There are less than two weeks left before the Baltimore Ravens and the rest of the NFL must trim their rosters down to 53 players. Many talented players will have to find new homes, and for a team with a stacked roster like Baltimore, tough decisions will be made.
Through two weeks of the preseason, many rookies and fringe roster players have made play after play, becoming fan favorites among their respective fan bases. Still, there will not be room for all of them. With that in mind, here is an updated roster projection ahead of Baltimore’s Week 3 preseason finale against the Washington Commanders.
Ravens cut fan favorites and recent draft pick in latest 53-man roster prediction
Quarterback (2): Lamar Jackson, Cooper Rush
There is no debate about the Ravens' quarterback situation going into 2025. Second-year pro Devin Leary disappointed once again in preseason action, leaving Cooper Rush as the only plausible candidate to back up two-time MVP Lamar Jackson.
Running Back (5): Derrick Henry, Justice Hill, Keaton Mitchell, Rasheen Ali, Patrick Ricard
These five are guaranteed roster spots by the time the regular season rolls around. Previously, many thought Rasheen Ali would be left off the roster this year, but Head Coach John Harbaugh told the media that Baltimore would keep four running backs, opening a spot for Ali.
The rushing unit is already stacked with Derrick Henry leading the way and Justice Hill coming in for passing downs. Now, Keaton Mitchell returns to full health, and Ali seems to have hit a new gear in the preseason. Patrick Ricard will also continue to be one of the best fullbacks in football.
Wide Receiver (6): Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, DeAndre Hopkins, Tylan Wallace, Devontez Walker, LaJohntay Wester
This projection has remained the same for the entire offseason. The most notable players here making strides for more snaps are Devontez Walker and LaJohntay Wester. Walker had a great showing in Week 2 against the Dallas Cowboys, breaking out in game action. Wester has also been getting a chance to prove himself as a wideout, but it has been as a returner where he has made his mark.
Wester returned a punt for a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 1 on his second-ever NFL return. As a result, he will take the role from Tylan Wallace in 2025, offering a different layer of explosiveness that Baltimore has lacked since two-time Pro Bowler Devin Duvernay departed.
Offensive Line (9): Ronnie Stanley, Andrew Vorhees, Tyler Linderbaum, Daniel Faalele, Roger Rosengarten, Joe Noteboom, Ben Cleveland, Corey Bullock, Carson Vinson
The offensive line is another position that is starting to take shape. Harbaugh revealed the starting unit would be the same as last year’s, with the addition of Andrew Vorhees at left guard. He also highlighted how it would be tough to keep 10 players here, making it increasingly likely that nine will stick around.
The final spot is likely to come down to Corey Bullock and Nick Samac. While Samac is heading into his second season and has NFL experience, Bullock has been the far more impressive of the two. Bullock gets the edge here.
Defensive Line (6): Justin Madubuike, Travis Jones, Broderick Washington Jr., Aeneas Peebles, John Jenkins, Brent Urban
The Ravens could overload on defensive linemen. Last year, they kept five; this year, there is enough talent for six. The starting unit is set in stone, and rookie Aeneas Peebles is getting way too much hype to be cut in a couple of weeks.
Two veterans who were signed late in the offseason–John Jenkins and Brent Urban–make the roster. Jenkins looks to take Michael Pierce’s spot at nose tackle, and Urban is back in Baltimore for another year. It is possible C.J. Okoye sneaks on as the nose tackle, but the Ravens will likely opt for proven veterans over the developmental option.
EDGE (5): Kyle Van Noy, Odafe Oweh, Mike Green, Tavius Robinson, David Ojabo
This unit remains largely unchanged in 2025. However, explosive rookie Mike Green joins the group and has already proven to be too much for opposing offensive lines in the preseason. The unit racked up 54 sacks in 2024 (second in the NFL), and with Green on the front, they should be in for an even better season.
The biggest news is David Ojabo’s newfound path to a roster spot. Adisa Isaac was expected to land the final spot at edge rusher, but after dislocating his elbow versus the Cowboys, he will be out until at least midseason. That will see him land on injured reserve, giving Ojabo new life.
Linebacker (4): Roquan Smith, Trenton Simpson, Teddye Buchanan, Jay Higgins
The Ravens are still searching for their second starting linebacker next to Roquan Smith. As things stand, it appears Trenton Simpson will fill that role again in Week 1. Rookie Teddye Buchanan should challenge him rather early, as he has outperformed in the preseason, but that chance will have to wait.
The bottom line is, Baltimore must find a way to keep Jay Higgins around. He has been a star playmaker and one of the best rookies in the entire NFL. To get him onto the roster, the team may have to cut special teams ace Jake Hummel.
Cornerback (6): Marlon Humphrey, Nate Wiggins, Jaire Alexander, Chidobe Awuzie, T.J. Tampa, Jalyn Armour-Davis
The cornerback group has been dealing with countless injuries, but most of the contributors should be ready for the season opener. The final two names making the rotation—T.J. Tampa and Jalyn Armour-Davis—should get reps at safety, giving defensive coordinator Zach Orr more scheme and positional versatility.
Safety (4): Kyle Hamilton, Malaki Starks, Sanoussi Kane, Reuben Lowery
Fan favorite and Maryland native Beau Brade is on the chopping block heading into the final week and a half. He is battling fellow second-year safety Sanoussi Kane and undrafted rookie Reuben Lowery for a spot on the active roster.
Lowery has been the team’s most dynamic defensive playmaker this offseason, hauling in several interceptions, including one against the Cowboys. As for Kane, he has been getting the starting reps on defense this preseason and is active in the run game and on special teams. It will likely come down to Kane and Brade, and it may as well be a coin flip.
Special Teams (3): Tyler Loop, Jordan Stout, Nick Moore
Nick Moore and Jordan Stout are back for another year, and Tyler Loop was officially named the starting kicker after an incredible performance against the Cowboys.