Tag: Rasheen Ali

Ravens sign former Browns RB John Kelly ahead of preseason matchup vs. Falcons

Baltimore Ravens sign running back John Kelly ahead of preseason matchup vs. the Atlanta Falcons at M&T Bank Stadium on Saturday afternoon

The Baltimore Ravens added another running back to the depth chart, signing former Browns ball carrier John Kelly ahead of Tuesday’s practice.

Kelly was with Cleveland for four seasons, spending time on the active roster and practice squad. Kelly appeared in five games and had two carries for 13 yards.

The 2018 sixth-round pick joins the Ravens and brings special teams experience to a roster that includes Derrick Henry, Justice Hill, Keaton Mitchell (PUP list), Owen Wright, Rasheen Ali (Rookie), and Chris Collier (Rookie.).

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Top photos from Ravens 16-13 loss to Eagles in preseason opener

We’re looking at the top photos from the Baltimore Ravens 16-13 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the preseason opener at M&T Bank Stadium

The Ravens returned to the field for live game action for the first time since their heartbreaking, 17-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC title game.

Baltimore hosted Philadelphia at M&T Bank Stadium, with both teams on similar arcs, and championship paths. Starting quarterback Lamar Jackson sat out along with key starters on both sides of the football.

Eagles kicker Jake Elliott made a 49-yard field goal with no time remaining to give the Philadelphia Eagles a 16-13 victory after Baltimore quarterback Emory Jones — who had just entered the game — was sacked and fumbled on the next play.

The recovery by Patrick Johnson gave Elliott his final opportunity of the night.

With Baltimore set to start preparation for the Falcons in the second week of the preseason, we’re looking at the top photos from Friday night.

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Ravens training camp: Top photos from Day 5 of practice

We’re looking at the top photos from Day 5 of Baltimore Ravens training camp practices

The Ravens had a day off from training camp on Thursday but returned to the Under Armour Performance Center on Friday and Saturday for their first two full-padded summer practices. Lamar Jackson returned to the lineup after a medical evaluation for flu-like symptoms. At the same time, the team honored the late Jacoby Jones on the day that family and friends traveled to New Orleans for his funeral services. With Sunday’s practice quickly approaching, here are takeaways and notes from Saturday’s session. ***

Ravens initial 90-man roster arranged by uniform number ahead of training camp

Baltimore Ravens’ 90-man roster at the start of 2024 training camp

The Baltimore Ravens have officially reported to the Under Armour Performance Center for the start of training camp with the first practice scheduled for Sunday morning.

There will be starting jobs and roster spots up for grabs, which should make for some intriguing position battles throughout camp and the preseason.

Currently, the Ravens have 90 players on their roster, and that will be trimmed down to 53 ahead of the start of the regular season, and by August 27.

With training camp underway, here’s an updated look at the Ravenss’ initial 90-man roster at the start of training camp, organized by jersey number.

Ravens RB coach Willie Taggart describes what he’s seen from rookie Rasheen Ali

Ravens running back coach Willie Taggart describes what he’s seen from running back Rasheen Ali

The Baltimore Ravens selected running back Rasheen Ali in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL draft. The former Marshall star will likely have some level of a role with the team before fellow rusher Keaton Mitchell returns to the fold, allowing him to shine.

Ali wants to make an early impact and hopes to make the most of his NFL opportunity. Baltimore running backs coach Willie Taggart was asked about Ali and said that the rookie is getting more comfortable during early workouts with the team.

“Rasheen [Ali] … Actually, I had a chance to coach against him in [college], so I knew what we were getting when we drafted him. And to have him around … Again, he’s a young man that really, really wants to be really good and wants to know everything. He’s another one that’s calling and texting and wanting to know what he’s supposed to do. He wants to know way in advance. He’ll call … I’ll get a call or text tonight, and [he’ll] ask about the script tomorrow and what to do. But watching him out here, each practice, he’s getting better and better. You can tell that he’s getting comfortable, and from a talent standpoint, he’s very talented. I’m excited to see him in training camp – when we get in pads – to see him play, and [I’m] excited to see how he does in [the] preseason. But I think he’s going to be a really good back for us. I really like what he’s doing.”

Taggart also raved about Ali from a talent standpoint, mentioning that he coached against him when he was coaching in the college ranks. While Ali might not have the biggest role in 2024, he should be able to find snaps somewhere, especially until Mitchell retakes the field.

Lamar Jackson praises rookie Rasheen Ali, rest of Ravens running back group

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson praised rookie running back Rasheen Ali alongside the rest of the team’s running backs

Lamar Jackson praises rookie Rasheen Ali, the rest of the Ravens running back group.

The Baltimore Ravens bolstered their running back group during the 2024 offseason. They signed former Tennessee Titans rusher Derrick Henry, but that’s not their only move.

The team selected Marshall running back Rasheen Ali in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL draft, hoping he would be an impact player. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson was asked about Ali and praised him alongside the rest of the team’s running backs.

“Oh, [Rasheen Ali] looks smooth, man. He’s pretty fast from what I’ve seen on the field. But, it’s not just him. We’ve got Justice [Hill], [and] we’ve got ‘O’ [Owen Wright] doing their thing. The backs are looking good.”

Jackson has often sung the praises of Henry and running back Keaton Mitchell. However, the quarterback seems confident in all of Baltimore’s rushers, with another big year hopefully in store for the group.

Ravens sign RB Rasheen Ali to rookie deal

Baltimore Ravens sign Rasheen Ali to 4-year rookie deal

The Ravens have five running backs under contract after signing former Marshall star Rasheen Ali to his standard four-year rookie deal.

Ali was drafted in the fifth round and is a dual-threat home run hitter who could serve as the Ravens’ No. 3 running back at the start of the season with Keaton Mitchell returning from a torn ACL.

Ali is working his way back from a torn biceps suffered at the Senior Bowl but ran for 39 career touchdowns at Marshall, the third most touchdowns among collegiate backs since 2021. Ali totaled 2,831 yards for his career while averaging 5.5 yards per carry, including 1,135 yards and 15 touchdowns last season.

John Harbaugh gives injury updates on several players after start of rookie minicamp

With the start of rookie minicamp, Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh got a look at the team’s draft class and crop of undrafted rookies in person. Harbaugh was asked about the plan for fifth-round running back Rasheen Ali. The Marshall back …

With the start of rookie minicamp, Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh got a look at the team’s draft class and crop of undrafted rookies in person.

Harbaugh was asked about the plan for fifth-round running back Rasheen Ali. The Marshall back was coming off an injury suffered at the Senior Bowl and was only seen running to the side to start camp.

“Yes, they said that he’s going to be able to do more and more as we go here in the offseason,” Harbaugh said. “I think they just want to protect the bicep, so it doesn’t get grabbed and re-injured. As soon as they’re comfortable that that won’t happen – he’s doing all the non-air stuff, then when they’re comfortable with that, I think he’ll be out there at practice. There’s a chance he could see some OTAs. He’ll certainly be more than ready for training camp.”

Harbaugh then gave injury updates on two more players, third-round outside linebacker Adisa Isaac and undrafted safety Beau Brade.

“We had some other guys have some issues,” Harbaugh said. “Beau [Brade] rolled his ankle yesterday, so you didn’t see him today. [Adisa] Isaac kind of tweaked his hammy [hamstring] just a little bit yesterday, so that kind of stuff happens.“

Ravens GM Eric DeCosta thinks RB Rasheen Ali can contribute right away

The Baltimore Ravens added another running back to their offense by selecting Marshall’ Rasheen Ali with the No. 165 overall pick in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. The Ravens made a splash in free agency by signing veteran running back …

The Baltimore Ravens added another running back to their offense by selecting Marshall’ Rasheen Ali with the No. 165 overall pick in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. The Ravens made a splash in free agency by signing veteran running back Derrick Henry to take over as the team’s bell-cow runner, but Ali will have a chance to earn a role behind him.

Baltimore general manager Eric DeCosta was asked if he felt that Ali could contribute right away, similar to 2023 undrafted rookie Keaton Mitchell, who had a substantial impact on the field last season before suffering a season-ending knee injury.

“Yes, I think that’s right. [Rasheen Ali]’s an explosive guy. I think he runs hard. He finishes his runs. He catches the ball well; he can run routes; he’s a good pass protector. Like I said, at the Senior Bowl, he was a guy that I noticed very quickly. He got hurt, but during the practice week, he was very explosive, and I think we all took note. We had him visit a few weeks ago. He’s an interesting kid. He’s got a great background – other than the fact that he’s from Cleveland, of course – but he’s got a great background, and I think he will be a good player for us. ”

Mitchell will likely take some time to recover from the late-season injury, giving Ali a chance to earn reps alongside Henry and Justice Hill in the Ravens’ backfield.

How did the Ravens do in draft value relative to the 2024 consensus board?

The Ravens selected nine players in the 2024 NFL draft, with Eric DeCosta getting great value from four of his first six picks. Value is an integral part of the draft process. Understanding the board is vital to judging how teams maximized value …

The Ravens selected nine players in the 2024 NFL draft, with Eric DeCosta getting great value from four of his first six picks.

Value is an integral part of the draft process. Understanding the board is vital to judging how teams maximized value during the draft.

Establishing actual “value” on NFL draft prospects is incredibly difficult, with all 32 NFL teams having different schemes, cultures, and ideas of what elite talent looks like.

Arif Hasan of Wide Left Football creates the go-to consensus board, ranking the top 300 players in the draft class based on 101 big boards from draft analysts. As Hasan noted, “the consensus of these experts does a better predictive job than individual experts.”

With the draft now final, here are Baltimore’s picks, consensus rank, pick number, and the difference between the two.

Consensus rank: 24

Pick number: 30

Difference: +6


Consensus rank: 75

Pick number: 62

Difference: -13


Consensus rank: 66

Pick number: 93

Difference: +27


Consensus rank: 82

Pick number: 113

Difference: +31


Consensus rank: 55

Pick number: 130

Difference: +75