Ravens post-draft depth chart: Interesting decisions await at guard, outside linebacker

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Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta was only about 20 minutes removed from calling Purdue safety Sanoussi Kane and informing him that he was being selected in the seventh round when he already started looking ahead.

There was an undrafted free-agent class to sign. Another wave of unrestricted free agency — albeit a much smaller and less notable one — would arrive in a few days with teams looking to fill post-draft holes and the compensatory formula no longer applicable.

"I think you can always do better in different ways," DeCosta said when asked whether the team checked off the necessary boxes with its nine-player draft class. "We're not finished for sure. I'm not going to sit up here today and say, 'Oh, the team is set. We've got this great team.' We have a lot of work to do, and there's a lot of different ways to do that. We have a lot of different opportunities between now and September to build the team."

The Ravens' 90-man roster will be under construction for the next several months. There are still 21 openings, although most, if not all, will be filled later this week when the team announces its undrafted free-agent class during rookie minicamp, which starts Friday. The Ravens also traditionally do some back-end roster tinkering following the minicamp, potentially signing a few tryout players.

Then, there will be the occasional roster moves up until the start of training camp in late July. It's a fluid situation, but this is a projected post-draft depth chart as of today.

(Note: Rookies are in bold. Also, pending members of the undrafted free-agency class aren't included because their deals won't be official until they pass physicals and sign contracts. Oftentimes, the team's official list of undrafted free-agent signings differs slightly from the initial reports.)

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Quarterback

1. Lamar Jackson

2. Josh Johnson

3. Devin Leary

4. Malik Cunningham

Ravens coach John Harbaugh reiterated following the draft that Johnson is his No. 2 quarterback. He said that Leary, the rookie sixth-round pick, will "probably be the third quarterback this year in some way or fashion and grow into the job as we go." Cunningham, who the Ravens signed off the New England Patriots' practice squad in December, probably has time to change the coaching staff's mind. However, the Ravens have been noncommittal about their plans for him.

Running back

1. Derrick Henry

2. Justice Hill

3. Keaton Mitchell

4. Rasheen Ali 

5. Owen Wright

With Mitchell's status uncertain, at least for the start of the 2024 season after sustaining a major knee injury in December, Ali should get plenty of reps in the preseason. The fifth-round pick is a decisive runner, but he'll need to show he left his ball security issues at Marshall. If Mitchell is ready for Week 1, the Ravens will likely keep four running backs on the 53-man roster, which is made easier because of Hill's role on special teams.

Wide receiver

1. Zay Flowers

2. Rashod Bateman

3. Nelson Agholor

4. Devontez Walker

5. Deonte Harty

6. Tylan Wallace

7. Sean Ryan

Baltimore's wide receiver depth chart will get far more crowded after the team finalizes its undrafted free-agent class. There is little ambiguity about the top three. Walker, the speedy fourth-round pick with big-play ability, will be in position to earn his snaps this summer. His size and speed combination adds diversity to the Ravens' wide receiver group. The fifth spot will likely be decided by whoever wins the return competition. Harty, who signed with his hometown team earlier this month, is a former Pro Bowl returner — and Wallace did a nice job returning punts last year. There could be room for both, as Wallace has been a trusted special-teamer.

Rookie receiver Devontez Walker, who is 6-foot-3, gives Lamar Jackson another big target in the passing game. (Brett Davis / USA Today)

Tight end/fullback

1. Mark Andrews

2. Isaiah Likely

3. Charlie Kolar

4. Scotty Washington

1. Patrick Ricard (fullback)

Assuming they are all healthy, Andrews, Likely and Kolar will be the team's tight end trio to start the season. Offensive coordinator Todd Monken needs to find a way to get Likely going at the same time as Andrews. Ricard, one of the game's top fullbacks, will continue to have a role on offense. The Ravens will likely sign an undrafted tight end or two to get them through training camp.

Offensive tackle

1. Ronnie Stanley (starting left tackle)

2. Roger Rosengarten (projected starting right tackle)

3. Patrick Mekari

4. Daniel Faalele

When he agreed to a contract alteration this offseason, which included a significant pay cut, Stanley ensured he'd be playing for his future in Baltimore this year. At right tackle, the Ravens aren't in the business of handing rookies starting jobs. Rosengarten, a second-round pick, will likely have to beat out Faalele. Mekari could also enter that mix. However, the veteran is so valuable to the Ravens as the sixth offensive lineman who can come in and play all five positions up front.

Guard

1. Ben Cleveland (projected starting right guard)

2. Andrew Vorhees (projected starting left guard)

3. Josh Jones

4. Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu

5. Tashawn Manning

6. TyKeem Doss

This is where the Ravens have the most uncertainty. They have candidates for the starting jobs, but no locks. Cleveland, a third-round pick in 2021, has played reasonably well in his seven career starts. He may have a slight advantage for one spot. After missing all of last season to rehab a knee injury, Vorhees is said to be recovered and stronger. He was drafted with the idea that he could potentially start in 2024.

A free-agent signing, Jones has plenty of starting experience at guard and tackle, and Harbaugh mentioned Jones' experience on the left side. At the very least, he's a solid insurance policy if Cleveland and Vorhees don't seize the starting spots. That Aumavae-Laulu, a sixth-round pick last year who got starting reps in training camp, didn't get in a single game as a rookie, including in a meaningless Week 18 matchup where the Ravens got a look at other young players, suggests that he's probably a long shot to start.

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Center

1. Tyler Linderbaum

2. Nick Samac

Samac, a seventh-round pick out of Michigan State, is essentially the replacement for Sam Mustipher, who departed in free agency. The Ravens could use Mekari as the backup center, and Cleveland has gotten reps there as well, but there's a good chance they'll be needed elsewhere.

Interior defensive line

1. Justin Madubuike

2. Michael Pierce

3. Broderick Washington

4. Travis Jones

5. Brent Urban

6. Rayshad Nichols

7. Bravvion Roy

This group should look familiar because they were all on the roster or practice squad last year and there have been no new additions, although there will be in undrafted free agency. Madubuike, Pierce, Broderick Washington, Travis Jones and Urban are the likely five for the 53-man roster. Nichols, who has been on the practice squad for the past two years, could enter the conversation with a solid summer.

Outside linebacker

1. Kyle Van Noy

2. Odafe Oweh

3. Malik Harrison

4. David Ojabo

5. Adisa Isaac

6. Tavius Robinson

7. Malik Hamm

Van Noy at strong-side linebacker and Oweh at rush linebacker feel like the way the Ravens will start, but the coaches value Harrison's ability to set a hard edge against the run. He could see some time on early downs with the Ravens mixing and matching in pass-rush situations. Ojabo, Isaac and Robinson will have to earn their snaps in training camp and the preseason. For Ojabo, it will start with him showing that he's healthy. This will be one of the most interesting position groups to watch this summer. The Ravens know what they're getting from Van Noy. Otherwise, there's a lot of unknown here.

Inside linebacker

1. Roquan Smith

2. Trenton Simpson

3. Chris Board

4. Josh Ross

Simpson will enter training camp as the clear favorite to replace Patrick Queen and start alongside Smith. Board, one of the league's better special teams linebackers in the NFL, will likely be the top reserve. Whether the Ravens add another veteran here probably depends on their confidence level in Ross and whether they keep Harrison outside or move him back inside. He can play both. At the very least, they'll need a few more bodies to get through training camp.

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Outside cornerback

1. Marlon Humphrey

2. Brandon Stephens

3. Nate Wiggins

4. T.J. Tampa

5. Jalyn Armour-Davis

6. Ka'dar Hollman

7. Trayvon Mullen

8. Tre Swilling

9. Christian Matthew

No position was strengthened more in the draft than this one. Wiggins and Tampa give the Ravens much-needed cornerback depth on the boundary and the defensive coaching staff more options. Armour-Davis will likely enter training camp on the roster bobble. Hollman was signed partly because of his special teams ability.

Slot cornerback

1. Arthur Maulet

2. Damarion Williams

The Ravens have other options beyond just Maulet and Williams. They could use Stephens and Wiggins on the outside and have Humphrey play the slot. Ar'Darius Washington was playing well in the nickel role last year before his injury. Safety Kyle Hamilton is also used in the slot. The Ravens will find ways to get their best corners on the field.

Safety

1. Kyle Hamilton

2. Marcus Williams

3. Ar'Darius Washington

4. Sanoussi Kane

This is an area where the Ravens could use a solid veteran free agent, and there are plenty available, including Justin Simmons, Micah Hyde, Eddie Jackson, Jayron Kearse and Daryl Worley. Kane is a seventh-round rookie and Ar'Darius Washington, while he played safety in college, is probably better suited for a nickel corner role. If the Ravens are going to move Hamilton around like they did last year, they'll need a trusted No. 3 safety. Marcus Williams has also dealt with some injuries, so quality depth here is imperative.

Specialists

1. Justin Tucker (K)

2. Jordan Stout (P)

3. Nick Moore (LS)

Moore should be ready to go after missing last season with a torn Achilles. In most years, the Ravens bring an extra kicker and/or punter and long snapper to training camp so they don't tax their regular specialists. Kansas State long snapper Randen Plattner is expected to sign as an undrafted free agent.

(Top photo of Odafe Oweh: Ronald Martinez / Getty Images)