1. Ben Mason, FB/TE, Ravens
Remember when we talked about how the Ravens loathe cutting draft picks? This would surely make general manager Eric DeCosta uneasy.
The Ravens clearly had a plan for fullback Ben Mason when they selected him in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. The problem is, it’s been three months and it’s still unclear what that plan for him is.
Is he primarily a fullback? Is he primarily a tight end? Is he a hybrid of both? How does he fit in on the Ravens offense? None of those questions have been answered.
The result is a fifth-round pick who is seemingly fighting an uphill battle to make the 53-man roster. That’s never a good situation in year one of a player’s career.
Mark Andrews, Nick Boyle, and Patrick Ricard are locks for the roster — presuming Boyle is activated from the PUP list prior to the start of the season.
Offseason trade acquisition Josh Oliver impressed in the spring and seems to be the early favorite for the third tight end role. If that’s the case, would the Ravens consider carrying five tight ends/fullbacks in order to keep Mason on the roster?
Given the squeeze at other positions, that doesn’t seem like the best use of a roster spot.
Mason will get the opportunity to strut his stuff when the pads come on in training camp. He excelled at Michigan as a blocker and he’ll finally be given the opportunity to impress the coaching staff with his blocking chops this summer.
But will it be enough to save his job? One would think so — but then again, you never know.