The offseason program is just that, an offseason program. It may have small impacts on the roster moving forward, but it is not even the start of the season. Still, as the Baltimore Ravens closed out their OTA and minicamp sessions, there are some takeaways from the team.
While the movement may be minimal and only sets the stage for what is to come in training camp, it is good to see where certain players stand. Who are some players who may be standing a bit higher after the last couple of weeks?
5. Sala Amuave-Laulu is getting a chance to start for the Baltimore Ravens
When we went into the offseason program, we thought Ben Cleveland was the most likely player to start at left guard. His only real competition was John Simpson, or so we thought. While Daniel Faalele and Sala Amuave-Laulu played right tackle in college, and they are both working there, both of them also have been mixing in some work at guard.
First, Faalele was getting work, but towards the end of minicamp, Sala Amuave-Laulu was leading the way in snaps out of anyone. To make it even more interesting Cleveland was playing right tackle, showing how little of a grip he has on the job.
Sala Amuave-Laulu is a sixth-round pick in his rookie season. He is kicking inside, which some may say is easier, but he is also moving from the right side to the left side. The shift is impressive, and the thought that he has a real chance to start shows how much the Ravens have liked what they see from him.
When training camp starts, you should see Cleveland get the first repetition, but there is no doubt this is a real competition, and the rookie being involved is big for his long-term promise.
4. Nelson Agholor is taking advantage of extra snaps
The Baltimore Ravens had to take it easy on Rashod Bateman as he had the screws removed from his foot this week. His foot will be swollen for a few days, but the missed time signals Bateman taking a significant step toward getting back on the field.
So, this development may not carry into training camp, let alone the regular season. Still, Nelson Agholor has been everything advertised and more for the Baltimore Ravens. He has stepped into the Bateman role, which allowed Zay Flowers and Odell Beckham to stay in their spots and not disrupt anything.
Still, Lamar Jackson said Bateman is the number one, and it showed when Agholor was getting so many targets all week. If you project this work for Bateman, he is the winner, but the fact that Agholor was hauling in all of the big passes has to give the Ravens coaching staff confidence.
Bateman is injured often, Beckham is coming off a serious injury, and Flowers is a rookie. The great part of Agholor is that he can fill in for any of those players and make an impact. Fans appreciated what DeMarcus Robinson did for the unit last year, but Agholor is an upgrade, and he is now the number four. That is a nice spot to be in.
3. The Baltimore Ravens are ready for David Ojabo to breakout
The Baltimore Ravens let Jason Pierre-Paul and Justin Houston walk in free agency. Neither has signed yet, and that may speak to why the Ravens moved on. Also, Tyus Bowser is healthier. Still, the big difference is clearly David Ojabo.
David Ojabo missed almost all of his rookie season after he tore his Achilles in the pre-draft process. Now, he is back and healthy and ready to break out in year two. The Ravens and a lot of evaluators saw him as a first-round pick, but the injury pushed him down.
By all accounts, he is fully healthy, and he was not limited in any capacity this offseason. Beyond that, he was flying around the field. He made life tough on whoever was at right tackle, and he made Ben Cleveland look lost in his limited work on that side.
The Baltimore Ravens have to love what they see from Ojabo. The thought is that his presence will make life easier for Odafe Oweh as well. It is small, but just seeing him healthy and not miss any time is a win. The practice reports are the icing on the cake for a positive off-season.
2. Rock Ya-Sin is expected to start for the Baltimore Ravens
When the Baltimore Ravens let Marcus Peters walk in free agency, the thought was that there would be a competition at cornerback. The team has Rock Ya-Sin, Trayvon Mullen, Kyu Bly Kelly, and Jayln Armour-Davis just to name a few outside options.
Considering Ya-Sin was actually the last of the players to be added to the roster the thought was that he may have to compete for his job. However, everything we have seen so far points to the contrary. Rock Ya-Sin is going to start for the Baltimore Ravens on the outside, barring anything crazy happening. The question is more about the slot and the number four guy.
This may not be too surprising when you break it all down. Yes, Ya-Sin was the last signed, but he probably waited until after the draft to find his best chance to start. He did not want to sign and then find out the team he signed with drafted a cornerback high. When the Ravens took Zay Flowers, Rock Ya-Sin was in.
Still, the fact that there is not even a sign of competition despite the Ravens having so many depth options is a win for the veteran cornerback. We will see if anyone gets more time to mix in when training camp comes.
1. Roquan Smith is the leader of the Baltimore Ravens defense
Roquan Smith has been the big winner of everything related to the Baltimore Ravens since he has been traded. He helped turn the defense around, he helped make Patrick Queen play better, and now he should be helping everyone in the same way.
When Chuck Clark left, the Baltimore Ravens lost their play caller and their green dot. Kyle Hamilton was moving into the role, but he is a second-year player, and safeties very rarely call plays. That was just a testament to how good Clark was and how questionable the play-calling options were at middle linebacker.
Roquan Smith called the defense for the Chicago Bears, and now that Clark is gone, this is his role with the Baltimore Ravens as well. It was expected but became official during these offseason programs. Smith has likely been working all offseason as if that is the plan, and he should be able to come into training camp with no hiccups as he mans the defense.
It was an expected to step forward, but the Baltimore Ravens are taking that step by putting more on the plate of Roquan Smith.