With NFL roster cuts looming, the Baltimore Ravens are preparing to gut their roster down to 53 players. With so much talent on their team, many young players who will be cut could be scooped up by other teams before the Ravens have the chance to sign them back on the practice squad.
Not only did the Ravens draft a superb rookie class in the 2025 NFL Draft, but they also signed a loaded undrafted free agent class. Rookies like Reuben Lowery and Keyon Martin seemingly secured roster spots after an impressive preseason, but that is less likely to be the case for former Iowa linebacker Jay Higgins.
Higgins was one of the best players in the NFL this preseason. He finished the three-game slate with a 90.9 grade per Pro Football Focus (PFF), making countless plays everywhere on the field. He was a fierce pass rusher, strong in coverage, and used his instincts to sniff out run plays. However, he is not favored to make the active roster.
Newcomer Jake Hummel is the main player standing in Higgins’ way. He was signed over the offseason to replace Chris Board as the team’s special teams ace. In a league where special teams is becoming increasingly more valuable, teams need a player like him. Following Monday’s practice, Head Coach John Harbaugh gave Hummel his vote of confidence.
“Hummel’s gonna make the team,” Harbaugh said. “He’s gonna be a big part of what we’re doing.”
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This does not necessarily mean Higgins is not making the team. Baltimore could keep an extra linebacker on the roster, sacrificing depth at another position, but this significantly reduces the likelihood he remains a Raven after Tuesday.
Sure, Higgins proved he can play special teams in the preseason. He registered an 80.0 PFF grade in that area and showed improvement each week. However, Hummel was one of the best specialists last season, registering an 85.6 PFF grade on special teams. He gets the edge for doing so against starting-level competition, too.
That factor will play a heavy role in roster decisions, and Harbaugh highlighted the importance of that department on Monday, as well.
“Special teams will weigh in,” Harbaugh said. “The roles are very important and you gotta play at a high level, especially with the new kickoff return rule.”
With that, it sounds like Baltimore’s linebacker depth chart is set. Higgins deserves a spot, but his most realistic shot was playing special teams at an elite level throughout training camp and preseason. Unfortunately, it does not sound like he has done enough to unseat Hummel.