As the Baltimore Ravens preseason wrapped up, it was the last chance for the borderline roster players to make a name for themselves and stick on the roster. However, while some players win jobs in the preseason, others can lose them. Who are players on the Ravens roster that may struggle to make the roster?
3. The Baltimore Ravens have to release Kyu Blu Kelly
The Baltimore Ravens fifth-round rookie is not a lock to make the roster. In fact, it is easier to argue for him to get cut than it is for him to make the roster. Kyu Blu Kelly has struggled immensely in the preseason. He had been buried down the depth chart, but both Brandon Stephens and Kevon Seymour were given the night off so that Kelly could start across from Jalyn Armour-Davis.
Armour-Davis was the better of the two and is more likely to make the roster. He needs to join the list because a lot of players are in that spot compared to Kyu Blu Kelly. Kelly was buried for good reason; he has struggled every time he stepped on the field.
The Ravens subbed out Kelly in the second quarter after he had a rough series. They let Tae Hayes finish out the half. Then, after Armour-Davis showed well and was done for the day, the team let Kelly get back in the game. Nothing about the way that they treat Kelly says that he should make the roster.
Nothing about his tape says that he is going to get claimed by anyone before settling back on the Ravens practice squad. He is a fifth-round pick, so it is not the end of the world for a miss, but it is getting harder to see the young rookie make the team.
2. Melvin Gordon will not make the Baltimore Ravens roster
When the Baltimore Ravens signed Melvin Gordon, there was plenty of reaction about what that may mean for the roster moving forward. There were thoughts that he could be the person who steps in for J.K. Dobbins if his injury or contract status lingered. However, now it is pretty clear that he will get cut, and he may end up back on the practice squad.
First, Dobbins is back. That does not help. It also hurt that Justice Hill had the best preseason of his career. Todd Monken seems to value his explosive ability more than Greg Roman, so it is easier to see Hill in the mix. Still, even Keaton Mitchell is clearly ahead of Melvin Gordon.
Mitchell can provide on special teams if needed. More than that, if Mitchell were cut, he would possibly get claimed on waivers. On the flip side, if Gordon were cut, the odds are that he could circle back to the Ravens practice squad, and his veteran status means he does not need to clear waivers. So, Gordon is the fifth running, and the team will keep a fullback. So, he is essentially the sixth. That is a lock to get cut, not make the roster.
1. Travis Vokolek is a prime practice squad candidate
After a two-touchdown performance, there were some discussions about Travis Vokolek making the 53-man roster. However, the rookie UDFA from Nebraska is a UDFA for a reason, and his best case is spending his rookie year on the practice squad and coming back for year two with a chance to make the team.
Vokolek made noise mainly when he caught two touchdowns. However, he followed that up with one catch for five yards. If anything, that lack of explosion of highlight-worthy plays will calm down the noise around him and make it a lock to stick him on the practice squad.
Still, he was already a lock for the practice squad. He caught two touchdowns, which the fans will like, but he is not a strong blocker, and he does not help on special teams. The Ravens will value someone like Patrick Ricard as a tight end over Vokoleek because Kolar, Mark Andrews, and Isaiah Likely are all better pass catchers than blockers. They need someone to block, and Vokolek is not that either.
A rookie UDFA who struggles to block and does not play special teams is not going to get claimed by any other team and also will not make the Baltimore Ravens, either. He showed enough upside to get fans excited and make the practice squad, though.