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8 Ravens roster bubble players who should earn spots on the final 53
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- 8 Ravens roster bubble players who should earn spots on the final 53
The Baltimore Ravens entered training camp with one open starting job, but the bottom of the roster was far less settled. Young players had opportunities to win roles at quarterback, running back, wide receiver, tight end, center and every level of the defense.
Baltimore's 3-0 preseason provided answers. Production mattered, but so did improvement, assignment discipline, special-teams value and whether a player showed traits the Ravens could develop over multiple seasons.
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These eight players began the summer with something to prove and did enough to earn places on our projected initial 53-man roster.
Joe Fagnano, quarterback
Fagnano went from fighting for practice repetitions to making a legitimate case for the No. 3 quarterback job. The undrafted rookie completed 22 of 28 passes for 224 yards and a touchdown in the opener, followed with a 15-of-20 performance against Minnesota and finished the preseason with another efficient outing against Washington .
He consistently operated the offense with poise, processed quickly and delivered accurately from the pocket. Baltimore can attempt to carry only Jackson and Huntley, but Fagnano showed enough that exposing him to waivers would create unnecessary risk. He earned the third spot.
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Adam Randall , running back
Randall's transition from college receiver to NFL running back made him one of the most intriguing developmental players on the roster. His improvement as a runner was visible throughout camp, and he reinforced his versatility against Washington with 25 rushing yards and 45 receiving yards.
Randall can contribute on passing downs, line up in different formations and provide a bigger back behind Henry. His ceiling separates him from the other candidates for the third job.
LaJohntay Wester , wide receiver/returner
Wester entered camp as Baltimore's leading return specialist. He leaves it looking like a legitimate offensive contributor. His speed began to show up in the structure of his routes, and Jesse Minter repeatedly praised his attention to detail, separation, and growing command of the position.
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Wester scored touchdowns against Minnesota and Washington, capping a summer in which he earned the confidence of coaches and quarterbacks. His return ability protects his game-day role, but his development as a receiver earned him the roster spot.
Josh Cuevas, tight end
Cuevas took advantage of an unsettled depth chart behind Andrews and Smythe. He led Baltimore with 46 receiving yards against Minnesota and continued to look comfortable as a movable target in Doyle's offense.
The Ravens can align Cuevas in the slot, use him off the ball and continue developing his blocking. That versatility gives him the edge for the fourth tight end job.
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Jovaughn Gwyn , center/guard
Pinter's knee injury changed the center competition, but Gwyn still had to prove he could handle an expanded role. He received first-team work, started the final two preseason games at center and showed the positional flexibility Baltimore values in its reserve linemen.
Pocic's experience may eventually win the starting job. Gwyn's ability to play center and guard makes him necessary depth regardless of who starts Week 1.
Rayshaun Benny, defensive tackle
Benny faced one of the most crowded competitions on the roster. The seventh-round rookie steadily improved, held up against the run and flashed interior disruption throughout the summer. He finished the finale with three tackles and joined Baltimore's wave of young defensive linemen making plays behind the line of scrimmage.
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The decision could come down to Benny and Aeneas Peebles . Peebles produced a strong preseason, but Benny's draft status, size and long-term upside give him the narrow advantage in this projection.
Ethan Burke, outside linebacker
No defender did more to change his standing. Burke recorded a sack, two pass breakups and a forced fumble against Minnesota, then forced another fumble on Baltimore's first defensive snap against Washington.
At 6-foot-6, Burke has the length and frame to become a complete edge defender. More importantly, his impact plays were accompanied by consistent pressure and improved edge discipline. He outplayed several drafted competitors and continued Baltimore's long tradition of undrafted rookies making the initial roster.
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Bilhal Kone , cornerback
Kone lost his rookie season to injury and entered his second summer without an established NFL role. His length, speed and ability to play outside give Baltimore something it cannot easily replace on the practice squad.
The Ravens are deep at cornerback, but that depth makes waiver decisions more dangerous. Kone's developmental ceiling and special-teams ability should earn him the final outside corner job.
Not all eight players will have large roles in Week 1. That isn't the standard at the bottom of the roster. Each showed a useful trait, proved capable of helping on game day, or displayed enough upside that Baltimore should not risk losing him before the development is complete.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: 8 Ravens roster bubble players who should earn spots on the final 53
