The final in-person phase of the Baltimore Ravens’ offseason officially ended Thursday afternoon when the team gathered near midfield around coach John Harbaugh to hear a message before the conclusion of mandatory minicamp.
“There should be a plan in terms of what we’re trying to accomplish every day,” Harbaugh said moments later when asked about his message to the team. “‘What are you trying to accomplish for the next weeks that lead into training camp to put you in position to have the best training camp to handle the loads involved, become the best team we can be, and be intentional about that every single day?’ That’s the core of the message.”
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For the Ravens, the first few weeks after losing in the AFC championship were characterized by notable departures to Harbaugh’s staff. That gave way to free agency, where the Ravens endured far more losses than roster gains. The draft brought nine additions, several of whom will likely be needed to contribute immediately.
Despite all the player and coach movement, the organized team activities and last week’s mandatory minicamp were mostly uneventful. By all accounts, the Ravens got quality work in. There were no major developments on the injury front, and that’s a good thing this time of year. Running back Derrick Henry, the team’s big free-agent addition, has fit in well. Some younger players have benefitted from another year in an NFL strength and conditioning program. Early draft picks Nate Wiggins and Roger Rosengarten have been as advertised.
There will be some roster tinkering from now until the start of training camp, and general manager Eric DeCosta typically adds a few veterans late in the offseason. But before he does, let’s take stock of Baltimore’s roster. Whose stock is up and whose is down after nearly a month of practice?
Stock Up
Malik Cunningham, WR: With how noncommittal Ravens officials were for much of the offseason about the former quarterback’s role, it was unclear whether he’d even get the opportunity to compete for a roster spot. Cunningham still faces an uphill battle, but he hasn’t looked out of place as he’s transitioned to wide receiver. He made a few plays in just about every practice, and he’s shown good awareness and quickness. The amount of one-on-one attention he’s gotten from Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Todd Monken indicates that they see potential in Cunningham at his new position.
Isaiah Likely, TE: Likely’s spot as the No. 2 tight end behind stalwart Mark Andrews was secure long before he returned to the team facility for the offseason program. However, Likely’s work in OTAs and minicamp gave Monken even more reason to polish those multiple tight end sets. From making highlight-reel one-handed catches in the middle of the field to finding openings underneath to pulling away from defenders after receptions, Likely looked like a player who will be hard to keep off the field.
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Trenton Simpson, ILB: There’s been zero talk in recent weeks of a starting weak-side linebacker competition. That’s because Simpson has looked the part. He’s stronger and more confident in what he’s seeing, and he’s playing fast, which is all you can ask for at this stage. Simpson will make mistakes that just about all first-year starters make, but he’s preparing the right way and doing the right things, including attaching himself to Roquan Smith. The two are taking a vacation to Spain before camp to further strengthen their bond.
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Ronnie Stanley, LT: There’s been plenty written and said about Stanley, who looked healthy and rejuvenated over the past couple of weeks after dealing with significant injuries for the last four years. If Stanley can get anywhere close to his pre-injury form, when he was one of the top tackles in the NFL, it would be a huge development for Baltimore. As it is, team officials had to love how engaged and energetic the 30-year-old was during and after practices. Stanley and Patrick Mekari frequently stayed after practice to work with younger offensive linemen on technique.
Tre Swilling, DB: A member of the practice squad last year, Swilling took advantage of the OTA absence of safety Marcus Williams and the minicamp absence of Kyle Hamilton (elbow procedure) to get some front-line reps. His confidence seemed to rise with each passing week of the offseason, and the ball found him on quite a few occasions, too. There are one or two jobs to be won at safety behind Williams and Hamilton, and Swilling suddenly looks to be in the mix. He helped his cause in recent weeks and is firmly on the radar.
Andrew Vorhees, G: After missing all of his rookie season while rehabbing a knee injury, Vorhees was a bit of a curiosity when the offseason began, simply because he hasn’t been on the field. He’ll enter training camp as the favorite to start at left guard. Baltimore’s decision-makers will get a better idea about Vorhees when the pads come on this summer, but they believe his smarts and physicality will translate well. Vorhees has been on the field for every practice, so the knee appears to be a non-issue, too.
Tylan Wallace, WR: For a second straight year, Wallace will enter training camp perceived to be on the roster bubble. He responded last year with a strong training camp and preseason. He authored a similar performance last week and was probably the receptions leader among the wide receivers. With former All-Pro returner Deonte Harty dealing with a personal matter that kept him away from OTAs and minicamp, Wallace had ample opportunities to impress in that area, too. If the final wide receiver spot ultimately comes down to special teams, as it often does, it’s going to be tough to leave Wallace off.
Honorable mention: Rasheen Ali, RB; Jalyn Armour-Davis, CB; Arthur Maulet, CB; Sean Ryan, WR; Jordan Toles, S; Isaiah Washington, WR
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Stock Down
Ben Cleveland, G: The prevailing thought when the Ravens didn’t use a high draft pick on a guard despite losing starters Kevin Zeitler and John Simpson in free agency was that Cleveland would finally get a chance to earn a starting job. The 2021 third-round pick was more experienced than other candidates like Vorhees and Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, and he also had played reasonably well in spot starts for the Ravens over the past three seasons. Ravens decision-makers insist that Cleveland is still in the mix, but he wasn’t getting the front-line opportunities that other candidates were over the past couple of weeks. Are the coaches trying to make sure he arrives at camp in shape and motivated, or do they just not believe he’s a worthy starter? That answer should become clear relatively early in camp. What’s already clear, though, is Cleveland has some ground to make up.
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Marlon Humphrey, CB: An eight-year veteran and three-time Pro Bowler missing most of OTAs and minicamp isn’t a big deal, as long as he doesn’t have a significant injury. Harbaugh says Humphrey has been sidelined with “nagging things” and should be ready for training camp. Still, not seeing Humphrey on the field much this offseason conjures up bad memories from last season when the cornerback was limited to 10 games and wasn’t healthy for several of those. He missed five games in 2021, as well. This is a big season for Humphrey, given his rising cap number. The last thing he or the Ravens need are questions about his health and durability.
Adisa Isaac, OLB: The rookie third-round pick tweaked his hamstring in rookie minicamp well over a month ago and wasn’t able to return to practice for OTAs or minicamp. His work with a member of the team’s athletic training staff on an adjacent field last week suggests he’s close and should be ready to go for training camp, as long as he has no setbacks. Still, he missed out on several valuable practice reps for a young player and a chance to establish himself in the outside linebacker rotation. There’s time for him to get up to speed, but he’ll start camp a little behind.
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Ar’Darius Washington, DB: Healthy again, Washington has been active in practices and has done nothing to negatively impact his chances of sticking on the roster. However, what absolutely could impact him is the number of quality veteran safeties who remain unsigned and looking for work. That group includes Justin Simmons, Jamal Adams, Eddie Jackson, Micah Hyde, Quandre Diggs and several others. The Ravens are at least saying they are comfortable with their No. 3 safety options, which include Washington, Swilling and rookie seventh-round pick Sanoussi Kane. It’s no secret, though, that the Ravens have preferred using Washington in the nickel. If Baltimore adds one of these veteran safeties on the cheap, and there’s no real reason it won’t, that could push Washington back to cornerback where the depth chart is well populated.
Damarion Williams, CB: This is probably a tad unfair because Damarion Williams had a really nice minicamp and is healthy again. He’s doing a nice job controlling what he can control. However, it remains difficult to look at the team’s depth at corner and not wonder where he fits in. He profiles as a slot corner, and the Ravens have a handful of slot options. Maulet was all over the field last week and is coming off a strong season. Hamilton excelled while matching up in the slot last year. There are still some around the team who believe Humphrey should be in the slot, especially now that Baltimore can line up Wiggins and Brandon Stephens on the outside. Washington will be in the slot corner mix, too. It won’t help Damarion Williams that he hasn’t played as much special teams as guys like Maulet, Armour-Davis and Ka’Dar Hollman, either.
(Photo of Isaiah Likely: Nick Wass / Associated Press)