Nine drafted players, six injuries, two potential starters — this is the Ravens’ 2024 rookie class.
After getting knocked out of the AFC championship game by the Kansas City Chiefs, the Ravens had to rebuild and restructure following franchise tags and free agency, and they did much of that through the draft.
A few made an impact quickly, but many have suffered injuries in addition to growing pains. With training camp over and roster cuts coming Tuesday, here’s where each member of the draft class stands.
Round 1, pick 30: CB Nate Wiggins, Clemson
Wiggins’ biggest downside, his slight frame, was evident from the day he stepped onto the field with his new teammates. But his greatest strength, his speed, was also on display. Simply running the field Wiggins displayed a swiftness unlike the others. He worked his way up from reps with mostly rookies to reps with the threes and then the twos, until he finally earned some looks with the ones. Some of them came when veteran defensive backs went down, but eventually he was worked into different looks with the starters based on his own merit.
When Wiggins played his first preseason game, he met the challenge. Although there were a few rookie mistakes, he recorded three pass breakups in the first series and made a big, physical tackle in the open field. However, his performance was cut short when he left with a shoulder injury. He then missed six days of practice. Although it slowed his progress, it hasn’t threatened his opportunity to have a significant role this season.
Wiggins still must face NFL starters in a real game. It’s to be determined how he will respond to that and if his speed can make up for a lack of size. But should he continue his upward trajectory, Wiggins has a chance to rotate in when starting cornerback Marlon Humphrey slides inside. As he improves, he can establish himself as the first man up in cases of injury. And, with starter Brandon Stephens nearing the end of his contract, Wiggins has the chance to establish himself as an integral part of the team’s future.
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Wiggins finished the preseason with three tackles, one for loss, and three pass defenses in the two games he played. Although all those stats were recorded in the first game he played, he graded out well (83.6) in the second game. He played 15 coverage snaps and was targeted twice, not allowing a catch either time. He finished the preseason with the highest Pro Football Focus grade (81.4) on the team.
Round 2, pick 62: T Roger Rosengarten, Washington
Similar to Wiggins (but on a very different scale), Rosengarten is quick for his position but not particularly powerful. He, too, worked his way up to rotating in with the ones. While he was splitting reps with Patrick Mekari at right tackle, over the last few weeks, he has been given the majority of them.
However, Rosengarten might be named a starter because of circumstance rather than readiness. The Ravens have three spots to fill on the offensive line, and they only have so many options. Mekari, with his versatility, may be needed elsewhere along the line, requiring Rosengarten to carry a heavier load. The two may also rotate, something coach John Harbaugh said isn’t out of the question.
Rosengarten has flashed at times and struggled at others, as when he was going against the Packers’ starters at joint practice. However, he has the benefit of practicing against defensive lineman Justin Madubuike and outside linebacker Odafe Oweh. He has improved from being bowled over by them to winning some of the battles. Overall, he had a 63.6 PFF grade, with high marks for pass blocking (75) and much lower marks for run blocking (52.9).
As a rookie, especially one on the offensive line, Rosengarten is expected to need time and experience to improve. This will be a learning season for him. But he seems to have a good handle on the competition for starting right tackle, and the Ravens will need him to learn quickly as they go through the gauntlet of the start of their season. Because of that, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Mekari take on a heavier load at the beginning of the season before yielding reps to Rosengarten and sliding in where he is needed.
Round 3, pick 93, EDGE Adisa Isaac, Penn State
When Isaac finally stepped onto the field, he came on quickly. Within a few practices, he was causing havoc in the backfield. He earned second-team reps. And, when he played his first preseason game, the win over the Atlanta Falcons, he was disruptive enough to impress Harbaugh.
However, Isaac missed a lot of time due to a hamstring injury. He was behind on both reps and game conditioning, so Harbaugh expected him to be sore after the preseason game. Instead, he announced the next week that Isaac would be missing time due to a new injury.
Isaac has flashed potential, but he needs to be on the field to realize that potential. There’s time for him to find his way. Madubuike blew up in year four, and Oweh is looking for a similar breakout as he goes into his fourth season. But the Ravens, who are looking for another Super Bowl run, could use Isaac’s help this year as they try to make up for the loss of Jadeveon Clowney. Isaac is probably itching to be out there, and the Ravens are right to make sure he’s fully healthy. But he’s going to be starting from behind.
Round 4, pick 113: WR Devontez Walker, UNC
Walker had some good plays early in camp before he faded, barely making an impression over the last few weeks. Harbaugh said Walker was dealing with a rib injury, and shortly after, Walker missed some practice. Even when he was there, he wasn’t getting the same opportunities that other young receivers were being given.
All three starters, Rashod Bateman, Nelson Agholor and Zay Flowers, have missed practice at some point this offseason, giving younger players the chance for more reps. Tylan Wallace has been the biggest recipient — and the one to seize the opportunity the most. A number of other receivers, from Malik Cunningham to recent pickup Anthony Miller, have rotated in with Lamar Jackson. Walker has toiled mostly with the third offense, and he did not grade well on PFF for much other than his pass blocking.
It’s unclear how much this injury is a factor. But Walker had two targets and no catches in the first preseason game, no targets in the second and two targets for one catch in the third. He’s also played a minimal role on special teams. It’s not likely he will earn a significant role ahead of Week 1. He can at least be a depth piece, but he’ll have a lot of work to do if he wants to make an impact this season.
Round 4, pick 130: CB T.J. Tampa, Iowa State
Tampa had a few more weeks of practice than Isaac, but after minicamp Harbaugh announced Tampa would be out after sports hernia surgery. He returned six days after Isaac. Like the third-round pick, he’s behind because of a lack of practice.
Tampa did not play in a preseason game. He’s working his way back. With the number of cornerbacks vying for spots, he will be in a fierce competition for any playing time.
Round 5, pick 165: RB Rasheen Ali, Marshall
Ali has performed fine, but he has been far from the most impressive running back at camp. Behind Derrick Henry and Justice Hill, the Ravens had three running backs competing for the third spot. They recently added a fourth. Ali, Chris Collier and Owen Wright all pulled off good runs (assuming they wouldn’t have been tackled in a real game rather than the “tackling” that happens in camp). But it’s been Wright who’s raised eyebrows.
Ali was then hampered further by an injury. He missed practice ahead of the game against the Falcons and hasn’t played since that first preseason game. Even in that first one, against the Eagles, Ali was not the first to go out. Wright was being given those opportunities. Wright looked like he had the job in the bag until he broke his foot against the Packers. Now, that job is open again, but Ali needs to prove he should get that spot. Otherwise, the Ravens might have to look elsewhere.
Ali had 10 rushes for 26 yards in the one game he played. He finished with the lowest grade of all the running backs to play in preseason (38.7).
Round 6, pick 218: QB Devin Leary, Kentucky
This has not been a dream start for the rookie quarterback. In camp, Leary has shown the strength of his arm but also his tendency to throw interceptions. Although he took care of the ball through the first two games, he didn’t do much positive. He went 6-for-10 for 37 yards in the first preseason game. His opportunity was limited in the second when he went 3-for-5 for 24 yards. In the final game, Leary showed what he had in camp: his powerful throw and difficulty analyzing risk. He went 6-for-13 for 34 yards and two interceptions.
Leary was not happy with his performance, nor should he have been, but he has the advantage of time. Whereas some of his fellow rookies are in positions where the Ravens could use them immediately, Leary came in with the expectation that he would have a year to grow. Harbaugh named Josh Johnson the backup quarterback before Leary was drafted.
Based on Leary’s preseason performance, it is unlikely a team would claim him off waivers if the Ravens sent him to their practice squad. Also, under a new NFL rule, the Ravens can elevate Leary every week as one of their two standard elevations and name him the emergency third quarterback. He would not have to clear waivers after three elevations as other players do and could spend the season on the practice squad while serving as the emergency option.
Round 7, pick 228: C Nick Samac, Michigan State
Injuries delayed Samac’s start, keeping him far down the depth chart for the first few weeks. But after Ben Cleveland’s rough performance at center against the Falcons, Samac started receiving opportunities with the first team in Tyler Linderbaum’s absence. He started against the Packers. Although the Ravens struggled to find push up the middle for the most part, Samac had a few impressive blocks to open gaps for his running backs. He also had a clean game snapping the ball, an improvement from the Ravens’ performance the week before. According to PFF, he finished with a 75.6 pass-blocking grade, a 76.9 run-blocking grade and zero pressures allowed.
But his rise was cut short by an injury in the first half of the game. Samac, who Harbaugh recently revealed had been dealing with an ankle injury, was carted off the field. Harbaugh did not have an update on him after the game, although he seemed to be walking OK. Although the starters seem set, for the most part, based on the consistency of the people taking first-team reps, that doesn’t mean they will stay the same as the season goes on. They’ve struggled as a unit through preseason. If Samac stays healthy and continues to progress, he could earn a spot on the roster.
Round 7, pick 250: S Sanoussi Kane, Purdue
Kane has played hard all camp and has made some big plays, but it is to be determined if that will be enough to keep him on the roster. Kane had seven tackles across two games. Fellow safety and undrafted rookie Beau Brade has also had a strong camp and made 18 tackles, including two for loss, across three games. He has paired it with special teams work.
The Ravens need depth based on how Pro Bowl safety Kyle Hamilton has been in and out with injuries. But Ar’Darius Washington seems to be the guy behind Hamilton and Marcus Williams. Veterans Eddie Jackson and Daryl Worley signed with the team late. Kane might not have enough to edge out those veteran guys or a special teams contributor like Brade.
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