1. Kyle Hamilton has the makeup and physical gifts to become the greatest defensive player in franchise history not named Ray Lewis or Ed Reed. That isn’t suggested lightly, but it’s why Baltimore didn’t wait to give him a whopping four-year, $100.4 million extension despite Hamilton being under contract through 2026.
2. I’d say the two-time Pro Bowl safety recovered nicely from being “fried” by the undrafted Bailey Gaither a few summers ago. There were plenty of silly comments made at the time, but multiple NFL teams surely regret letting Hamilton slide to the Ravens with the 14th overall pick in 2022.
3. While the organization has done a great job extending its own talent recently, Eric DeCosta predicted we’ll “see some good players probably in the next couple of years play for other teams.” This roster’s getting expensive, which is why the likes of Nate Wiggins, Malaki Starks, and Mike Green must excel.
4. The ability to re-sign some combination of Tyler Linderbaum, Isaiah Likely, Mark Andrews, Odafe Oweh, and Travis Jones will largely depend on how easily DeCosta reworks an extension with Lamar Jackson and his $74.5 million cap number for 2026. Unsurprisingly, DeCosta had nothing specific to share about those efforts.
5. All but one player signed to the practice squad finished the summer with Baltimore, and the exception was a very familiar face in Tyler Huntley. While John Harbaugh complimented the growth they’ve seen in the sixth-year quarterback, his return said much more about the lack of development in Devin Leary.
Ravens practice squad pic.twitter.com/D23awrGSu9
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6. DeCosta confirmed Baltimore knew Emery Jones Jr. needed shoulder surgery and said that took place shortly after the combine. While the third-round offensive lineman out of LSU should begin practicing later this fall, it’s difficult envisioning even a meaningful backup role in 2025 after missing the entire spring and summer.
7. By the time players reconvene in Owings Mills on Monday, Jaire Alexander will have not practiced in over three weeks. While the Ravens are smart to be cautious, it’s fair to wonder how his knee will respond to getting back to football, especially returning during a game week.
8. Though a group interview session is a very limited snapshot, it easily reinforced how impressed the Ravens have been with their three undrafted rookies as young men in addition to their play on the field to earn 53-man roster spots. They seem very easy to root for.
9. While Jay Higgins was highly regarded as an all-Big Ten linebacker at Iowa and Reuben Lowery didn’t wait long after the draft before the Ravens came calling, Keyon Martin had to try out at rookie minicamp before eventually being signed in mid-May. That’s quite the path to a roster spot.
10. Though three members of the 11-man draft class landed on reserve lists, Garrett Dellinger was the only one to be waived before signing to Cleveland’s practice squad. The seventh-round guard never escaped the third-string offensive line, so perhaps he sees an easier path to a roster spot with the Browns.
11. I was happy to see Malik Hamm re-sign to the practice squad. Despite making the 53-man roster as an undrafted rookie two summers ago, the 25-year-old Baltimore native has yet to make his NFL debut because of ankle and knee injuries. Hopefully, he can stay healthy and continue his development.
12. For all the fun over projecting the 53-man roster, sweating waiver claims, and forming the practice squad, we probably won’t mention some of these names for the remainder of 2025. The focus quickly shifts to a Week 1 trip to Buffalo and the long journey to January. Enjoy the ride.
