Ravens 2024 training camp Day 7 observations: Isaiah Likely catches everything, David Ojabo ramping up

The first of six two-and-a-half hour practices this week for the Baltimore Ravens started in sunny, 90-degree weather. The heat and sun bore down on those both on the field and the sidelines as the Ravens enter their second week of training camp. Here are my latest observations.

Absences/Injury

1. WR D. Harty
2. RB K. Mitchell (PUP)
3. LB J. Evans
4. LB A. Isaac (NFI)
5. LB Y. Rigby
6. CB T. Tampa (PUP)
7. CB T. Mullen
8. DL R. Nichols

Returning to practice today was wide receiver Zay Flowers (excused), kicker Justin Tucker (excused) and outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy (neck).

Isaiah Likely Gaining Momentum

Likely’s big performance today began in one-on-one drills, as he outworked safety Kyle Hamilton on a short reception from Lamar Jackson. His next rep his route-running gained leverage on safety Eddie Jackson to make another catch. And for the final rep of one-on-ones, Likely lined across from Hamilton again. Initially, Hamilton clamped-up Likely, using his physicality to leverage Likely off his route, but the adjustments made by Likely turned the tables and he gained separation on a streaking route. Jackson floated the ball and though Likely bobbled it twice in stride, he secured the ball at the one-yard line and trotted in for the would-be score.

In team drills, Likely would repeatedly be Jackson’s target and it felt like pitch-and-catch during 3-on-3 and 7-on-7 drills. He may have finished with the most receptions of any Ravens pass-catcher on the day.

Going forward, involving Likely in the offense is a necessity, not a luxury. It’s no surprise today was the best day of the Ravens’ offensive production, seeing as there was only one interception during today’s practice, a steep difference from their 3.33 interception per practice average over the first six days.

“I think Isaiah [Likely] is doing a really good job,” Head Coach John Harbaugh said. “He’s a guy that understands how to fight through these kinds of days. His legs are little tired, [so he] focuses on technique, tries to lock in on his assignment, and he had a good day as a result. It’s one of the things you try to get out of a day like this.”

David Ojabo’s Ramp-Up Seeing Results

The Ravens have worked third-year outside linebacker David Ojabo back into their rotation after undergoing season-ending ACL surgery in late November 2023. He was limited in offseason workouts and but as training camp has come along, Ojabo’s seen an increase in workload. Today, Ojabo had his most productive practice, generating multiple pressures and including a stop on backup quarterback Josh Johnson. Ojabo bull-rushed offensive lineman Josh Jones backward, which in turn forced Johnson to try and bounce outside but couldn’t as Ojabo sealed the exits.

“[I’m] kind of ramping him up now,” Harbaugh said. “More and more reps, [and] more and more drills. [It] won’t be long before you’ll see him in one-on-ones. He did, he had a lot of energy and looks good out there.”

Big Play Highlights

• Wide receiver Isaiah Washington excelled in his two one-on-one reps, catching two deep fades against cornerback Bump Cooper Jr. He also scored a touchdown against Ka’dar Hollman in the late red zone 11-on-11 session.
• Wide receiver Zay Flowers sped past cornerback Damarion Williams to catch a Jackson deep ball touchdown. Flowers also scored during red zone 11-on-11 with a floating 15-yard touchdown behind safety Marcus Williams.
• Hamilton managed to out-muscle tight end Mark Andrews to deny a short reception in a one-on-one.
• Wide receiver Malik Cunningham got the better of cornerback Arthur Maulet with a double move, generating multiple yards of separation.
• Jackson connected with Andrews on the second snap of red zone 11-on-11 for an easy touchdown.
• Cornerback Marlon Humphrey nabbed his fifth interception of training camp, with all five coming from Jackson. In three-on-three, Humphrey denied a deep ball to wide receiver Nelson Agholor.
• Maulet finished the practice strong in 11-on-11, with zero receptions on three passes targeted his way. He gave a finger wag after the second one. He also broke up a ball to tight end Charlie Kolar in three-on-three with an impressive leaping deflection.
• Wide receiver Dayton Wade scored back-to-back touchdowns in red zone drills.

False Start Laps

The Ravens instituted a rule this offseason that any player who jumps before the snap runs a lap around the field. Today, five players were flagged for the infraction.

• Nick Samac
• Josh Jones
• Owen Wright
• Sean Ryan
• Tyler Linderbaum