With mandatory minicamp finally here, the Baltimore Ravens can move past the more relaxed, casual atmosphere of OTAs and start putting their nose to the grindstone. This is the time when position battles all over the roster will sort themselves out.
While Baltimore is lucky enough to have many of their key starters set in stone, the Ravens will also need to make decisions on the back half of the roster that will have major ramifications throughout the season. When it comes time to face teams like Kansas City, Cincinnati, and Buffalo in the first five weeks, the Ravens need to have their ducks in a row.
These three minicamp competitions will be ignited in the next few days and continue well into the summer months. If Ravens fans want something to keep an eye on during the coming weeks, these battles could be the source of the internal competition John Harbaugh wants to see.
3 position battles Baltimore Ravens fans need to keep an eye on at minicamp
3. Final WR spots
The Ravens have four wide receivers who appear to be locked in place, as Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman are the 1-2 punch at the tip of the spear with Nelson Agholor and rookie Devontez Walker fighting for the WR3 job. Beyond that, the Ravens are taking all comers in their quest for more depth.
Fullback Pat Ricard has announced that undrafted standout Dayton Wade has been one of the more impressive new players he has seen this offseason. Wade and Qadir Ismail, son of former Ravens receiver Qadry Ismail, will have to compete against veterans primarily known for special teams plays.
The Baltimore Ravens have multiple promising young WRs at minicamp
Former fourth-round pick Tylan Wallace is still hanging around, and his seniority might give him a leg up. While Deonte Harty was signed due to his exceptional return ability, but he has been around long enough to grind out some snaps on the back of his strong route-running and veteran moxie.
Baltimore has struggled to surround Lamar Jackson with the appropriate depth at wide receiver, but this year's group may be the best in totality that Jackson has had during his Ravens career. With injuries inevitable, it seems likely one of these players will be called into service at some point.
2. Third Safety
The Ravens may have the best starting safety combination in the league, as Kyle Hamilton is an emerging defensive superstar and veteran Marcus Williams is as solid as the day is long. However, Baltimore ran a ton of three-safety looks last season, and the loss of Geno Stone is sure to cause shockwaves in the defensive infrastructure.
The early frontrunner in this race seems to be fourth-year defensive back Ar'Darius Washington, who has overcome his physical challenges to become a solid special teamer when his health allows it. Outside of Washington, Baltimore has multiple rookies trying to make a name for themselves.
The Baltimore Ravens will have competition at safety
The Ravens used a seventh-round pick on Purdue's Sanoussi Kane, and he isn't going to give up on his dreams of starting without a fight. Baltimore also landed one of the best undrafted free agents in Maryland's own Beau Brade, who was a better player at the collegiate level than Kane.
If you want a particularly outside-the-box idea, don't be surprised if fourth-round cornerback T.J. Tampa, who fell from his projected Day 2 slot due to speed concerns, gets some reps at safety. No matter what Baltimore does, it appears as though their depth in this area is more than acceptable.
1. Starting guards
The Ravens' offseason has been dominated by discussion over what the offensive line will look like. On top of the fact right tackle Morgan Moses was traded to the Jets, both starting guards from last season in John Simpson and Kevin Zeitler signed with the Jets and Lions, respectively, in free agency.
The projected starters, if the season started today, appear to be much-hyped 2023 draft prospect Andrew Vorhees at left guard and Ravens mainstay Ben Cleveland at right guard. However, neither of these players should consider their starting jobs signed, sealed, and delivered just yet,
The Baltimore Ravens need to find two starting guards.
Veteran swing tackle Josh Jones might get some looks at guard before the season starts, and the ultra-versatile Patrick Mekari will get some consideration. Still percolating around the back end of the roster are recent draftee Malaesala Aumavae–Laulu and 2024 seventh-rounder Nick Samac.
The Ravens are far from finished settling their offensive line, but this decision will have ripple effects. With an MVP quarterback in Jackson and potential Hall of Fame running back in Derrick Henry, getting the offensive line right could make or break their offensive consistency.