The first preseason game is never a moment of finality; it is much more the beginning of things. From here, things can change quickly. However, there are a few players who may have locked things down for the Baltimore Ravens this weekend. Who are some players that are now closer to being locked than they were just last week?
5. Del'Shawn Phillips is a valuable asset for the Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens clearly like what they are seeing from Del'Shawn Phillips. He only made the roster last year because he was weak at linebacker, and they liked what he did on special teams. Now, the depth chart is deeper, but his status remains the same: he is looking to be inside the roster bubble.
Phillips was listed as a backup, ahead of Trenton Simpson on the initial depth chart. That could be because Simpson was injured and also a rookie who has not proven anything. Still, it also meant he was two slots on the depth chart over guys like Josh Ross and Kristian Welch.
This is great for his roster standing. Phillips started on Saturday due to Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen resting. He was the next man up next to Malik Harrison. Phillips played 58 snaps and was one of the highest-graded defenders. Despite being on the roster bubble, both Ross and Welch played just 17 snaps in comparison. Neither of them is on his level of trust with this coaching staff.
More than that, Phillips saw enough work on special teams to show his value as well. It is easy to see him on the roster after a performance like Saturday.
4. The Baltimore Ravens have to love what Laquon Treadwell brings them
Laquon Treadwell has done just about everything you could ask him to do when it comes to making the Baltimore Ravens 53-man roster. He came in firmly on the bubble but has managed to crawl his way up, and now he may have found himself on the roster.
Treadwell has been a major winner in training camp. He has flashed big catches and made plays when they matter. However, more than that, he has started to earn a role on special teams. According to PFF, Treadwell was second on the roster in special teams grade, behind Brandon Stephens, who has made a career in that area.
Treadwell has dominated practice and got to work with the ones when some of the bigger names go down. Better than that, he is now showing that he can be active on gamedays, which is more important than anything he does on offense.
Tylan Wallace had a good game as well, which may prevent him from being a lock, but this weekend was as close as he can get, and he may get over the edge next week.
3. Ar'Darius Washington may have won a starting job for the Baltimore Ravens
Ar'Darius Washington could get cut in a few weeks. He also could start week one; there is a wide variety of outcomes for his play. So far, he is leaning towards not only sticking around but starting,
The Baltimore Ravens need his play in the slot, and they really do not have another option as they stand right now. Kyle Hamilton roamed the slot last year, but he is going to start at strong safety this year. This is going to leave a hole in the slot.
First, the thought was that Pepe Williams would slide into the role. He played there last year, mainly before he was injured, and Hamilton took over. Another injury before the first preseason game may have him out for a while now. Next, they signed Arthur Maulet, who started for the Pittsburgh Steelers last season.
Maulet has been making strides, but he got banged up before the first preseason game as well. That led to the Ravens starting Ar'Darius Washington. Washington played all but three snaps in a chance that he got to prove himself. He played both slot and safety, showing his value.
Of course, he also got work on special teams, which is most important. Still, if Maulet and Willams cannot get healthy, it does not matter, and Washington will start by default. Will that be the case, or will Washington get enough chances to earn the roster spot rather than have it handed to him?
2. Daryl Worley was the best player on the Baltimore Ravens
Daryl Worley knew that he had a lot on the line in the Baltimore Ravens preseason opener. Worley was right on the bubble of the roster and needed every snap to show that he belonged on the 53-man roster.
He did just that, as he was not only the best player on the field, but he also played every single snap. Worley played safety after being a cornerback for the majority of his career.
So, the combination of playing an ew position, and needing every snap to prove his worth led to him getting more snaps than anyone. What seems crazy is that he played special teams on top of that. He has a serious workload.
Worley played as well as you can ask in all phases. He can play multiple positions and can stay active on gamedays because of his special teams value. That should be enough to get him on the roster, but the next two weeks may dictate that.
1. Is Josh Johnson a fit for the Baltimore Ravens?
The Baltimore Ravens very well may move on from Tyler Huntley. When Greg Roman was the offensive coordinator, Huntley was a stylistic fit for the offense. Now that Todd Monken is calling the plays, he may want someone with a bigger arm to be that option. That is why the team signed Josh Johnson.
Johnson is a journeyman who has bounced around the NFL, but he has a bigger arm than Huntley, and he fits the Monken offense more than Huntley. So, is it a huge surprise that Johnson started over Huntley?
Huntley was getting third quarterback treatment, and he even got banged up in the game. When you add in that the Ravens could save a couple of million in cap space by moving on from Huntley, his roster spot is in jeopardy. A move like this will take more than this week, but Josh Johnson set the table for getting himself locked on the roster.