Ebony Bird
FanSided

3 unproven Baltimore Ravens to root for during training camp

By Chris Schisler

COLLEGE STATION, TX - OCTOBER 28: Nick Fitzgerald #7 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs scrambles for a first down in the fourth quarter tackled by Debione Renfro #29 of the Texas A&M Aggies and Otaro Alaka #42 at Kyle Field on October 28, 2017 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
COLLEGE STATION, TX - OCTOBER 28: Nick Fitzgerald #7 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs scrambles for a first down in the fourth quarter tackled by Debione Renfro #29 of the Texas A&M Aggies and Otaro Alaka #42 at Kyle Field on October 28, 2017 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MD – AUGUST 08: Alex McGough #2 of the Jacksonville Jaguars is pressured by Otaro Alaka #50 of the Baltimore Ravens during the second half of a preseason game at M&T Bank Stadium on August 8, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – AUGUST 08: Alex McGough #2 of the Jacksonville Jaguars is pressured by Otaro Alaka #50 of the Baltimore Ravens during the second half of a preseason game at M&T Bank Stadium on August 8, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /

2. Otaro Alaka

Otaro Alaka is a player that really popped last preseason. In fact, you could make the argument that he should have gotten a spot on the 53 man roster to start the 2019 season. Alaks is a hard working linebacker who could work his way up through the ranks as a special teams player. The inside linebacker positions have gotten a little crowded with the additions of Patrick Queen and Malik Harrison. It’s doubtful that he will get a ton of play in the defense even if he makes the team. What Alaka could do is prove that he offers more to the team than Chris Board does. He could steal Board’s job.

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Alaka is an undrafted free agent out of Texas A&M. He reminds me of Jameel McClain. McClain was a linebacker who got a chance on special teams and became a very solid linebacker for the purple and black. Alaka has a chance to have this kind of a progression. He’s a young player that the Ravens should want to hold on to. Because he has a high motor and he is such a solid tackler, he will always provide some value to the team. In two years, the Ravens have gotten just 22 total tackles from Board. They can get more than that from Alaka.

Alaka is in a tough spot. There are three players at his position who have a locked up roster spot (Queen, Harrison and L.J. Fort). Alaka has to show that he can be the fourth inside linebacker and the Ravens have to feel that they need to keep four inside linebackers. Alaka could prove himself and still come up short of the week one roster. That’s why he is such a good player to root for. He needs all the help he can get.

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