The Baltimore Ravens are creeping closer to their preseason finale. They take on the Washington Commanders on Friday in what will be the final audition for those fighting to make the 53-man roster. It’s bound to get heated.
It feels like the roster competition is more stiff this year versus years past—the coaching overhaul from John Harbaugh to Jesse Minter will do that. The starters are set in 99% of positions, but several depth battles are taking center stage.
Unfortunately for these guys, though, the field has likely already engulfed them. Here are three players who can already kiss that coveted roster spot goodbye.
3 Baltimore Ravens who might have run out of time to claim a 53-man roster spot
CJ Okoye
CJ Okoye was in the same position last year. He’s once again duking it out to take one of the final roster spots. Just like in 2025, though, it’s looking like his efforts won’t be enough.
This year’s defensive line room is more crowded. Baltimore revamped the unit with talent at the top in Calais Campbell, and depth through the seventh-round selection of Rayshaun Benny.
Benny in particular is Okoye’s main competition, and it’s looking like the rookie is winning the war. Benny has been active all training camp and preseason, while Okoye has been quieter.
And even if Okoye turns the tables and surpasses Benny on the depth chart, he’s still sitting behind the likes of John Jenkins, Broderick Washington, and Aeneas Peebles. The climb to make the team is as high as ever.
The Ravens were lucky to bring Okoye back on the practice squad last time around, and 2026 could have the same outcome in store for the 24-year-old. That’s probably what the organization is hoping for at least.
David Sharpe
This team went through a revolving door of veteran offensive tackles over the past month. They signed Hakeem Adeniji. He retired. They signed Kendall Lamm. He retired. Now, they’ve landed on David Sharpe.
Sharpe has seen limited action since being signed, though. He was given just eight snaps in Baltimore’s preseason win over the Minnesota Vikings. In comparison, guys like Gerad Lichtenhan, Carson Vinson, and even Diego Pounds are seeing significant opportunities.
The tough reality for Sharpe is that he was the third face the Ravens turned to when they sought out offensive tackle depth. That won't help his 53-man roster chances.
Luckily, Sharpe has reached vested veteran status. If cut, he’ll become an unrestricted free agent, rather than having to pass through waivers. That could open the door for a handshake agreement to return on Baltimore’s practice squad after cuts are made.
Robert Longerbeam
This would be the toughest cut to make on this list. The fact is, Robert Longerbeam is losing the numbers game at cornerback. There’s so much talent and so much potential, and it’ll be extremely difficult for Longerbeam to sneak onto the roster.
While Longerbeam was a sixth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, late-round selections don’t hold much weight. Add in the fact that he was drafted before Jesse Minter arrived, and he doesn’t exactly have the benefit of the doubt.
The biggest issue is Longerbeam’s frame. He’s a 5-foot-11, 174-pound corner who might be a slot-only kind of player. The competition in the slot might be the strongest of any spot on this team.
You have Marlon Humphrey as the starter; Chandler Rivers was drafted in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft and has been a standout; and second-year pro Keyon Martin is blowing coaches away on both defense and special teams. Simply put, there’s not much room for Longerbeam, if any.
Could Longerbeam make it back on the practice squad? It’s probably a 50/50 shot. It might be a similar-ish situation to Jalyn Armour-Davis last season, who was claimed off waivers by the Tennessee Titans.
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