There were several notable “surprises” (to some) among the Ravens’ final cuts, which included RB Tyler Badie, DB Ar’Darius Washington, DT Isaiah Mack, & others. RSR staff react to all the cuts here:
Darin McCann
It’s easy to forget that this is just one part of building the roster that the Ravens will take to the field on opening day, and, ultimately, throughout the season. A significant part, for sure. But just one part.
Seeing vested veterans like Tony Jefferson, Brent Urban, Steven Means and Kevon Seymour waived suggests that there have been a few handshakes and gentlemanly agreements leading up to this day, and that some injury decisions and call-backs are in short order.
I was hoping Isaiah Mack would survive this round, and will keep my fingers crossed that he can find his way back at some point. A little surprised that Josh Oliver is still around, though he’s played solid this summer, but I thought the numbers might work against him. It will be interesting to see what develops over the next several days.
I think the urgency for an Edge has only increased, making it the team’s clear biggest need right now.
Rob Shields
In a league that is starved for O-linemen, the Ravens kept 11 on their 53-man roster. Most of the time, you see eight or nine, sometimes 10. Eleven is almost unheard of. A trade is possible as the Ravens need to fill other areas of need, namely OLB.
There seems to be a lot of handwringing about cutting Badie and while it’s possible he’s claimed, a lot of teams have promising RBs, so I think there’s a good chance he doesn’t, and ends up on the practice squad.
Josh Ross makes it as an UDFA and considering the struggles of the MILB group, he could make an impact this year, especially coming over from Michigan and knowing the system.
For me, the biggest surprise was keeping Josh Oliver although that may tell you how much they plan on playing Isaiah Likely at a WR spot.
Overall, the roster is far from complete and we only have part of the answers but EDC is typically very busy around this time of the year and I expect several more moves.
Rich Bradshaw
There weren’t too many surprises overall. With the team opting to bring in Kenyan Drake and Gus Edwards starting the year on the PUP list, the running back room looks stable enough to get things going to start the season.
The pass catchers are certainly interesting with Baltimore keeping five(!) tight ends, although Charlie Kolar is expected to be headed to IR. The decision to retain all 11 offensive linemen feels safe and smart after the injuries the unit suffered a year ago and the continued mystery surrounding Ronnie Stanley‘s availability.
Defensively, it’s a massive bummer that the Ravens have next to no edge-rushing depth following the release of both Steven Means and Daelin Hayes. While it’s not out of the realm of possibility for one of them to return following the expected placements of Kolar and David Ojabo to the IR, it certainly is far from ideal on the surface. The defensive line looks plenty deep and Isaiah Mack making the roster is awesome to see. At middle linebacker, you have to love seeing Josh Ross make the cut after a remarkable preseason. His familiarity with defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald from their days at Michigan together could also lead to a nice role for the undrafted rookie.
It was said to see Tony Jefferson get cut, but he could return with one of the projected two spots to open up from IR placements. The secondary looks plenty deep and talented, and as long as the unit remains healthy it should maintain its claim as one of the top secondaries in the NFL.
Kevin McNelis
I think I’m in the majority when I say that the biggest surprises for the final 53 were Josh Oliver and Justice Hill. Hill may have been slightly less of a surprise given his bounce-back offseason, but the corresponding move of cutting Badie was certainly unexpected. As for Oliver, IÂ know the Ravens love to stock up on tight ends, but I’m wondering if there’s more to the Oliver move than what we know, and if there could be a trade incoming.
I loved seeing that Josh Ross got rewarded for his hard work by making the roster as an undrafted rookie. Admittedly, the depth at ILB probably contributed to that, but I don’t want to take anything away from him; he earned that spot, and likely would have earned it on a lot of teams trying out linebackers. It’s a shame that the same couldn’t be said of Shemar Bridges, but I have high hopes that they could bring him back on a handshake deal.
The burning questions remain of what they’ll do with a glut of offensive linemen, especially with Stanley’s mysterious continued absence from practice, and whether Daelin Hayes can somehow rejoin the roster for a chance at redemption. There will be expected movement, like Kolar and Ojabo being designated for IR and opening to roster spots, but I think EDC and company aren’t even close to done with their maneuvering yet.
Jared Pinder
When you have a talented team, most of the roster comprises of high draft picks and free agents. This doesn’t mean this cut-down day doesn’t hold surprises. I was surprised at two moves in particular: cutting Tyler Badie and keeping Josh Oliver. Badie would have added a receiving dimension to the Running Back room. It does make more sense when you consider that Kenyan Drake is close to signing, so EDC must have chosen Drake over Badie.  Oliver, to me, just makes no sense to keep. I understand that the Ravens have to put Charlie Kolar on IR, but he literally does nothing special and can’t block either. The Ravens must have wanted to keep four Tight Ends on the Roster, so with Kolar on I.R., I guess it makes sense, but I still don’t have to enjoy it.
Outside of that, nothing else really bothered me. Hayes surprised me a bit, but it makes sense with the veteran OLB market growing by the hour. Some fans might look at the eleven Offensive Lineman and raise an eyebrow; the Ravens needed that depth and will probably trade one of the Interior o-linemen for picks; whether that is Ben Powers or someone else, we will have to see. Ar‘Darius Washington broke my heart, but I understand it because of the huge amount of depth at safety.
Chris Schisler
The biggest thing I took away from the Ravens’ 53-man roster is that the work can’t be done yet. Once David Ojabo goes to IR you basically only have Odafe Oweh and Justin Houston. There has to be a signing or two coming or that doesn’t make any sense. Parting ways with Steven Means is a questionable decision. He ramped it up down the stretch.
Keeping only five defensive linemen may add to the concerns off the edge. Travis Jones may miss the season opener. Calais Campbell is potentially starting his final season of a long career. Keeping legs fresh is going to be a challenge for the defensive front.
The offensive line by comparison is fully stocked. Is that by necessity? Trystan Colon made the roster as a backup center. It looks like Pat Mekari has to be available as the swing tackle. The offensive line takes up 11 spots of the 53 man roster. That’s a bit more than usual.
I’m glad to see Geno Stone make the team. He was one of the most consistent players in the preseason. Joshf Ross earned a spot with hard work, but what is so exciting about him is his instincts. He played like he’s been there before in games that don’t count. Stone and Ross are players I want to see stick around.
Chad Racine
The biggest surprises were Josh Oliver, Daelin Hayes, Tyler Badie and keeping 11 offensive lineman….for now. I think we all know this current roster is fluid and will not look like this on September 11th.
I anticipate a trade or two if DeCosta is able to get the value that he believes he can. I would think Ben Powers is a prime candidate especially considering the salary cap savings that goes along with it. Is there really a trade market for Josh Oliver? Very curious to see how this shakes out.
I’m nearly certain Tony Jefferson and Brent Urban will be back. Beyond those additions we can expect at least two outside linebackers because as of now there are only two healthy on the roster.
DeCosta has utilized the new roster rules the last couple of years masterfully. Let’s sit back and watch his plan unfold before we complain.
Nikhil Mehta
The Ravens clearly had a plan with this 53-man roster, intending to make multiple moves after their initial cuts. I’ll let that play out before I pass too much judgement, but I still don’t love keeping Josh Oliver as a fifth tight end with a fullback also on the roster. I know Charlie Kolar is going on injured reserve, but I would have attempted to sneak Oliver onto the practice squad and elevate him as needed. It’s tough to see Daelin Hayes waived with an injury designation, and I would have kept Tyler Badie on the team and either waited to sign Kenyan Drake or given Mike Davis a good ol’ Ravens handshake deal.
Keeping Colon was the final surprise, but not shocking considering the shaky state of the offensive line at the moment. We could still see a move there, too.
