The Baltimore Ravens released their first unofficial depth chart. While this depth chart is subject to change, and the preseason will impact things significantly, it is an excellent starting point to see where players currently stand and what it could possibly mean. There are plenty of takeaways, considering all of the jobs are up in the air right now. What are some of the keynotes from the first depth chart?
6. Laquon Treadwell is gaining an edge in the Baltimore Ravens wide receiver competition
The Baltimore Ravens sixth wide receiver competition was always going to be something to follow. So, it is significant to note that Laquon Treadwell has the leg up as of now. This makes sense if you have been following practice reports. They all have said that Treadwell looks good and has earned chances with Lamar Jackson.
This is bad news for James Proche and Tylan Wallace, who both fell to fourth string. Proche is a backup at punt return, but he is ahead of Zay Flowers, who can catch him, and he is third in kick returns. This is the end of Proche with the Ravens, and Wallace needs to fight for his job.
Another small note is seeing that Devin Duvernay or Nelson Agholor are the fourth wideout behind the main three at the top. Depending on the need, role, and how these players perform over the coming weeks will decide who gets the nod.
5. Jalyn Armour-Davis is the first man up on the outside, and the Baltimore Ravens have extra options at safety
The Baltimore Ravens listed Marlon Humphrey and Rock Ya-Sin as the starters at cornerback, which is no shock. They also listed Pepe Williams as the third cornerback and the top slot option, ahead of Arthur Maulet. What is interesting to note is that Jalyn Armour-Davis is the first backup on the outside.
That would lock him into the top five and a roster spot. This is notable but for different reasons. Both Daryl Worley and Ar'Darius Washington are listed as safeties.
We thought that Trayvon Mullen, Kyu Blu Kelly, and Worley would be pushing Armour-Davis for that spot. Mullen is hurt, Worley is at safety, and Kelly is a rookie, so he is way down on the depth chart. Is Armour-Davis stepping up, or are the other names falling around him?
On the flip side, does Worley being able to play safety and outside cornerback actually give him a leg up? The same can be said for Washington, who is competing with Maulet for the backup slot job. It does not sound good that Washington is not the backup slot until you see that he is listed as a safety who can slide into the slot.
As of now, Armour-Davis is likely to make the roster as the fifth cornerback, and then one of Worley and Washington is going to make it as the fifth safety. Washington would need to beat Maulet for an easier path, and that does not appear to be on the table.
4. How are Baltimore Ravens handling injuries to big names?
The Baltimore Ravens have two names who are on the PUP with significant injuries. Rashod Bateman is recovering from Lisfranc surgery, and J.K. Dobbins is out with, well, we are not sure exactly. Either way, it is interesting to know where they both stand.
It does appear that the nature of the injury has impacted the standing of each. Bateman is legitimately on the right path to recovery, and the Ravens held his spot. It may be because Zay Flowers is also a rookie, but Bateman is right next to Odell Beckham as the top two. On the flip side, the Ravens have been unsure what the deal is with Dobbins, and right now, he is behind Gus Edwards on the depth chart.
There could be more merit to this because even when Dobbins is healthy, the thought was that these two would share the backfield in some manner. Still, it is interesting to see that Bateman was not impacted in his depth chart standing, but Dobbins was. Are they hoping to see Dobbins get motivated, while they know that Bateman is working hard to get back?
3. Del'Shawn Phillips has a leg up on the Baltimore Ravens depth chart
A big note on the depth chart is seeing Del'Shawn Phillips ahead of Trenton Simpson on the linebacker depth chart. Phillips is a backup next to Malik Harrison. As we noted, a lot of this is just the Ravens slow-playing the rookies until they see the field.
It will not take long for Simpson to pass him, and that is not the concern. The note is that Phillips is ahead of both Josh Ross and Kristian Welch. These three are in a legitimate battle for the fifth linebacker spot.
The fifth spot is not a lock for the roster, but with all three providing on special teams, it has to be a likely outcome. The sixth spot is probably not going to make the roster, so that is huge. As we said, right now, Phillips is four, and Simpson is five, but even if they split, this is a nice spot for Phillips.
Reports are that Phillips had a good camp. Ross is coming back from injury, and Welch has been more quiet than both. So, it makes sense that three are listed in that order. It can change quickly after game action, but after practice, this is how the Ravens rank them.
2. Can Jeremiah Moon make the Baltimore Ravens roster?
Another small note involving a rookie is Tavius Robinson. He is technically with the third team, but he should make the roster without issue. There is some merit to his standing because the Ravens run their unique defense.
While they have two edge rushers, one is more of a rush player, and the other is closer to a SAM player. So, the rushers are Odafe Oweh, David Ojabo, and Tavius Robinson. Technically, it is true that Robinson will probably not back up Tyus Bowser in his role as the same, and rather he will be a rush player behind both Oweh and Ojabo.
So, it brings the question of who is the backup SAM and whether they can make the roster. As of now, it is Jeremiah Moon. Moon was with the Ravens last preseason as a UDFA, stuck around all year, and now may be groomed for the specific role. Behind him is UDFA rookie Malik Hamm.
So, the job is pretty open for the taking. The Ravens could easily keep a fifth edge rusher with Tavius Robinson and Moon mainly as depth behind the top three. Keep an eye on signings this month, as well as the play of Moon this preseason.
1. John Simpson is the Baltimore Ravens starter at left guard, and Michael Pierce is starting at nose tackle.
The Baltimore Ravens had to name a starter at these positions. Of course, they could have gone with the classic "or" comment at left guard. However, they did not; they went with John Simpson to start at left guard and Michael Pierce to start at nose tackle.
For Simpson, it is a small surprise because Sala Amuavae-Laulu has been dominating the first teamwork. However, John Harbaugh said that was the plan, and Simpson would get all the work this week. It may have Simpson in the better spot
He saw what SAL did and what he had to do to beat it. He also is starting the week leading into the preseason game, which is why he was named the starter. Simpson has a real chance to lock down this job.
It does not matter much for Pierce and Travis Jones because they will split snaps. However, they could have gone either way between Pierce returning from injury and Jones being in year two. Pierce gets the nod for now.