OTL: Ravens Secondary is Primary Attraction

It was a scorcher out there on Thursday at the Castle. It was so hot, in fact, that the Ravens had to end practice early.

Ravens just concluded practice. Harbaugh cut it short in very hot conditions. Ben Cleveland headed to training room early. Wasn’t clear if it was heat related. Faalele was struggling with heat as well.

— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) August 1, 2024

While it was confirmed that Cleveland was fine and that it was only a minor head injury, OL depth is one area of concern on my mind as the season inches closer. The Ravens will be put in a tough spot if even one man goes down, especially at guard. While I have some faith in Andrew Vorhees stepping up immediately, that right guard spot is starting to worry me a bit.

As for the bookend on that side, one rookie is starting to show out.

Roger Rosengarten got first- team reps at RT today. Patrick Mekari also workef his way in.

— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) August 1, 2024

Indeed, we have yet to determine if this is permanent. They might be trying something different to shake some things up. However, if Rosengarten improves on his strength, his only fundamental flaw as a prospect, they might feel like he is ready immediately. There will be growing pains, but I feel good about this if the team and Coach Joe D think he’s already earned first-team reps.

On the other side of the coin, I’m not worried about the secondary in the least. In my opinion, the Ravens have the best in the NFL, and their depth is a big reason why. One overlooked player in particular is making waves in all the right ways.

Otherwise, Armour-Davis had another strong practice, forcing several incompletions and getting his hands on a few footballs. He’s probably improved his stock over the past 10 days more than any player on the roster.

— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) August 1, 2024

Jayln Armour-Davis getting over his injury bug and playing quality football will be a massive development for this team. He is a player who has always had the ability, but has been held back by availability. If he is good this year, that means that at just cornerback, they have quality starting play from at least four guys (Humphrey, Stephens, Maulet, and JAD), helping take pressure off rookie Nate Wiggins, who we’re also excited for. That is why I feel like the Ravens have the best secondary: no one in the league can match their quality from top to bottom of the depth chart, when healthy.

But what about the secondary superstars? Well, another player reminded us of who he is on Thursday.

Safety Kyle Hamilton with one of the top plays of training camp. Jackson went downfield to Andrews.

Andrews initially caught the ball but Hamilton, ripped the ball from him for an interception as they landed on the grass.

— Kyle Phoenix (@KylePBarber) August 1, 2024

What more is there to say about Kyle Hamilton? He is such a playmaker every time he is near a football. Like many of the other great safeties in football, he knows where the ball will be every single time.

The Ravens Media team captured this moment, and the play looks even better in motion:

@kyledhamilton_ pic.twitter.com/Mi5hinhZVT

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 1, 2024

(Though Hamilton didn’t “rip it” so much, as Kyle thought he saw, but had it bounce to him.) His ball skills are unprecedented right now. It’s almost like his hands are football magnets.

Hamilton is an irreplaceable member of this team, and he makes this defense run as smoothly as possible. We still don’t know how new DC Zach Orr will deploy him, but he will make plays from anywhere he is lined up, and will remain a cheat code.

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