Baltimore Ravens: Predicting Final 53-Man Roster
The Baltimore Ravens have finished up the 2023 preseason with a 26-20 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, bringing their preseason record to 1-2. The attention now turns to the regular season with week one against the Houston Texans just a week away. But first the Ravens will have some tough decisions to make on who will be apart of this Ravens team in 2023.
With the roster being cut from 90 to the final 53 lets predict the Ravens final 2023 53-man roster.
Quarterbacks
QB: Lamar Jackson
QB: Tyler Huntley
QB: Josh Johnson
The Ravens have long had a tradition of keep just two quarterbacks on the final roster, but with Tyler Huntley missing a majority of the preseason with injury and Lamar Jackson missing most of the last two seasons. The Ravens feel comfortable with the veteran Josh Johnson to be the third quarterback moving forward into the season after having a strong preseason.
Running Backs
RB: Gus Edwards
RB: J.K. Dobbins
RB: Justice Hill
RB: Keaton Mitchell
Likely the biggest surprise of the group may be undrafted rookie Keaton Mitchell making the final roster. The speedy running back made the most of his opportunities this preseason. Mitchell edged out veteran Melvin Gordon and it seems highly unlikely the Ravens keep more then four running backs, opting instead for the younger Mitchell.
Fullbacks
FB: Patrick Ricard
No surprise here, Ricard has been the leading force in the Ravens rushing attack over the last few seasons. The Ravens attempted to move Ricard to the offensive line early in training camp, but keeping Ricard at fullback will ultimately be the correct decision for the Ravens moving forward into 2023.
Tight Ends
TE: Mark Andrews
TE: Charlie Kolar
TE: Isaiah Likely
The Ravens have one of the best tight end rooms in the NFL with Mark Andrews leading the way. Likely and Kolar both showed flashes last season of what they can become and this group will be a big part in the Ravens offensive success this season.
Wide Receivers
WR: Zay Flowers
WR: Odell Beckham Jr.
WR: Nelson Agholor
WR: Rashod Bateman
WR: Devon Duvernay
WR: Tylan Wallace
Once considered the worst position group on the team has quickly transformed into the best. With the additions of Odell Beckham Jr., Nelson Agholor, and first round pick Zay Flowers this group is poised for a big season. Based on other positional needs the Ravens will likely only keep 6 wide receivers giving the final to sports to Devin Duvernay and Tylan Wallace, who had a strong preseason. That leaves James Proches as the odd man out but is a strong candidate for the practice squad.
Offensive Line
G: Kevin Zeitler
G: John Simpson
G/C: Patrick Mekari
C: Tyler Linderbaum
T: Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu
T: Ronnie Stanley
T: Daniel Faalele
T: Morgan Moses
The Ravens return most of their core offensive line in 2023, while adding several young versatile rookies. The biggest question mark this preseason is who would take the final guard spot to replace Ben Powers. John Simpson, Daniel Faalele, Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, and Ben Cleveland all got opportunities their with John Simpson emerging from the pack. With Falale and Aumavae-Laulu’s ability to play tackle Ben Cleveland becomes the odd man out as the Ravens move on from their disappointing 2021 third-round pick
Secondary
S: Kyle Hamilton
S: Marcus Williams
S: Geno Stone
S: Brandon Stephens
S: Ar’Darius Washington
CB: Marlon Humphrey
CB: Kevon Seymour
CB: Rock-Ya Sin
CB: Jalyn Armour-Davis
CB: Ronald Darby
CB: Damarion Williams
CB: Kyu Blue Kelly
With Damarion Williams and Marlon Humphrey expected to be sidelined for the start of the regular season it will be a young group in the secondary expected to make an impact early. Ar’Darius Washington impressed this preseason and the additions of Ronald Darby and Rock Ya-Sin look to be major contributors throughout the year. Cornerback Arthur Maulet who was signed before the start of training camp doesn’t appear to make the final 53-man roster as he returned to practice for the first time last week, too little to late for a position group that needs healthy bodies.
Linebackers
LB: Patrick Queen
LB: Malik Harrison
LB: Roquan Smith
LB: Trenton Simpson
OLB: Tavius Robinson
OLB: Odafe Oweh
OLB: David Ojabo
Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen return looking to build off their impressive second half from last season. While Odafe Oweh and David Ojabo look to become the two-headed combo that give quarterbacks fits. This linebacker group is a young group with a lot of athleticism. Undrafted rookie and Baltimore native Malik Hamm was left off the final roster, not because of his play, but rather the numbers needed at other positions. He will be a player to keep an eye on as the Ravens will definitely look to staff him on the practice squad. Tyus Bowser, who has not practiced this preseason as he deals with a knee injury. Has remained on the NFI list and will likely be left off the initial 53-man roster as he will be moved to injured reserve meaning he will miss the first four games of the regular season.
Defensive Line
DE: Brent Urban
DE: Jadeveon Clowney
DT: Justin Madubuike
DT: Broderick Washington
DT: Travis Jones
DT: Michael Pierce
With the newest addition of Jadeveon Clowney this group may be the strongest on the defense. While not a lot of sacks are to be had amongst this group it will be hard to run against with the likes of Broderick Washington, Justin Madubuike, and Michael Pierce who returns after missing nearly the entire 2022 season.
Specialists
LS: Tyler Ott
K: Justin Tucker
P: Jordan Stout
Long snapper Nick Moore is lost for the season after a torn Achilles this offseason. The Ravens were fortunate however to sign a pro bowl long snapper in Tyler Ott. While special teams relies on timing through three preseason games, this unit along with the greatest kicker of all time and second year punter Jordan Stout look ready to have another historic season.
