other young talent at the position that will be competing for a roster spot for the upcoming 2021 season.

When asked about how the young tight ends currently on the team look so far such as Eli Wolf and Josh Oliver, head coach John Harbaugh had glowing things to say, and seemed excited to see how the battle at the position will play out over the course of the next few weeks.

“…Those are guys are flashing. They look really athletic. Let’s not forget Tony Poljan from Virginia there. You saw him make some catches today. He’s probably more of a guy that’s going to show up even more when the pads come on. So, I think all those guys have done exceptionally well. I cannot wait to see them again in pads and, like we said, play out, in terms of who plays the best in those situations. So, I’m not too worried about our tight end situation; they look good out there so far.”

Harbaugh singled out undrafted rookie Tony Poljan as a name he’s excited to see in pads, but players like Wolf, Oliver, Jacob Breeland, and even Eric Tomlinson could make some noise as they battle for the No. 3 tight end spot. Baltimore didn’t use three tight ends in 2020 nearly as much as they did in 2019, where it was a big part of their offense.

It feels like the team is gearing up to use three tight end sets to their advantage during the 2021 season. Putting multiple tight ends on the field at the same time can force defenses to put heavier personnel in, which can help the passing game, especially on play-action throws. The Ravens currently have a plethora of talent at tight end, and might have to make some tough decisions as they decide who will make the final 53-man roster.

Veteran tight end reportedly works out for Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens reportedly brought in veteran tight end Charles Clay for a visit late this week

The Baltimore Ravens have one of the best tight end duos in the entire NFL with Mark Andrews and Nick Boyle. However, the team might want to add another veteran playmaker at the position, as they’re looking at more options.

Adam Caplan of SiriusXM and Fox Sports Radio reported that Baltimore brought in veteran tight end Charles Clay for a visit late this week.

Clay has played for nine seasons in the NFL, last playing in 2019.  He’s accumulated 357 receptions for 3,868 yards and 24 touchdowns during his career. Clay is a versatile player, and can play in a H-back role, much like former Raven Kyle Juszczyk and fifth-round pick Ben Mason. If Baltimore believes that Clay could add another dimension to their offense, they could bring him into training camp and see if he can carve out a role for himself on the Ravens’ final 53-man roster.

The Ravens currently have a lot of other tight ends vying for a roster spot, including Josh Oliver, Eric Tomlinson, Jacob Breeland and Eli Wolf. Clay would compete with those players and others if signed by Baltimore.

Ravens reportedly bring in veteran tight end for visit

The Baltimore Ravens reportedly brought in tight end MyCole Pruitt for a visit this week. He would provide another option at the position

The Baltimore Ravens have felt the void that Hayden Hurst left after being traded to the Atlanta Falcons. He wanted a bigger role, and with Mark Andrews turning into one of the best tight ends in the NFL, Hurst wanted a chance to shine on his own.

Baltimore used three tight end sets a relatively high amount in 2019 with Andrews, Hurst, and Nick Boyle. While Andrews and Boyle still remain with the team, the Ravens have tried a plethora of options to try to replace Hurst, including Patrick Ricard, Eric Tomlinson, Luke Willson and more. Now it seems that they’re looking at another veteran tight end, as Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reported that Baltimore brought in MyCole Pruitt for a visit earlier in the week.

Pruitt has spent time with four teams over the course of his seven year career. In total, he’s caught 32 passes for 343 yards and four touchdowns. Pruitt is athletic and has good receiving skills as well as having the ability to be a good blocker, and could fill a role if signed by the Ravens.

Aside from Andrews and Boyle, Baltimore currently has tight ends such as Tomlinson, Josh Oliver, Jacob Breeland, Eli Wolf, Ben Mason, and others on their roster. If Pruitt is added to that mix, it would add to a crowded tight end room, but would increase competition and bring the best out of every player fighting for a roster spot.

With extremely deep offense, Ravens might have to make some difficult decisions

The Baltimore Ravens brought in plenty of playmakers to round out their offense. However, they could have to make some tough decisions

The Baltimore Ravens have always been a team that values depth at as many positions as possible. Having so much depth is a good problem to have, but sometimes it can create roster crunches that turn into tough decisions.

In 2021, Baltimore might have put together one of the deepest rosters they’ve ever had. The team only has a few minor needs, and even those don’t necessarily have to be addressed, as the players already on the roster can make those holes seem smaller than they actually are if they perform at a high level.

On the offensive side of the ball in particular, the Ravens made sure to add plenty of talented playmakers that can not only play at a high level, but also fit their style of play. Both the additions and the players already on the roster have bought into Baltimore’s style of offense, which is extremely important.

When looking at how deep each position on the offense actually is, one would be hard pressed to find any huge weaknesses. The team has three quality young quarterbacks, including a star in Lamar Jackson. They have three great young running backs as well that compliment each other while also bringing something different to the table than the other two.

Where the offseason additions begin to be seen is at the wide receiver position, where the team added Sammy Watkins, Rashod Bateman, and Tylan Wallace to compliment players such as Marquise Brown and Devin Duvernay. At tight end, the team has a plethora of options behind Mark Andrews and Nick Boyle, and the offensive line saw a boost with the acquisitions of Kevin Zeitler, Alejandro Villanueva and Ben Cleveland, as they’ll team up with Ronnie Stanley, Bradley Bozeman and others.

Having all of that depth is a good thing for the Ravens, but once it’s time for the team to trim their roster to 53 players, it could result in a few difficult roster decisions for Baltimore. At quarterback, the team might have to choose between Tyler Huntley and Trace McSorley if they need an extra roster space. Wide receivers Miles Boykin and James Proche seem like they’re going to be fighting over one roster spot. At tight end, there are a plethora of options who could try to secure the third tight end spot in Jacob Breeland, Eli Wolf, Eric Tomlinson, Josh Oliver, and others. Even on the offensive line, there will be training camp battles to determine multiple positions, and players like Ben Bredeson, Ben Powers, Tyre Phillips and more will have their hands full competing for both starting spots and roster spots.

Overall, the Ravens will go into the 2021 season with a well-rounded roster that can sustain good play even in the event of injuries. However, the team will most likely have to let some talented players go once it’s time to cut their roster down for the regular season.

 

Ravens Draft Prospect Profile: Brevin Jordan

The Baltimore Ravens missed using three tight end sets in 2020. Could the Ravens target Brevin Jordan?

The Baltimore Ravens value tight ends more than most of the NFL. Their three tight end sets using Mark Andrews, Hayden Hurst, and Nick Boyle took the league by storm in 2019, helping Baltimore put up historic rushing numbers. However, the team traded Hurst during the 2020 offseason, leaving a huge hole in their offense.

One player who could help the Ravens get back to their style of putting three tight ends on the field is University of Miami tight end Brevin Jordan. The 6-foot-3, 245 pound tight end enjoyed solid production as a Hurricane, putting up 105 receptions for 1,358 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Despite his great receiving numbers, he’s also a good blocker who would give Baltimore an all-around player who would fill in nicely next to Andrews and Boyle. His skill set would be perfect to fill a role like Hurst had for the Ravens, and he can be utilized all over the field in a variety of different ways.

Jordan is a monster in the open field, and was utilized on screens a lot in college. If Baltimore could scheme up plays to maximize his ability in space, it would make the Ravens’ offense even more of a nightmare to defend against.

It’s no secret that Baltimore missed using three tight ends in 2020. Despite having some other options on their roster such as Jacob Breeland, Eli Wolf, Josh Oliver and Eric Tomlinson, having a player like Jordan to pair with Andrews and Boyle would help the Ravens open up both their running game and their passing game even more.

Mark Andrews offers insight, praise of tight ends competing for 3rd spot on depth chart

With three players all fighting for one roster spot at the bottom of the Baltimore Ravens depth chart, Mark Andrews offered his insight.

The Baltimore Ravens love to use multiple tight-end sets in their offense. With Hayden Hurst traded to the Atlanta Falcons this season, that opens up a coveted third spot on the tight end depth chart to competition. And with a handful of players vying for the job, it’s going to be a pretty interesting battle before rosters are trimmed down to 53 players on Sept. 5.

Mark Andrews, the top tight end on Baltimore’s roster, is excited for what he sees.

“The tight end room is definitely going to be a battle, and those guys are working hard,” said Andrews. “But there’s a lot of talent in our room right now.”

Both Andrews and Nick Boyle are locks to make the team. Andrews had a breakout season as a receiver in 2019 but is set up to further explode in his third year. Boyle is one of the best blocking tight ends in the NFL and an underrated receiving threat too. That means the remaining group of Charles Scarff, Jerell Adams, and Eli Wolf are fighting for what is likely just one spot on the roster.

Many have given Wolf the best chance of making the team this year, especially after Jacob Breeland’s knee injury hadn’t recovered enough, pushing him to the reserve list. Though we should take it with a grain of salt, Wolf ran a ridiculously fast 40-yard dash of 4.43 seconds. That type of speed from a 6-foot-4 and 238-pound guy is an exciting proposition. Andrews has liked what he’s seen so far, specifically noting how quickly Wolf has picked up the playbook and his athleticism.

“Eli [Wolf], first of all, he’s done a great job of coming here and learning the system,” Andrews said. “He moves incredibly well, and I’m super excited to play with him some more and get on the field with him. But, he looks really good. I’m excited about that.”

Just because there are a few new faces this offseason, Scarff shouldn’t be discounted. He’s the player with the most time in the system, having been on Baltimore’s practice squad last season. That experience and the coaching staff’s familiarity with him could be the edge in an abbreviated offseason.

“Charles [Scarff] has been here for a year and knows the system extremely well,” Andrews continued. “Great blocker, has really good feet and he’s, honestly, pretty crafty with running routes.”

The newest member of the team is Adams, who was signed as a free agent last week following the team cutting Breelandto move him to the reserve list. Adams enters his fifth year in the NFL, something Andrews said was positive in this competition.

“Just being able to see him run routes and to see him move around,” Andrews continued. “He’s a guy that’s been in the league for a while and knows some things. So, he’s a good addition to the room.”

That’s a lot of praise coming from a Pro Bowl player. And it’s something coach John Harbaugh and his staff will need to sort through in short order at training camp. But having too many solid players fighting for a third tight end spot is a pretty good problem to have.

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UDFA TE Jacob Breeland clears waivers, goes on Ravens’ reserve list

UDFA tight end Jacob Breeland cleared waivers and was able to move to the Baltimore Ravens’ reserve list, stashing him for the 2020 season.

Baltimore Ravens tight end Jacob Breeland is still recovering from a torn ACL suffered last season with Oregon. While the Ravens won’t be able to use him this year, they were able to keep hold of him and effectively stash him until 2021.

According to the transaction wire, Breeland cleared waivers and was put to the reserve list. The move keeps Breeland with Baltimore for the rest of the season without counting towards their roster limit.

Breeland had a respectable 2019 campaign with Oregon, catching 26 passes for 405 yards and six touchdown receptions despite being injured after just six games. While Breeland was expected to be drafted, the injury ultimately saw his name not get called. Instead, Breeland signed with the Ravens as an undrafted free agent.

It was hoped Breeland would be able to compete for Baltimore’s third tight end job along with Charles Scarff and Eli Wolf. Instead, Breeland was sent to the reserve list while the Ravens signed veteran Jerell Adams to compete in training camp.

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Ravens move UDFA S Nigel Warrior off reserve/COVID-19 list to active roster

Baltimore Ravens UDFA safety Nigel Warrior has been moved to the active roster and can join the rest of the team at training camp.

The Baltimore Ravens officially have no players on the reserve/COVID-19 list after taking UDFA safety Nigel Warrior off it and moving him to the active roster. The move comes as Baltimore waived fellow UDFA tight end Jacob Breeland with a non-football injury designation, according to the team’s Twitter account.

Warrior initially entered the reserve/COVID-19 list at the beginning of training camp. Either he personally tested positive for the virus or he had been in close proximity to someone who had, causing the need to quarantine. However, with two negative tests in a row, Warrior was able to rejoin the rest of the team on the active roster. Warrior will complete for one of the reserve safety spots along with Geno Stone, Baltimore’s seventh-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Breeland had been rehabilitating this offseason after tearing his ACL with the Oregon Ducks last year. Though it was hoped Breeland would be able to compete for the third tight end job in training camp, it was expected he was going to be done for the year. Breeland being waived doesn’t necessarily mean his time with the Ravens has come to an end, however. If he clears waivers, Breeland could be put on Baltimore’s injured reserve, allowing the team to stash him until 2021.

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