The preseason is all about the players on the edge of the roster being able to grab hold of a spot on the 53-man roster or a starting job. Not many jobs were up for grabs for the Baltimore Ravens, but as always, the preseason has sorted things out. With one week to go, the team should have a strong understanding of who is starting where.
3. Ar'Darius Washington will start in the slot for the Baltimore Ravens
It did not turn into much of a battle, but it did end with a clear winner. Ar'Darius Washington will start for the Baltimore Ravens in the slot, and it is hard to see any other outcome happening at this point. A lot of the reasoning is because no one else is even healthy enough to compete.
Arthur Maulet and Pepe Williams are the two names who were supposed to be competing. Williams has an injury that appears to be serious, and Maulet has missed over two weeks. Maulet is expected to be back soon, but even then, it is hard to see him healthy enough in time to play in the preseason finale but also beat out Washington.
The injuries gave Washington a chance, but he took full advantage. He played nearly a full game in week one and played deep into the second half in week two. He sat for a bit, but injuries had him playing late. Still, he was breaking up passes, blitzing, and making tackles that stopped drives. It was a complete game.
Washington is younger and while he presents an unknown, he also presents the potential for upside. With Maulet, you know what he is. This competition should be over until Washington does something to show he does not deserve to start.