LOCK: Haloti Ngata, Chris Canty, Brandon Williams, DeAngelo Tyson, Timmy Jernigan
BUBBLE: A.J. Pataiali’i, Derrick Hopkins
LONG SHOT: Levi Brown, Jamie Meder
INJURED: Terrence Cody (could be placed on the reserve physically unable to perform list), Brent Urban (will be placed on season-ending injured reserve), Kapron Lewis-Moore (will be placed on season-ending injured reserve)
Skinny: This unit appeared to have great depth prior to the season-ending injuries suffered by Urban and Lewis-Moore, but it’s likely that Pernell McPhee will now see more time as a down lineman in sub packages. Assuming Cody isn’t ready to start the season, the Ravens could stand to add another experienced defensive lineman to the roster with no rookie free agents really distinguishing themselves.
LINEBACKERS (14)
LOCK: Daryl Smith, C.J. Mosley, Elvis Dumervil, Courtney Upshaw, Terrell Suggs, Arthur Brown, Pernell McPhee
BUBBLE: Albert McClellan, Josh Bynes, John Simon
LONG SHOT: Zachary Orr, Nick DiMarco, D.J. Roberts, Austin Spitler
Skinny: It’s possible that McClellan and Bynes are competing for one spot with the depth ahead of them at inside linebacker, but the former is a core special-teams player while Bynes is a quality backup and solid special-teams player. Simon gets the benefit of the doubt as a 2013 fourth-round pick, but he has been a disappointment to this point in his career and hasn’t shown much this summer.
CORNERBACKS (9)
LOCK: Lardarius Webb, Jimmy Smith, Chykie Brown, Asa Jackson
BUBBLE: Dominique Franks, Tramain Jacobs
LONG SHOT: Sammy Seamster, Deji Olatoye, Marrio Norman
Skinny: Franks and Jacobs make the roster by default with Smith, Webb, and Jackson all banged up right now, but the Ravens should be desperate to add another quality cornerback to the mix. Jacobs, Seamster, and Olatoye would all be candidates for the practice squad depending on how the final roster comes together.
SAFETIES (8)
LOCK: Matt Elam, Darian Stewart, Terrence Brooks, Jeromy Miles
BUBBLE: Brynden Trawick, Anthony Levine, Omar Brown
LONG SHOT: none
SUSPENDED: Will Hill (will be suspended for the first six games of the regular season)
Skinny: Miles is a quality special-teams player and has been complimented for his work in the secondary, and Trawick appears to be ahead of Levine and Brown in the race for a roster spot. Hill will be an intriguing option if he can stay out of trouble and remain in good shape until his six-game suspension concludes in October.
SPECIALISTS (4)
LOCK: Sam Koch, Morgan Cox, Justin Tucker
BUBBLE: none
LONG SHOT: Richie Leone
Skinny: There’s nothing to see here as Leone hasn’t seriously challenged Koch for the punter job this summer.
