The preseason will be a great chance to watch the depth players on the Baltimore Ravens as they fight to earn a roster spot or a higher spot on the depth chart. When it comes to the Ravens' secondary, there is plenty to be discussed. What do fans want to see from this group in the first preseason game?
3. What is the Baltimore Ravens slot rotation?
The Baltimore Ravens have hardly revealed anything when it comes to who will play in the slot for them. First, they have a plethora of slot options such as Pepe Williams, and Arthur Maulet, They also have Ar'Darius Washington who plays the slot. Then, they have Brandon Stephens, who reportedly has been getting work, and we all know that Kyle Hamilton can play the slot as well.
However, with Hamilton, we need to remember that the team needs him at strong safety more because Chuck Clark is gone. Or, does Stephens moving to safety help Hamilton get back into the box? There are so many questions.
It also hurts to see that Williams and Maulet may not even play in this game. This week would go a long way into that competition, but we may not get any resolution due to injuries. Or does that open the door wide for Ar'Darius Washington to win himself a roster spot?
Beyond that, if Stephens and Hamilton play safety, and Washington starts in the slot because Maulet and Williams are banged up, who finishes out the game in the slot? Do we see Kevon Seymour in there, or someone like Jordan Swann, a rookie UDFA?
If Williams and Maulet do not play, there will be a lot of slot snaps up for grabs. If they do play, the competition will be intense.
2. Who is playing safety, who is playing cornerback?
This goes on with what we were saying in the last post. Kyle Hamilton is not the only player who will be shifting between the slot and safety this year. Brandon Stephens was a safety as a rookie, played outside last season, and now is back to safety. Or is he back to slot? Where will Brandon Stephens play, and do we see him play all three?
Beyond those two is Ar'Darius Washington. Every report is that he is still getting work in the slot, but he is listed as safety in the depth chart. So, do they want Stephens, Hamilton, and Washington, three different-sized safeties to all have the ability to move into the slot? Or do we strictly see Washington in the slot due to the lack of depth?
The same question can be asked of Daryl Worley. We thought he would be pushing Jalyn Armour-Davis and Kyu Blu Kell for the backup outside job. With Rock Ya-Sin banged up, there are starting outside snaps up for grabs, and they appear to be going to Armour-Davis.
That is because Worley is playing safety and less in the mix on the outside. Or is that just a few reports based on what they were seeing? Does Worley get serious work on the outside in the preseason due to the injuries around him?
The Baltimore Ravens have four secondary members; all of them have a shot at making the roster and playing on Sundays, and none of them have a defined position. Let's see what Mike MacDonald has cooked up.
1. Two former draft picks, Two UDFAas have a chance to make the Baltimore Ravens roster
As we noted, Daryl Worley has not been in contention for the outside spot. With Rock Ya-Sin injured and Marlon Humphrey at such a veteran status it is easy to think that the Ravens will start their two former draft picks at cornerback. That is Kyu Blu Kelly and Jalyn Armour-Davis.
Both are young and have draft commitment, but neither is a lock for the roster. Both have been up and down in training camp, and Armour-Davis was down almost the entire time during his rookie season. So, this is a huge oppurtunity for both to make noise. With Ya-Sin battling injury, a strong start tonight could get either of them onto the field when the regular season starts.
Kelly and Armour-Davis will be getting a lot of early looks, but there are two other names worthy of keeping the game on late. Jordan Swann, and Corey Mayfield Jr. have both heard their name called for strong days this training camp. Both are rookie UDFAs, so it is nice to get the attention, but they have a long way to go. It will start this weekend.
This duo should see the field a ton late in the first preseason game. How they handle that responsibility could leak into the second preseason game.