OTL: Few Surprises on Baltimore’s Final (for now) 53

The annual 53-man roster announcement is one of the most interesting and anticipated days of the NFL offseason, but Ravens fans had to wait quite a while for the final list of names:

The Ravens typically don’t release their final roster to the public until later in the evening.

Last season, they released it around 8 PM, so you might expect a similar timeline today. pic.twitter.com/ltPb6K4OOs

— ð—¥ð—®ð˜ƒð—²ð—»ð˜€ ð—¡ð—®ð˜ð—¶ð—¼ð—» ð™‡ð™„ð™‘𙀠(@LIVERavenNation) August 27, 2024

Ahead of next Thursday’s season opener in Kansas City, Baltimore showed they’re still the Chiefs’ top rival, at least in terms of announcement timing:

The Baltimore Ravens and the Kansas City Chiefs:

Faced off in the AFC Championship last season.

Face off Week 1 this season.

Are currently facing off to see who releases their 53-man roster last.

Incredible.

— The Ravens Realm (@RealmRavens) August 27, 2024

Clearly, GM Eric DeCosta is making sure that nothing comes easy for KC, and I’m here for it.

When all was said and done, though, there were few surprises with the construction of Baltimore’s roster:

Remaining Ravens on the roster:

(try 3 since i keep using the wrong screenshot) pic.twitter.com/RHRsVm6RN3

— Giana Han (@giana_jade) August 28, 2024

In fact, Jeff Zrebiec successfully picked the full team:

No surprises whatsoever with Ravens roster moves, so much so that this dope went 53-for-53 but who is counting? https://t.co/KdyTlPtUXe

— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) August 28, 2024

As Zrebiec notes in the above piece, there were a number of difficult decisions on the defensive side of things, notably the cuts of Pepe Williams, Bump Cooper Jr., and Daryl Worley.

These names were some of the casualties needed to keep local product Beau Brade around, who really impressed throughout the offseason:

Maryland’s finest, Beau Brade, runs the alley like a starting NFL safety. Controlled aggression.

Confidently processes underneath route concepts and in the run game so he’s first to arrive with more momentum than the receiver or ball carrier. Brings the boom for his size for… pic.twitter.com/QF4vLJSgQJ

— Spencer Schultz (@ravens4dummies) August 27, 2024

Baltimore’s secondary is strong, but depth is key. Just recently, we’ve seen guys like Geno Stone and Chuck Clark go from under-the-radar names to regular contributors.

And although players like Williams, Cooper and Worley had to be let go to make room for Brade, I fully expect a few of them to return to Baltimore’s Practice Squad.

Speaking of players who could make the Practice Squad, Zrebiec feels WR Anthony Miller, a veteran in the league, is a likely target:

The Ravens are planning to release veteran WR Anthony Miller, sources say. Miller didn’t sound with the Ravens until about halfway through camp, but he played well. He’s a vested vet so he’s not subject to waivers. Wouldn’t surprise me to see Ravens try to re-sign him to PS.

— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) August 27, 2024

Miller would bring experience and security to the PS WR room, so I’d be all for this if he’s unable to land on a 53-man roster elsewhere. More importantly, however, I’d like to see DeCosta ensure a certain O-Lineman is brought back after not making the team:

The highest graded rookie offensive lineman this preseason:

Corey Bullock – 83.5 pic.twitter.com/8MXKej0KUI

— PFF BAL Ravens (@PFF_Ravens) August 27, 2024

While Bullock didn’t have the most meaningful minutes in the preseason, he showed out in the time he did have, and that’s all you can do. With question marks along the Ravens’ line heading into 2024, a possible breakout candidate is important to keep around.

Looking ahead to that matchup with Kansas City on September 5^th, all eyes will be on Jackson and his ability to keep up with the arm talent of QB Patrick Mahomes. We all know the media will go crazy if Baltimore is unable to win, but FS1’s Kevin Wildes seems to be in Jackson’s corner:

“It’s enough!”

— @kevinwildes is done with the Lamar disrespect! KW brings out a purple Bulletin Board after an anonymous DC said the Ravens QB ‘can’t pass when he has to’ pic.twitter.com/SvUSD3UojM

— First Things First (@FTFonFS1) August 27, 2024

I, for one, am also fed up with the Lamar Jackson slander online, especially about his passing ability. It seems his fellow players agree, at least.

ESPN asked 103 NFL players who is the most overrated quarterback in the league:

1) #Bills Josh Allen
2) #Eagles Jalen Hurts
T2) #Dolphins Tua Tagovailoa
3) #Chargers Justin Herbert
4) #Jaguars Trevor Lawrence
5) #Browns Deshaun Watson
6) #Cardinals Kyler Murray
T6) #49ers… pic.twitter.com/6XvktobZT1

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) August 28, 2024

But for him to silence the media haters, he’ll have to show out this season, and again in the postseason.

There’s an amazing opportunity to do so, starting Week 1.

The post OTL: Few Surprises on Baltimore’s Final (for now) 53 appeared first on Russell Street Report.