LOCK: Haloti Ngata, Terrence Cody, Arthur Jones, Ryan McBean, Pernell McPhee
BUBBLE: Ma’ake Kemoeatu, DeAngelo Tyson, Bryan Hall, Nicolas Jean-Baptiste
LONG SHOT: Ishmaa’ily Kitchen, Terrence Moore
Skinny: The veteran Kemoeatu figures to have the inside track on a spot if he proves he’s over the Achilles and shoulder injuries that plagued him in recent years. Jean-Baptiste is an undrafted rookie to keep an eye on during the preseason.
LINEBACKERS (13)
LOCK: Ray Lewis, Jameel McClain, Paul Kruger, Courtney Upshaw, Terrell Suggs (likely PUP), Brendon Ayanbadejo, Dannell Ellerbe, Albert McClellan
BUBBLE: Sergio Kindle, Nigel Carr, Josh Bynes, Chavis Williams
IR: Michael McAdoo
Skinny: The Ravens would love to see Kindle emerge as a quality depth player, but he must show growth from last year to guarantee his roster spot. Nigel Carr, a rookie free agent from Alabama State, showed nice athleticism during OTAs to garner attention from the coaching staff.
CORNERBACKS (8)
LOCK: Lardarius Webb, Cary Williams, Jimmy Smith, Corey Graham
BUBBLE: Asa Jackson, Danny Gorrer, Chykie Brown
LONG SHOT: Jordan Mabin
Skinny: The rookie Jackson’s return skills make him a safe bet to make the roster, meaning Gorrer and Brown – both members of the 2011 roster – may be competing for one spot during training camp. This is the best unit on the team in terms of depth and ability.
SAFETIES (7)
LOCK: Ed Reed, Bernard Pollard, Sean Considine, Christian Thompson
BUBBLE: Emanuel Cook
LONG SHOT: Omar Brown, Cyhl Quarles
Skinny: The Ravens like Cook’s special teams ability and believe he can develop in the secondary, but his spot will be based on numbers and needs at other positions.
SPECIALISTS (5)
LOCK: Sam Koch, Morgan Cox, Billy Cundiff
BUBBLE: None
LONG SHOT: Justin Tucker, Patrick Scales
Skinny: Tucker shows impressive distance on his kicks, but I’m not ready to declare Cundiff’s job to be in jeopardy until seeing otherwise in the preseason. The memory of last January will never fade away, but Tucker has yet to make a professional kick.
