The Baltimore Ravens and Tampa Bay Buccaneers play each other in their final preseason game prior to the 2023 season. With their most recent 29-28 setback, the Ravens had their 24-game preseason winning streak snapped, but more significantly, they hope to build on a wild card appearance from the previous season.
The Buccaneers hope to start the new era—one in which Tom Brady won’t be their quarterback—off with a victory as they split their first two preseason games. The upcoming preseason game should be a good one because both clubs want to start the 2023 season well.
There haven’t been many statements from the Baltimore Ravens, but it’s unlikely that many starters will take the field. Lamar Jackson, Ronnie Stanley, and Odell Beckham are three instances of players who are too seasoned and have a lengthy injury history to get a complete physical check during the preseason.
Beyond that, players near the end of the roster must take advantage of this period of the season to affect the way depth chart battles and team dynamics unfold. As road underdogs, the Ravens should win the game and offer fantastic bets on the Super Bowl odds in the process. The Ravens (+1.5) is a viable road underdog pick.
That said, let’s take a look at what positions we want Ravens fans to pay attention to when the team takes the field.
(#5.) The Edge Rushers
The edge rushers for the Baltimore Ravens will be interesting to watch. One of those seasoned players who shouldn’t participate is Jadeveon Clowney, and Odafe Oweh is also unlikely to take the field. David Ojabo has been working for the past two weeks and should see some work.
Since he missed a season, he is practically a rookie, so the team needs him to be rust-free. Then there is the conflict in Ojabo’s rear. The Baltimore Ravens will have to rely on one of Tavius Robinson, Malik Hamm, or Jeremiah Moon to receive work on the defense this season because Tyus Bowser will likely miss time with a potential NFI designation.
One or two of those names might be added to the roster. Robinson is the most likely candidate because he was selected in the fourth-round of the 2023 NFL Draft, but he has also had more difficulty than Moon and Hamm. Moon began the most recent game and has had a Bowser-like role. Then there is rookie UDFA Hamm, who has made a strong case to be added to the roster. Can he continue this, and outperform any of them to distinguish himself?
(#4.) The Running Backs
You may anticipate that the Baltimore Ravens would give Justice Hill little to no work, if any, given how he performed the first two weeks. The focus of this week will be Melvin Gordon and Keaton Mitchell’s heavy workload. These are the names to keep an eye on, though Owen Wright may also find a job.
The only real questions for Gordon are if he has anything left in the tank and whether any other teams are interested. He has a good chance of making the practice squad as an emergency stash but is unlikely to make the roster.
Keaton Mitchell is the major draw, though. If necessary, Mitchell would beat Gordon thanks to the first two weeks. Even if Mitchell were to defeat Gordon, JK Dobbins, Gus Edwards, and Justice Hill would still be above Mitchell in the positional depth chart.
The Ravens have Devin Duvernay but Mitchell has shown some promise as a kick returner. All of Mitchell’s impressive runs were surpassed by Justice Hill. His final opportunity to make a mark on the roster is now. The Ravens fear losing him if he pulls off several big plays, which is his best-case scenario.
(#3.) The Offensive Line
Following the Baltimore Ravens offensive line’s progress over the coming week will be worthwhile. The top four players will be gone if the starters are given the same classification. You have to question whether John Simpson exerted sufficient effort to get the starting position and a night off as well.
Sala Aumavae-Laulu has been a significant letdown for the Baltimore Ravens thus far in the preseason, so they could use him getting close to a full game’s worth of snaps. Sam Mustipher is currently battling to gain a roster position anywhere a team will have him in addition to fighting for his spot on the squad, as he is very much on the bubble.
Ben Cleveland and Daniel Faalele alternate between right guard and right tackle. Does that persist, or does Tashawn Manning, Jr. play some snaps? Is the seasoned David Sharpe taking another thorough check to the left? Could he exert pressure on Faalele to make the roster?
Jaylon Thomas and Tykeem Doss are two undrafted free agents who have played only sporadically since the Ravens have had a lot of roster restructuring to accomplish, following Manning. Will those two continue to be employed? This weekend will be interesting to watch as several offensive line-related questions are answered.
(#2.) The Cornerbacks
The cornerback room for the Baltimore Ravens has been a nightmare lately, but it is starting to take shape. Marlon Humphrey, who will miss some time, is on the roster despite not having an injury designation.
Ar’Darius Washington ought to play the slot, while Rock Ya-Sin and Ronald Darby should start the first game. Brandon Stephens, who specializes in special teams and has made a preseason start, is next in line. The Ravens’ roster has five spots that are guaranteed.
It’s interesting to note that Kevon Seymour, Kyu Blu Kelly, and Jalyn Armour-Davis are not on that list. This weekend, all three will receive serious consideration for the position of sixth cornerback on the roster. Although Armour-Davis is only in his second NFL season, his entire career has been a complete failure. Now that he is finally well, he wants to play in the preseason.
Kelly had been listed as low on the depth chart, and his enlarged involvement against the Commanders demonstrated why. Will the Ravens really allow him to join the team? But can they really cut a rookie from the fifth round? Kelly was replaced with Seymour, who has proven to be more dependable than Armour-Davis. Do they prioritize Kelly and Armour-Davis over Seymour because of their youth and draft eligibility?
(#1.) Linebackers
The linebackers for the Baltimore Ravens are in for a big week. Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen are not required to play much, if at all. This is something we are aware of. In any case, the Ravens must see the other.
Del’Shawn Phillips and Malik Harrison ought to have secure employment. We’ll merely keep an eye on them to see how long they play when it’s time to visit the others. Depth is the secret to this game. The second pair to come off the bench and the ones to play almost the entire game should be Josh Ross and Trenton Simpson.
Ross is a second-year UDFA. He made the roster last year, but an injury sidelined him. He is currently battling to reclaim his spot on the club. Simpson, a rookie draft pick chosen on day two, will make the club.
Even in college, though, he didn’t participate in the opening preseason game and was more of a hybrid than a positional player. He had a difficult preseason debut, which was to be expected. However, he must demonstrate improvement in the few repetitions he will receive if the Ravens are to put their faith in him to take up Patrick Queen’s duties next season. This weekend, it would be amazing to witness the development of Trenton Simpson. He is the player to keep an eye on.
