The Baltimore Ravens have found considerable success developing undrafted free agents in the past. And there’s a chance that Adrian Ealy could become the team’s next undrafted success story.
Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox recently released an article detailing the best undrafted free agent in each team’s training camp. Ealy earned the nod for the Ravens.
A two-year starter at Oklahoma, Ealy somewhat surprisingly went undrafted following the 2021 NFL Draft. But the former Sooners standout has a chance to make Baltimore’s roster this summer.
Knox explained his reasoning and insisted that Ealy could develop into a quality backup before long.
"“A 6-foot-6, 321-pound prospect out of Oklahoma, Ealy has the size and the physical strength to hold up against NFL defenders. While technically on the raw side, Ealy was a two-year starter at right tackle for the Sooners and stood out at the Senior Bowl.Ealy isn’t likely to vie for a starting job early in his career, but he could develop into a quality backup swing tackle in Baltimore.”"
Adrian Ealy could make the Ravens roster out of training camp.
Ealy could follow in the footsteps of other former undrafted success stories on the Ravens roster such as Gus Edwards, Patrick Ricard, and Justin Tucker.
He’ll have every opportunity to earn a roster spot too given the lack of offensive tackle depth the team has.
Ronnie Stanley is returning from a season-ending ankle injury while free-agent addition Alejandro Villanueva will man the right tackle position with Orlando Brown Jr. now gone.
Behind them, however, is a sizable question mark.
The presumed favorite to win the swing tackle job out of camp is 2020 third-round pick Tyre Phillips who saw considerable playing time at guard as a rookie.
If Phillips can hold up at tackle, the job is likely his to lose. But there’s no guarantee the transition will go as smoothly as the team hopes.
Veterans Patrick Mekari and Michael Schofield could also play tackle in a pinch, but it’s neither of their natural positions.
Andre Smith is also in the mix, although after opting-out of last season, he enters camp behind the eight ball. He’ll need a strong summer to secure a roster spot.
Ealy has a chance to make the 53-man roster if he could impress the coaching staff in training camp and the preseason.
And who knows, perhaps he could prove to be the long-term solution at right tackle. At the very least, the Ravens would love to see him develop into a reliable swing tackle.
Don’t sleep on Adrian Ealy. He’s certainly more notable than your average undrafted rookie.