Baltimore Ravens: Keep your eye on Chauncey Rivers

Baltimore Ravens: There’s an undrafted free agent you must keep your eye on. It’s Chauncey Rivers.

Last season we saw the Baltimore Ravens continue what now seems to be an annual tradition, keeping an undrafted rookie on the team.  Last season we saw Patrick Mekari and Otaro Alaka make it. Other undrafted rookies that have made the team in previous years include Justin Tucker, Patrick Ricard, and the recently departed Michael Pierce.  The Ravens have a history of finding gems in free agency after the draft.  But with this season having a whole new set of problems it will be hard for undrafted guys to prove themselves.  We will be taking a deep dive into some of these players fighting for roster spots (or practice squad spots) in this series.

Chauncey Rivers is best known for his role in Netlfix’s Last Chance U series.  He was featured in its second season when he was at EMCC.  He began his career at the University of Georgia as a highly regarded prospect but had issues with the law.  He went to EMCC and had a great season with eight sacks.  He then went to Mississippi State where he red-shirted a year and totaled eight sacks in two seasons.

Although Rivers may seem to have under-produced in college, he is a great athlete with incredible traits.  Even if the numbers don’t always show up on the stat sheet, he can impact games in many ways with his 6-2 262 pound frame.  Rivers is a pass rusher with very good hand fighting, and good body control.  He has found a lot of success on stunts and twists, and uses his body very well. With his size he can impact the run game with his hand in the ground or standing up as a pass rusher.

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I see him learning a lot under Calais Campbell and can play a similar role to Pernell McPhee with his ability to play inside a little and cause chaos in the pocket. Each of these players share traits that he has, and have found lots of success.  Campbell can help him maximize the use of his arms and his very large hands.  McPhee can help him become a more well rounded inside-outside rusher.  He can look at Jihad Ward‘s success last year as a guideline for how the Ravens like to use that role and he can transition into it in the future.

Although his consistency is sometimes lacking, he makes up for it with his versatility and potential.  He oftentimes is seen around the ball and is often seen driving his lineman into the backfield.  Rivers, also has the can drop into coverage if needed. Rivers just needs to find the right coach to put him in situations where he can succeed.  With the Ravens coaching staff he will have the perfect situation. Coach John Harbaugh is an experienced coach known for his ability to keep his players in line.  Rivers has been referred to as having maturity issues.  And Don Martindale has been referred to as a “genius” many times before by his players and fellow coaches.

At both EMCC and Mississippi State, Rivers was teammates with fourth round pick, Tyre Phillips.  This should help each of the transition to the next level and with a veteran core and great mentors, Rivers may not be a player that can make the 53 man roster initially, but if injuries (or COVID-19 cases) pile up, he can be a player that the team can easily turn to on the practice squad.

Rivers has sacked former LSU and current Cinnicinati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow in his past and has played in the SEC on a big stage for the majority of his career.  He should have no problem fitting into the Ravens locker room.  Look for Rivers to be someone who sticks around for a while.