OTL: Few Surprises Among Ravens Final Cuts

At long last, fans finally have their 2023 Baltimore Ravens 53-man roster. The initial roster, that is. After the final preseason game and a wrap on Training Camp, the squad was trimmed down on Tuesday, with rumors swirling all day about cuts.

#Ravens have released Cole Jackson, per @ColeJacksonFB

Tough break. This represents the 10th consecutive year he failed to make the Final 53.

There is no intention of bringing him on the practice squad.#RavensFlock

— Cole Jackson (@ColeJacksonFB) August 29, 2023

Jokes aside, GM Eric DeCosta and the team brass took their time making moves, reportedly even having some players practice before cuts were made.

Maybe the #Ravens are hoping no one notices and they can keep like 59?

— Bo Smolka (@bsmolka) August 29, 2023

Eventually, though, there was some real traction with rumors, including the exciting names below:

LET’S WORK. 😈💯 pic.twitter.com/lmoAziUndU

— Ravens Nation LIVE (@LIVERavenNation) August 29, 2023

Lafayette UDFA OLB Malik Hamm has made the Ravens 53-man roster, sources saying.

Edit: JB shared this post which appears to confirm right before I did! https://t.co/dijdZVEwSN

— Spencer N. Schultz (@ravens4dummies) August 29, 2023

Both undrafted players, Mitchell and Hamm both really stood out in camp and during preseason games. While Mitchell was more of the fan favorite, there’s reason to be pumped about Hamm, as well.

The former Lafayette College (and City College HS in Baltimore) product is one of a handful of Patriot League players in the league right now, but he is the former conference player of the year last season. With a budding defensive front, I like the rookie learning from the others in the room.

Mitchell is more likely to make a splash from the running back position, though, and he ranked 5^th-best for RBs in the preseason, according to PFF.

Ravens RB Keaton Mitchell had the fifth best preseason grade among all offensive rookies, per @PFF.

This man was undrafted…🤯 pic.twitter.com/77gK0XR6vK

— Ravens Nation LIVE (@LIVERavenNation) August 29, 2023

Escaping Week 2 with just a stinger was huge for Mitchell. He’d earned this spot with explosive runs and strong special teams play, but a long-term injury could have made the difference.

Unfortunately, while the day is so positive for some, the majority are told they didn’t make the cut. Here are a few that stood out to me:

The Ravens have cut TE Travis Vokolek and WR Sean Ryan, per @jeffzrebiec. pic.twitter.com/hTGr5JP1K1

— Ravens Nation LIVE (@LIVERavenNation) August 29, 2023

After his tough drop last Saturday, Sean Ryan wasn’t much of a surprise. Vokolek, on the other hand, could have made the roster without too much question. He’s one I’d like to see join Laquon Treadwell on the practice squad:

Veteran WR Laquon Treadwell plans to sign a practice squad deal with the #Ravens tomorrow, source says.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 29, 2023

You can never have too many tight ends in Baltimore. All in all, though, this was the full list of transactions come Tuesday’s deadline:

Ravens notable moves:

-QB: Josh Johnson cut and Anthony Brown waived

CB: Kyu Kelly (fifth-round rookie) waived

OLB: Tyus Bowser on NFI, meaning he’ll miss first four games pic.twitter.com/7YgTFSnu6s

— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) August 29, 2023

The Ravens waived rookie CB Kyu Kelly, a notable departure from their usual strategy of keeping draft picks. He struggled in camp and against starters in the preseason.

— Jonas Shaffer (@jonas_shaffer) August 29, 2023

As usual, I’d fully expect some of these names to be back after injury designations and the like. One that feels like a foregone conclusion is Brent Urban, and I wouldn’t at all be surprised if Kevon Seymour, Daryl Worley, or both end up playing for the Ravens this season.

Ravens have also released veteran DE Brent Urban, source says. However, expectation is that Urban will be back once a couple of Ravens are placed on IR. Part of the roster gymnastics teams do this time of year. Urban did the same last year. Was released and then re-signed.

— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) August 29, 2023

Per sources, the Ravens are releasing DB Kevon Seymour, but it's likely only temporary. Seymour, a vested vet who isn't subject to waivers, had a strong summer. Good special teams player and played well at CB this summer. Could be re-signed when guys go to IR later this wk.

— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) August 29, 2023

With all these cuts in mind, though, let’s look at the roster as it stands today. Where are the holes?

#Ravens initial 53-man roster:

OFFENSE
QB (2): Lamar Jackson, Tyler Huntley

RB (5): JK Dobbins, Gus Edwards, Justice Hill, Keaton Mitchell, Pat Ricard

WR (6): Odell Beckham Jr., Rashod Bateman, Zay Flowers, Nelson Agholor, Devin Duvernay, Tylan Wallace

TE (3): Mark Andrews,…

— Spencer N. Schultz (@ravens4dummies) August 29, 2023

For me, it’s still at EDGE and CB. Luckily, waivers and trades are still in play, and there are a few names I’d like. First, we’ll start with Derek Barnett, the disgruntled Eagles rusher that’s seeking a trade:

Pro Football Network lists Ravens as one of the best landing spots for DE Derrick Barnett if traded.

Thoughts? 🤔💭 pic.twitter.com/I97HHbI2QS

— Ravens Nation LIVE (@LIVERavenNation) August 29, 2023

I agree with PFN in this case. Barnett is a savvy veteran with a track record of success, and while they’ll want to let Oweh and Ojabo shine, the latter didn’t have a great showing this preseason. There may come a time that Barnett would need to take over the lead role off the edge.

In the secondary, how about claiming Bradley Roby off waivers? He may not get to Baltimore, but the 10-year veteran could solidify a position group with a lot of injuries and youth. If the Ravens don’t want Jalyn Armour-Davis starting Week 1, could they claim the former Bronco, Texan and Saint?

I doubt both of these moves happen, but if either do, it might be enough to change Adam Rank’s season prediction for the AFC North:

Will the Bengals claim the top spot in the AFC North? (via @adamrank) 👀 pic.twitter.com/VjyquW2kaY

— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) August 29, 2023

There’s some bulletin board material for the boys, at least.