Ravens 53-man roster prediction ahead of roster cuts

The 2023 NFL preseason has come and gone. Now come the big decisions for Baltimore Ravens GM Eric DeCosta, who will have to tell 37 players that they're not good enough to make the 53-man roster in 2023. The clock is ticking with the deadline for roster cuts coming up on Tuesday, Aug. 29 at […]

Charles Goldman — NFL Managing Editor

Aug 27, 2023 11:25 AM EDT

The 2023 NFL preseason has come and gone.

Now come the big decisions for Baltimore Ravens GM Eric DeCosta, who will have to tell 37 players that they're not good enough to make the 53-man roster in 2023. The clock is ticking with the deadline for roster cuts coming up on Tuesday, Aug. 29 at 4:00 p.m. ET.

Who will make the active roster for the Ravens this season? Here's a look at how it'll shake out in our final predictions:

Note: Players with single asterisk (*) are 2023 draft picks and players with double asterisks (**) are 2023 undrafted free agents.

Quarterback (2)

In: Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley

Out: Josh Johnson and Anthony Brown

The Why: Johnson and Brown will likely both make it through to the practice squad.

Running back (5)

In: J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards, Justice Hill, Keaton Mitchell**, and Patrick Ricard (FB)

Out: Melvin Gordon and Owen Wright**

The Why: Mitchell has impressed enough to earn a spot on the roster over the likes of Gordon and Wright. Even with a less run-heavy approach, I think this team values having a stacked running back room. Owen Wright to the practice squad if he makes it through waivers.

Tight end (3)

In: Mark Andrews, Isaiah Likely, and Charlie Kolar

Out: Travis Vokolek**

The Why: Vokolek and Kolar have been neck and neck, but I think you've got a better chance of sneaking the rookie onto the practice squad. Kolar has experience and youth on his side. Vokolek is a 25-year-old rookie who the entire league passed on multiple times.

Wide receiver (6)

In: Odell Beckham Jr., Rashod Bateman, Zay Flowers*, Devin Duvernay, Tylan Wallace, and Nelson Agholor

Out: Shemar Bridges, Laquon Treadwell, James Proche, Tarik Black, Sean Ryan**, and Dontay Demus Jr.**

The Why: I know that Sean Ryan is a bit of a fan favorite, but I think that Wallace and Agholor have shown more. I'd roll the dice on getting Ryan, Treadwell and Demus Jr. to the practice squad.

Offensive line (9)

In: Ronnie Stanley, Morgan Moses, Tyler Linderbaum, Kevin Zeitler, Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu*, John Simpson, Patrick Mekari, Daniel Faalele, and Sam Mustipher

Out: Ben Cleveland, David Sharpe, Jake Guidone**, Jaylon Thomas**, Tykeem Doss**, and Tashawn Manning**

NFI: Andrew Vorhees*

The Why: Cleveland got put in the blender by his former UGA teammate Jordan Davis, but by all accounts, he has not had a good offseason. This feels like the best combination for Baltimore.

Ar’Darius Washington & Geno Stone – Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports

Defensive line/rush linebackers (10)

In: Broderick Washington, Brent Urban, Michael Pierce, Justin Madubuike, Travis Jones, Odafe Oweh, Jadeveon Clowney, David Ojabo, Tavius Robinson*, and Jeremiah Moon

Out: Angelo Blackson, Trey Botts**, Kaieem Casaer**, Rayshad Nichols, Kelle Sanders**, and Malik Hamm**

NFI: Tyus Bowser

The Why: A perfect blend of a stout interior D-Line and explosiveness when it comes to pass-rushers.

Linebacker (5)

In: Roquan Smith, Patrick Queen, Trenton Simpson*, Malik Harrison, and Delshawn Phillips

Out: Kristian Welch and Josh Ross

The Why: This group feels pretty cut-and-dry. Keep the best players for defense and special teams.

Cornerback (6)

In: Marlon Humphrey, Ronald Darby, Rock Ya-Sin, Brandon Stephens, Ar'Darius Washington, and Kyu Blu Kelly*

Out: Arthur Maulet, Jalyn Armour-Davis, Kevon Seymour, Damarion Williams, Tae Hayes, and Corey Mayfield Jr.**

NFI: Trayvon Mullen

The Why: This position group is tough because the Ravens have dealt with a lot of injuries here already, both of the ticky-tacky variety and more significant. I could easily see any variety of players making it at the cornerback position. Releasing vested players like Arthur Maulet and Kevon Seymour could allow the team to make a move with Marlon Humphrey as he deals with injury.

Safety (4)

In: Marcus Williams, Kyle Hamilton, Deandre Houston-Carson, and Jeremy Lucien**

Out: Geno Stone and Daryl Worley

The Why: This group is stacked, but the top players at the position feel decided. I went with young players at the position who have impressed in Lucien and Houston-Carson over veterans like Stone and Worley.