OTL: Rookies Sign Deals, EDC Does Some Roster Manipulation

With the 2024 NFL Draft in the rearview mirror, it is time for camp season. This is the time of year when the rookies show up to the Castle to sign their rookie contracts and/or get some work in before the veterans arrive in the coming weeks and months.

Ravens rookies reported for minicamp today. https://t.co/OzRVvzkB5z

— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) May 2, 2024

Speaking of signing contracts, the Ravens are off and running with that as they have raced to get their players from this class signed to their first deals.

#Ravens signed draft picks Nate Wiggins, T.J. Tampa, Roger Rosengarten and Sanoussi Kane

— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) May 2, 2024

For context, Wiggins is the first player on any team to sign his contract in this year’s draft. Everything from how fast he was selected to now being the first to sign his contract show me how much they believe in him as a player. It is also nice to get the others signed so quickly as overall the team is wasting no time this year with these rookies, signing five of the nine already. Now, these guys can relax and do what they have to do to prepare themselves for their first tastes of NFL minicamps & beyond.

Elsewhere in housekeeping…

#Ravens received roster exemption for international player David Ojabo

— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) May 2, 2024

Now, this one is a little bit weird, but let me explain. This rule is used to prevent an international player from being counted against the camp roster, and the Ravens are exploiting it for some roster manipulation purposes. The rules state that it can be used when a player can’t participate in camp because of injury or traveling issues. At this point, we don’t know why Ojabo had to be placed on this list though.

Ravens were also granted international roster exemption for OLB David Ojabo. This allows Ravens to carry 91 players. Each team is eligible for international roster exemption. Since Ravens have international player on roster, this opens up a spot for them to sign another player

— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) May 2, 2024

I don’t think we have any reason to believe Ojabo is being slowed down in his recovery, nor that this might be cutting into his camp time. Unless we hear otherwise, let’s rest assured that it’s just some roster manipulation.

Basically, the Ravens are getting an extra roster spot for camp since Ojabo qualifies as an international player under the IPP program. Don't think it's much more than that, but smart to take advantage of it. https://t.co/ObipsMOLeX

— Nikhil Mehta (@nmehtaUR2022) May 2, 2024

To leave us off today, I got caught dreaming about the potential of this secondary with the addition of Wiggins. Baltimore could have a CB room of Marlon Humphrey, Brandon Stephens, and Wiggins with Kyle Hamilton and Marcus Williams at Safety. Then add in-depth like Arthur Maulet and JAD, and newcomer T.J. Tampa; this secondary is looking like a shut down unit right now. This could mean the best defense would have Marlo in the slot, but at this point, Zach Orr will probably move around these guys a lot, just like Mike Macdonald did last year.

It was nice to see all those guys get signed this week. The Flock can’t wait to see them in action.