Tag: Justin Ellis

Ravens officially announce 13 practice squad signings

The Ravens officially announced 13 practice squad signings

The Baltimore Ravens have always been able to find talent to keep on their practice squad. Whether those players are young guys or veterans, they do a good job of keeping balanced depth who can step up if called up to the active roster when needed, whether that’s on game day or permanently.

On Wednesday afternoon Baltimore officially announced 13 practice squad signings, which included many familiar faces such as quarterback Trace McSorley, defensive tackle Justin Ellis, defensive back Anthony Levine Sr., and defensive back Jordan Richards. They were also able to retain multiple young talents including wide receiver Binjimen Victor and offensive tackle Adrian Ealy.

With the Ravens announcing only 13 practice squad players so far, there are still three more spots available to be taken. Baltimore does not have a running back on their practice squad yet, and with the injury to J.K. Dobbins, it feels like an addition there could be imminent. Rookie FB/TE Ben Mason also didn’t appear on the initial list, and it feels like he could be an option to return to the team as well.

Ravens release veteran DT Justin Ellis

The Ravens released veteran defensive tackle Justin Ellis

The Baltimore Ravens have a plethora of depth at many different positions on their roster, and because of that will have to make many tough decisions as they trim their team down to 53 total players. Some players who deserve a spot with the organization won’t make the final roster, as this is one of the deepest teams that Baltimore has had in years.

The team made one of those tough decisions before the 4pm EST deadline, as Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that the Ravens have decided to part ways with one of their veterans in defensive tackle Justin Ellis.

Ellis was originally signed by the Ravens in the middle of the 2019 season when the team was dealing with injuries on their defensive line, including defensive tackle Michael Pierce. He was brought back for the entire 2020 season on a one-year deal, then signed another one-year contract in 2021.

It’s possible that Ellis returns to the team in some capacity, as it seems like Baltimore really likes his veteran leadership and what he can offer on the field.

In 17 games for the Ravens, Ellis accumulated 23 total tackles.

Watch: Ravens’ “Which Teammate” series returns with part two

Watch: Ravens’ “Which Teammate” series returns with part two

The Baltimore Ravens have been releasing videos that have provided a glimpse into the lives of many of their players. They asked the 2021 draft class a plethora of questions about themselves, and have since introduced a full team series called “Which Teammate”.

Baltimore returned with their second installment of their “Which Teammate” series, this time asking players questions about which one of their teammates would be most likely to pick them up if they had a flat tire, as well as which teammate they’d most want to switch places with.

There were plenty of interesting, heartfelt, and funny answers, but it seemed like for each question, there was a clear popular choice. Out of all of the answers combined, for the first question defensive tackle Justin Ellis and offensive lineman Bradley Bozeman seemed to be voted most likely to pick a teammate up if they had a flat, with many of their peers praising their character.

For the second question, there were a lot of different answers, but teammates mostly wanted to switch places with Lamar Jackson. Their reasonings for wanting to do so were diverse, including linebacker Patrick Queen, who (jokingly) said that he wanted to switch places with the quarterback because Jackson has No. 8, the number that he wore in college.

As more and more videos like the “Which Teammate” series come out, fans will continue to learn about the players and what they are like beyond the game of football, which is extremely important. The players that the Ravens have on their roster are exceptional people, so for the team to have a bit of fun with them as they ask questions and learn more about them is a great thing to see.

Ravens 2021 free agency: Grading every signing

With the first wave of free agency over and the picture a lot clearer, we grade all of the Baltimore Ravens’ free-agent signings.

The NFL offseason is underway, meaning contracts are getting signed. Whether it’s extensions for players already on the roster or the signing of completely new free agents, NFL teams are looking to bolster their rosters for the upcoming season. The Baltimore Ravens are no exception, having dipped their toe into the free-agent pool a couple of times as well as looking inward to bring back some familiar faces.

With the first wave of free agency finished, I wanted to take a look back at everyone the Ravens signed this offseason. We now have a far clearer picture of what Baltimore is looking to do as a whole, helping provide more realistic grades for each signing.

Ravens set to re-sign DT Justin Ellis on 1-year deal

The Baltimore Ravens are keeping some continuity on their defensive line, bringing back DT Justin Ellis on a one-year deal.

The Baltimore Ravens revamped their defensive line last offseason and apparently are looking to keep it rolling into 2021. According to NFL reporter Josina Anderson and confirmed by The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec, the Ravens are bringing back defensive tackle Justin Ellis. It’ll be a one-year deal worth $1.2 million

Baltimore originally signed Ellis midway through the 2019 season after a short stint with the Oakland Raiders. However, he was active for just four games with the Ravens that season. Still, Baltimore brought him back last offseason where he saw far more playing time, playing 34% of the defensive snaps and starting three games while Brandon Williams was out on the COVID-19 list. While Ellis hasn’t put up much in the way of stats, the Ravens’ coaching staff clearly likes what they’ve seen from him.

Re-signing Ellis would seem to be solely for depth but it is an interesting move when you consider Baltimore selected defensive tackles Justin Madubuike and Broderick Washington Jr. in the 2020 NFL draft. While Madubuike battled injuries and Washington only played on 15% of the defense’s snaps, both could be in line for far more playing time in 2021.

At the same time, the move could signal a desire to adjust Williams’ contract to free up some cap space. Williams is currently in the final year of his deal and carries a $14.42 million cap hit — the third highest on the team in 2021 — according to Over The Cap. Cutting Williams outright would free up $7.5 million, which is a massive amount considering the Ravens are currently projected to have just $18 million in available salary-cap funds. Ellis is by no means as capable as Williams but at just 8% of the cost and with Calais Campbell helping solidify the defensive line, Baltimore could be preparing to make a surprising move ahead of free agency.

Regardless of what happens elsewhere on the roster, the Ravens have brought back a defensive player they clearly like who has starting experience, and all for pretty cheap. It might not be the biggest move we’ve seen Baltimore make but it’s one that makes a lot of sense for them.

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What Daylon Mack being cut means for rest of Ravens defensive line

The shocking cutting of DT Daylon Mack at training camp has a lot of implications for the rest of the Baltimore Ravens defensive line

The Baltimore Ravens surprised many by making defensive tackle Daylon Mack one of their early cuts as they work to get down to the 80-man roster limit for training camp. A fifth-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, it was expected Mack would at least be given a chance to win a spot on the 53-man roster, if not the potential for a rotational role in certain packages in the regular season.

Mack’s early dismissal is a pretty big deal for several other guys on the roster bubble. It also might indicate what Baltimore wants to do on their defensive line moving forward.

For one, it gives UDFA defensive tackle Aaron Crawford a chance to finally breathe. With the Ravens needing to make quick cuts as training camp opens, the undrafted players were the ones with the biggest targets on their backs. UDFAs are developmental projects that likely won’t offer much impact this season, if ever. It also means the Ravens’ fifth-round pick in this year’s draft, Broderick Washington Jr., will have a better chance to make the final 53-man roster as well.

With the pandemic making training camp the first and only time the players will get on the field before the regular season begins, no one would blame Baltimore if it wanted to keep more experienced players over those that haven’t played a snap in the NFL yet. That’s especially the case with late-round and undrafted rookies on the depth chart.

Brandon Williams is set to be the starting defensive tackle this season, with Calais Campbell and Derek Wolfe likely flanking him on the defensive line most of the time. That means the remaining players at defensive tackle are fighting to be Williams’ primary backup. It’s a role that should get a decent number of snaps this season and could effectively be an unofficial interview for a starting spot if the Ravens move on from Williams’ high cap number next season.

Mack being out of the picture would mean that battle is likely to be centered around Justin Ellis and rookie Justin Madubuike. Ellis has more experience, having started 42 games over his six-year career, which might give him the edge there. But as a third-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Madubuike is no slouch either. Though Mack was a fifth-round pick last year and only got nine defensive snaps before heading to injured reserve, he would have been somewhat of a middle ground in the competition to be Williams’ backup.

Perhaps, more importantly, is the future of the position. Williams is a potential cap casualty next offseason, with Baltimore set to get back $9.5 million on a potentially lowered 2021 NFL salary cap, according to Over The Cap. If that happens, Madubuike and Washington would be the only two defensive tackles currently on the team still under contract. While Baltimore could easily sign a free agent or draft another defensive tackle to bolster the group next offseason, it narrows down the Ravens’ options early and points to those two being in line for a significant role in 2021.

A lot of things can and probably will still happen in this unusual offseason. But Mack is the first truly interesting cut for Baltimore and it has wide-reaching implications.

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Ravens added serious size to defensive line this offseason

Signing Calais Campbell, Derek Wolfe, Jihad Ward, and Justin Ellis; the Baltimore Ravens added 1,222 pounds to their defensive line

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The Baltimore Ravens came into the offseason with a clear objective of improving their defensive line. After struggling against the run at times last season, the hope is that beefing up the trenches will improve upon the defense’s weakest unit and help guide the Ravens to a Super Bowl.

With the addition of Calais Campbell via a trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars and the signing of unrestricted free agent Derek Wolfe, Baltimore has done exactly that. When combined with the re-signings of Justin Ellis and Jihad Ward, the Ravens have signed contracts with defensive linemen totaling 1,222 pounds this offseason.

Player Height Weight
Calais Campbell 6-foot-8 300 pounds
Derek Wolfe 6-foot-5 285 pounds
Justin Ellis 6-foot-2 350 pounds
Jihad Ward 6-foot-5 287 pounds

When added to the size of Brandon Williams, Daylon Mack and Patrick Ricard, the Ravens have over 2,200 pounds available on their defensive line.

Winning consistently in football is tough to do but for offenses looking to run the ball effectively inside against the Ravens, they’ll have the difficulty of moving a defensive line that averages 316 pounds. If Baltimore wants to put their serious weight upfront in obvious run situations, they can use Ellis, Daylon Mack and Brandon Williams together to create a defensive front that totals in at 1,026 pounds. That has all the looks of an impenetrable wall already.

Of course, adding more size to the defensive line is just one portion of what the Ravens need to do to remedy their run defense. Finding good inside and outside linebackers either in the 2020 NFL Draft or free agency will take advantage of the wall of meat Baltimore has in the trenches. However, those players will now find it easier to set the edge and scrape down to make plays on the ball carrier without having to battle through offensive linemen.

Though maybe not intentional, the Ravens have also helped their pass defense as well and could create even more turnovers in 2020 thanks to the height of their signings. Campbell alone is 6-foot-8, which will lead to plenty of passes batted down at the line of scrimmage or tipped into the air. With Wolfe and Ward both standing at 6-foot-5, opposing quarterbacks will find throwing lanes more cluttered with the hands and arms of defenders.

Wolfe and Campbell are no slouches when it comes to providing a pass rush from the interior either. Last season, the pair combined for 13.5 sacks and 51 pressures over 28 total games Between their height potentially blocking short and intermediate receivers for quarterbacks and their ability to get penetration keeping passers from sitting in the pocket on deep throws, the Ravens have massively revamped their entire defense thanks to the big boys up front.

Sometimes, in the game of football, size matters. And now Baltimore has it in spades on their defensive line.

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Grading the Ravens’ early free-agency moves

The Baltimore Ravens have been active before free agency even starts. But how have they done so far? We grade each trade and signing.

The Baltimore Ravens usually sit out the beginning of free agency, often choosing to sign players who are outright cut and those second-tier options that find themselves still on the market closer to the NFL Draft. But with a Super Bowl window clearly in front of them, general manager Eric DeCosta was pretty aggressive this offseason.

Baltimore has agreed to trades, both adding a player and sending one away. The Ravens have re-signed several of their own players while adding a pending free agent in the legal tampering period. In total, Baltimore has at least seven moves already on the docket and could continue to make some more in the coming days.

Let’s take a look at each move individually and give them all a grade to see exactly how well the Ravens have started free agency.

Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Franchise tagging Matthew Judon

Baltimore didn’t really have a choice here. Most of the pass rushers that were set to hit free agency were given the franchise tag and allowing Judon to hit the open market would have practically guaranteed the Ravens wouldn’t have been able to keep him.

While tagging puts a huge dent in Baltimore’s salary cap, they have some options now. The Ravens can hold off for a little while and wait for the market to set the bar on contracts for pass rushers. Or Baltimore can decide to deal him to a desperate team that’s willing to give up quite a lot for him. If push comes to shove, the Ravens can simply keep him on the franchise tag for 2020 and keep their top outside linebacker for the season.

Grade: A+

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What Justin Ellis’ signing mean for Ravens’ defensive line

The Baltimore Ravens have beefed up their defensive line even further by re-signing Justin Ellis but where does he fit on the defensive line

The Baltimore Ravens added even more weight to their defensive line, bringing back Justin Ellis on a one-year contract. The move comes as a part of Baltimore’s clear attempt to build up their defensive line this offseason to help shut down the type of rushing attacks they struggled so much against last season. But considering Ellis was a midseason addition that only played in 60 snaps over four games, where does he fit on the Ravens’ defensive line and what does it mean for the team through the rest of free agency?

In truth, Ellis isn’t the same type of splash addition Baltimore is set to pull off with Michael Brockers and Calais Campbell. Ellis should be viewed as rotational depth in the center of the Ravens’ defensive line. Depending on what his final contract numbers end up being, he might simply be some competition for Daylon Mack — Baltimore’s fifth-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft — in training camp, and a player the Ravens are willing and able to cut at the 53-man roster deadline without much in the way of financial repercussions.

However, the flurry of moves on the defensive line does point Baltimore away from Michael Pierce, one of their top pending free agents. The writing was already on the wall once the Ravens signed Brockers but adding Ellis back to the lineup on top of that pretty much cements it. That shouldn’t be much of a shock considering what Pierce is expected to earn in free agency but there was some hope Baltimore was going to bring him back.

The Ravens entered last season with just five defensive linemen on their roster, a move they quickly found to be a mistake. It caused them to bring on Ellis, Domata Peko, and Jihad Ward to patch up their holes and provide more depth. Even then, poor showings against Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb and Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry showed they still had a long way to go. Clearly, Baltimore doesn’t want the same problem to pop up this season, especially after going 14-2 last season and choking an opportunity at a Super Bowl away.

Ellis’ signing isn’t likely going to be a move that many will point to later in the season as a defining moment. But it’s these smaller signings and depth players that can turn a good team into a great one that can go the distance.

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Ravens re-sign DT Justin Ellis

The Baltimore Ravens bring back one of their midseason additions from last year in DT Justin Ellis as they build their defensive line

The Baltimore Ravens continue to beef up their defensive line in the early stages of the offseason. On the second and final day of the legal tampering period before free agency officially begins, the Ravens are re-signing defensive tackle Justin Ellis on a one-year deal, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

The move comes after Baltimore has agreed to a trade for Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Calais Campbell and terms on a three-year contract for pending free agent Michael Brockers.

The Ravens originally signed Ellis late last season, prior to their Week 11 game, as some additional experienced depth. However, Ellis was a healthy scratch for most of the season, playing in just four games for Baltimore (60 defensive snaps) and accounting for just six tackles. Ellis had spent the previous five years with the Oakland Raiders where he had 119 tackles and a half-sack as a rotational piece.

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