The Baltimore Ravens head into training camp with multiple positions up for grabs.
The Baltimore Ravens are looking to get over the hump this season. Namely, to get past the Kansas City Chiefs and reach the Super Bowl after falling just short in 2023. The road to the Super Bowl in the AFC starts in Kansas City. However, before they even get there, they have to navigate training camp. And the Ravens training camp will feature multiple positions that are currently up in the air.
Right tackle
Roger Rosengarten versus Daniel Faalele versus Josh Jones
Last year’s starting right tackle, Morgan Moses, was traded to the New York Jets during the offseason. Now, this position is wide open and the early favorite could be a rookie.
The Ravens drafted Washington offensive tackle Roger Rosengarten in the second round and the Ravens are very high on the former Husky. General manager Eric DeCosta turned down trade offers during the draft, as teams were looking to move up to get Rosengarten.
Former Minnesota big man Daniel Faalele and free agent addition Josh Jones will also be in the mix, as the Ravens make this a true three-way battle. However, the expectation heading into Ravens training camp is that Rosengarten eventually gets the nod to replace Moses. And, may eventually move over to left tackle for an already 30-year-old Ronnie Stanley.
Backup quarterback
Josh Johnson versus Devin Leary
Tyler Huntley is now in Cleveland, so the Ravens need a new face to back up the reigning MVP of the league, Lamar Jackson. That job likely will land with a pretty familiar face across the entire NFL, including Baltimore.
Johnson’s career has been well-documented at this point. This is currently his third stint with the Ravens amongst the plethora of teams he has played for in his career. He’ll bring a veteran presence and give the Ravens a solid fallback option.
This may not be much of a battle, per se. However, it will be interesting to at least see what Devin Leary will bring to the table. The former Kentucky and North Carolina State quarterback flashed some tools in college and now gets to learn from offensive coordinator Todd Monken and quarterbacks coach Tee Martin. He’ll be intriguing to watch during the preseason.
Cornerback
Nate Wiggins versus Jalyn Armour-Davis
Brandon Stephens is set at one corner spot, and Marlon Humphrey will handle the slot. So who gets the other outside position?
Jalyn Armour-Davis is going to do his best to keep up, but first-round pick Nate Wiggins may run away, almost literally, with the role.
Wiggins, the speedster out of Clemson, posted the second-fastest 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine this year. He has already impressed the Ravens with his speed and ball skills during OTAs and minicamp.
“Wiggins can really, really run,” wrote ESPN’s Jamison Hensley. “He was the fastest defensive player at the NFL combine and he was the fastest Ravens defensive player in spring workouts, showing a burst in changing directions.”
Wiggins is a rookie and still has to earn his keep. But the early indication is that he’ll soon pace the field in the race to join Stephens and Humphrey on the field.
