LOCK: Haloti Ngata, Terrence Cody, Arthur Jones, Pernell McPhee, Ma’ake Kemoeatu
BUBBLE: Bryan Hall, DeAngelo Tyson
LONG SHOT: Nicolas Jean-Baptiste, Terrence Moore, Ishmaa’ily Kitchen
INJURED: Ryan McBean
Skinny: With the ankle injury to McBean likely sidelining him for the season, Kemoeatu has become a virtual lock and Hall appears to be on the favorable side of the bubble at this point. Kemoeatu has been one of the biggest surprises of camp as Harbaugh says he’s pushing Cody for a starting job.
LINEBACKERS (15)
LOCK: Ray Lewis, Jameel McClain, Paul Kruger, Courtney Upshaw, Brendon Ayanbadejo, Dannell Ellerbe, Albert McClellan
BUBBLE: Sergio Kindle, Nigel Carr, Chavis Williams
LONG SHOT: Stevie Baggs, Ricky Brown, Darryl Blackstock, Josh Bynes
INJURED: Terrell Suggs (will begin season on non-football injury list and not count against 53-man roster)
Skinny: Kindle garnered attention with a strong start to training camp, but the 2010 second-round pick has been quiet since then and shouldn’t be considered a lock at this point. Carr has received plenty of hype and could win one of the final spots on the roster if he proves to be a strong special teams player.
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 athleticism and return skills make him a safe bet, meaning Gorrer and Brown – both members of the 2011 roster – may be competing for one spot. This is the deepest and most talented unit on the team.
SAFETIES (7)
LOCK: Ed Reed, Bernard Pollard, Sean Considine, Christian Thompson
BUBBLE: Emanuel Cook
LONG SHOT: Omar Brown, Cyhl Quarles
Skinny: Cook is listed along with Considine has the first backups to Reed and Pollard, but Thompsons’s physical presence and athleticism put him ahead of Cook in terms of projecting the roster. However, the Ravens like Cook’s special-teams ability and project him to be a factor as a defensive back, meaning they could sneak him on the roster as a fifth safety. Brown gained notoriety with an interception and two fumble recoveries against Atlanta, but he still has a long way to go to be in the conversation for a roster spot.
SPECIALISTS (5)
LOCK: Sam Koch, Morgan Cox
BUBBLE: Billy Cundiff, Justin Tucker
LONG SHOT: Patrick Scales
Skinny: While the Ravens have always viewed the kicking competition as Cundiff’s job to lose, Tucker has simply been too good in practices to not strongly consider him at this stage of the game. These next three preseason games will factor heavily in determining whether the Ravens stay with the incumbent or take the leap with the rookie from Texas. I’ll still give the overall edge to Cundiff, but my confidence is waning in that initial prediction.
