Ravens News 6/11: Minicamp Competitions

Five things to watch at Ravens minicamp, including Lamar Jackson, Rashod Bateman and offensive line

Brian Wacker, The Baltimore Sun

Can Jackson and Bateman develop chemistry?

Harbaugh said in March that he expects Bateman to take a “big step” this season. General manager Eric DeCosta also believes in him, having signed the 2021 first-round draft pick to a two-year extension in April that in Bateman’s view “came out of nowhere.” And Jackson has routinely spoken up about how talented he thinks Bateman is.

But whether they can get on the same page for the kind of production Baltimore hoped for when it selected the receiver 27th overall out of Minnesota remains to be seen, though there are signs Bateman could be poised for his best season yet.

For one, he says he’s healthy in the offseason for the first time in his career after dealing with injuries to his groin and then foot. For another, despite just 32 catches for 367 yards, one touchdown and a career-low 3.6 targets per game, he was open often last season. The problem was that sometimes Jackson misfired, sometimes Bateman wasn’t the first or even second option, and sometimes the receiver simply dropped the ball.

This week figures to be one of many important ones for the duo.

After Bateman attended the early part of OTAs and Jackson the final week, mandatory minicamp will be the first opportunity for the two to be on the field for an extended period during the offseason. Even their workouts haven’t aligned until now, though each is looking forward to what they think they can accomplish.

2024 NFL offseason: Majority of teams open mandatory minicamps this week

Kevin Patra, NFL.com

Baltimore Ravens

What is the offensive line pecking order? Is there even a pecking order at this point? The only staples thus far have been Ronnie Stanley at left tackle and Tyler Linderbaum at center. The three other spots are up for grabs. Andrew Vorhees, coming off a red-shirt season, Ben Cleveland, Daniel Faalele, Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, Josh Jones and 2024 second-round pick Roger Rosengarten will all get a chance to grab one of the three starting gigs. Rosengarten is one to watch at right tackle. Vorhees could swipe the left guard spot after impressing during OTAs. But any or all could change between now and Week 1. The non-contact nature of offseason workouts makes it difficult to gauge how offensive lines will look when the real action starts, but we can get a sense of how teams view their potential rotation and competitions.

Players And Storylines to Watch at Ravens Minicamp

Ryan Mink, BaltimoreRavens.com

Several other competitions will come into focus.

The offensive line competition is the most intriguing because there are three open positions up for grabs, but it’s far from the Ravens’ only competition to watch at minicamp.

The other top competitions are for the third safety role, backup cornerbacks, the final couple wide receiver spots, and special teams returner.

Players to watch at those spots include safeties Ar’Darius Washington and Sanoussi Kane, rookie Nate Wiggins and fellow cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis, and wide receivers Deonte Harty, Tylan Wallace, and Malik Cunningham.

Ravens roster competitions that will pick up steam at mandatory minicamp

Jeff Zrebiec, The Athletic

Third outside linebacker

The competitors: Malik Hamm, Adisa Isaac, David Ojabo, Tavius Robinson

The favorite: If healthy, Ojabo

Malik Harrison figures to still have a role on the outside on early downs and obvious running situations. The question is who will occasionally spell Kyle Van Noy and/or Odafe Oweh, or at least join them on the field on passing downs? The Ravens would love for it to be Ojabo, but the 2022 second-round pick, who has been limited to just five games over his first two seasons, won’t be fully cleared to return from a knee injury until some point during training camp. He still has plenty to prove.

Isaac, a 2024 third-round pick, has been dealing with a hamstring strain since rookie minicamp, so he hasn’t had the opportunity to show what he can do. Hamm and Tavius Robinson could play their way into the mix this summer. Signing a veteran pass rusher late in the offseason has become almost a yearly occurrence for the Ravens, so more competition could be added.

No. 3 safety

The competitors: Beau Brade, Sanoussi Kane, Tre Swilling, Jordan Toles, Ar’Darius Washington

The favorite: Washington

It’s possible — if not likely — that the team’s No. 3 safety for the Sept. 5 regular-season opener is not currently on the roster. The Ravens need at least three safeties they trust to play significant snaps. That will allow defensive coordinator Zach Orr to move Hamilton around and use him in different matchups. That’s why Geno Stone, who departed in free agency last season, was so valuable. The Ravens have yet to replace Stone, but there are several accomplished veteran safeties still available in free agency. It makes too much sense for general manager Eric DeCosta not to add one of them. Washington is a player the Ravens like, but they’ve preferred using him in nickel situations. It seems more likely that if they make the team, Kane and Brade’s initial contributions would come on special teams.

Reason for optimism for all 32 NFL teams in 2024: Jayden Daniels is teeming with potential, Mike Macdonald kicks off new era in Seattle

Dalton Wasserman, PFF

BALTIMORE RAVENS

They are still stacked with talent

The Ravens are the AFC version of the 49ers. They are incredibly talented and balanced. Their overall team grade in 2023 ranked second behind San Francisco. Lamar Jackson is the reigning MVP. Now, they’ve added running back Derrick Henry, who continued to excel last season with a 90.1 overall grade.

Baltimore’s defense lost linebacker Patrick Queen but retained elite playmakers in Roquan Smith, Justin Madubuike and Kyle Hamilton. First-round pick Nate Wiggins adds needed speed and length at cornerback. If the Ravens find enough help at wide receiver and along the offensive line, they will contend for a Lombardi Trophy.