The Ravens are just 13 days away from rookies reporting for training camp at the Under Armour Performance Center, and they’ll be working for a return trip to the AFC title game.
Baltimore has taken steps to inject youth, versatility, and high-impact players into the roster.
All championship franchises are conceived with essential building blocks, and we’ve provided ten for Baltimore.
RB Keaton Mitchell
Dec 17, 2023; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) hands off to running back Keaton Mitchell (34) against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first quarter at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
The undrafted rookie outplayed Melvin Gordon in the preseason and was the most productive running back on the roster by the end of the season.
Mitchell was one of the highest-graded players on offense and finished his rookie year with 47 attempts, 396 yards, and two touchdowns in eight appearances with two starts.
RB Rasheen Ali
Oct 7, 2023; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Marshall Thundering Herd running back Rasheen Ali (22) run the ball as North Carolina State Wolfpack linebacker Jaylon Scott (2) defends during the first half at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
A shifty and sturdy running back, Ali joins Derrick Henry, Justice Hill, Keaton Mitchell, and Owen Wright on the depth chart in Baltimore. An Ohio native, Ali, rushed for 2831 yards and scored 42 total touchdowns during his time with the Thundering Herd. Rasheed Ali led the FBS with seven plays of 50-plus yards (six runs, one catch) last season.
WR Zay Flowers
Jan 28, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers (4) runs with the ball after making a catch prior to fumbling into the end zone as Kansas City Chiefs safety Justin Reid (20) chases in the AFC Championship football game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
The young rookie carried the Ravens passing attack, logging 77 catches for 858 yards and 5 touchdowns on 108 targets.
WR Devontez Walker
Feb 1, 2024; Mobile, AL, USA; National wide receiver Devontez Walker of North Carolina (14) grabs a pass during practice for the National team at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports
Walker exited the ACC with a career average of 16.8 yards per catch over his college career, and he offers quarterback Lamar Jackson big play potential.
OL Andrew Vorhees
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 08: Andrew Vorhees #72 of the USC Trojans in the second quarter at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 08, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Vorhees appeared in 44 games on the offensive line at USC, with 25 starts at right guard before the All-American tore his ACL during the 2023 scouting combine.
Vorhees could step right into the lineup after a redshirt year as a rookie.
OL Tyler Linderbaum
Dec 11, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Baltimore Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum (64) in pass protection at the line of scrimmage against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
CB Nate Wiggins
CB T.J. Tampa
Iowa State Cyclones’ defensive back T.J. Tampa (2) warms up during the university’s Spring Football game at Jack Trice Stadium Saturday, April 22, 2023, in Ames, Iowa
CB Brandon Stephens
Jan 20, 2024; Baltimore, MD, USA; Houston Texans running back Devin Singletary (26) runs the ball against Baltimore Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen (6) and cornerback Brandon Stephens (21) during the third quarter of a 2024 AFC divisional round game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
Stephens started 16 games at cornerback, and the converted safety logged two interceptions and a 65.5 grade in coverage.
DT Travis Jones
Jan 20, 2024; Baltimore, MD, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) runs the ball against Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Travis Jones (98) during the first quarter of a 2024 AFC divisional round game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
After playing last season at 345 pounds, Jones is down to his goal of 330. Entering Year 3, he’s looking to improve his pass rush game.
Coming off a season with 1.5 sacks and five quarterback hits, Jones looks poised to leap in 2024.
OLB Tavius Robinson
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – OCTOBER 08: Jaylen Warren #30 of the Pittsburgh Steelers stiff arms Tavius Robinson #95 of the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium on October 08, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
Robinson gained valuable experience that will help continue his development as he enters Year 2.
Robinson is coming off a season where he played 335 snaps. Robinson played in all 17 games and notched 26 tackles and one sack.
DT Justin Madubuike
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – OCTOBER 22: Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions loses the ball as he is sacked by Justin Madubuike #92 of the Baltimore Ravens in the first quarter of the game at M&T Bank Stadium on October 22, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Madubuike led all NFL defensive linemen with 13 sacks. He led Baltimore’s pass rush, which has a league-high 57 sacks. Last season, Madubuike tied the NFL record with at least a half sack in 11 straight games, putting him alongside some of the greatest pass rushers to ever play the game.
LB Trenton Simpson
The former Clemson star will look to replace Patrick Queen.
OLB Joe Evans
Nov 18, 2023; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes defensive end Joe Evans (13) pursues Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback John Paddock (4) as offensive lineman Zy Crisler (72) looks on during the first quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
An outside linebacker with pass rusher versatility, Evans led Iowa with 9.5 sacks, 10 quarterback pressures, and 13.5 tackles for loss in 2023.
LB Adisa Isaac
COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 04: Adisa Isaac #20 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates a defensive stop in the third quarter at SECU Stadium on November 04, 2023 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
Penn State’s leading sack artist in 2023, Isaac was drafted in the third round by the Baltimore Ravens with the 93rd pick. Isaac had 7.5 sacks last year which was third in the Big Ten. He also had 37 tackles and 16 tackles for loss.
Isaac earned All Big Ten honors and was named Penn State’s Defensive MVP.
LB Odafe Oweh
Nov 5, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens linebacker Odafe Oweh (99) leaps as Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) throws during the second half at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Baltimore drafted Oweh in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft out of Penn State. He started in 13 games last season and registered five sacks, tied for the most in his career. He also had 23 tackles, 12 quarterback hits, and two forced fumbles.
DB Kyle Hamilton
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 25: Kyle Hamilton #14 of the Baltimore Ravens intercepts a pass intended for Deebo Samuel #19 of the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium on December 25, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Still nowhere near the age of 25 (23), Hamilton was the youngest defensive starter named to the Pro Bowl, quickly emerging as the NFL’s premier safety in his second season. Hamilton plays with poise and maturity while allowing new Ravens DC Zach Orr to implement a dynamic and versatile scheme with three safeties on the field.
DB Ar'Darius Washington
Jan 28, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) runs with the ball against Baltimore Ravens safety Ar’Darius Washington (29) during the first half in the AFC Championship football game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
The Ravens have a competition for the No. 3 safety spot following Geno Stone’s free agency departure, and Washington is the clear leader.
Last season Washington played 78% of the defensive snaps in a Week 1 win against the Houston Texans. He played 95% of the snaps in a Week 2 win in Cincinnati. Through those first two games, Washington had tallied 11 tackles, one sack, two quarterback hits, and two passes defensed. He was the Ravens’ fifth-highest graded defender against the Texans, according to Pro Football Focus.
With Stone’s departure, Washington could have a breakout season.
OL Roger Rosengarten
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – SEPTEMBER 23: Roger Rosengarten #73 of the Washington Huskies in action against the California Golden Bears at Husky Stadium on September 23, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
An offensive tackle at Washington, Rosengarten didn’t allow any sacks in his 1,158 pass-blocking snaps for the Huskies. Baltimore could play the experienced offensive tackle at the right tackle spot, and he’s athletic enough to slide down to offensive guard.
TE Isaiah Likely
Dec 31, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely (80) runs following his catch for a second quarter touchdown against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
During minicamp, Likely said he’s focused on learning all of the receiving positions in Year 2 of Todd Monken’s offense.
In the eight games after he stepped in for the injured Andrews, Likely caught 25 passes for 372 yards and six touchdowns. Baltimore will work to get elite production out of Likely, even with Andrews on the roster.
