Ravens' undrafted rookie class contains many pass catchers, has local flavor

Original source (on modern site) | Article images: [1] [2] [3] [4]

The Baltimore Ravens' long list of undrafted free-agent success stories includes defensive coordinator Zach Orr, director of player engagement Jameel McClain and several current players, like Justin Tucker, Patrick Ricard, Michael Pierce and Keaton Mitchell.

Undrafted free agency is a process the organization takes very seriously, and for good reason. Acquiring and then developing young and cost-friendly players is a great way to build the back end of the roster and help balance the salary cap. And for the Ravens, the process has yielded annual contributors and occasional Pro Bowl selections.

In 19 of the past 20 years, the Ravens have had at least one undrafted free agent make their season-opening roster. Thirteen players on their current roster started their NFL careers as undrafted free agents.

In connection with Thursday's start of rookie minicamp, Baltimore released its latest rookie free-agent class. Who will be the latest to make the team and have an impact?

We break up the Ravens' undrafted rookie class into three categories:

Staying local

Beau Brade, S, Maryland: The Clarksville, Md., native was expected to be taken relatively early on Day 3 of the draft, but he went undrafted and opted to sign with his hometown team. Brade is an active and aggressive player who had 160 tackles, three interceptions and three forced fumbles over the past two seasons. That the Ravens are thin at safety and Brade has quality special teams experience should help his cause.

Beau Brade's playmaking ability and special teams experience could benefit him as he tries to make Baltimore's 53-man roster. (John Fisher / Getty Images)

Corey Bullock, G, Maryland: Bullock started 11 games last year for the Terps at left guard and received All-Big Ten honorable mention recognition. Before transferring to Maryland, he played four seasons at North Carolina Central, where he was an HBCU All-American. The Accokeek, Md., native is 6-foot-2 and 310 pounds.

Tre Colbert, DL, Maryland: He played his final season in College Park as a graduate student after spending his first four years at Division II Angelo State. A 6-foot-2 and 307-pound defensive tackle, Colbert played in 13 games last year, collecting 27 tackles, three sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He made six starts.

Darrian Dalcourt, C/G, Alabama: Dalcourt was a three-year starter during his five-season run with the Crimson Tide. A Havre de Grace, Md., native, Dalcourt has experience at both guard and center. He's 6-foot-3 and 309 pounds with a strong lower half, but he doesn't have ideal NFL length and dealt with some injuries at Alabama.

Ja'Mion Franklin, DT, Duke: Another Maryland native, Franklin (6-foot-1, 311 pounds) played three seasons at Duke after transferring from Notre Dame. In 50 games, including 26 straight starts to end his career, Franklin had 70 tackles, 8 1/2 tackles for loss, four sacks and two fumble recoveries. The North Caroline High graduate was a Blue Devils captain last year.

Jordan Toles, S, Morgan State: A coveted recruit out of St. Frances Academy in Baltimore, Toles started at LSU before ultimately returning home and finishing his college career at Morgan State. He had 66 tackles, three interceptions and a blocked kick last year and was a semifinalist for the Aeneas Williams Award, given to the top defensive back at an HBCU. Toles is 6-foot-1 and 207 pounds.

Scoop City Newsletter

Free, daily NFL updates direct to your inbox. Sign up

Free, daily NFL updates direct to your inbox. Sign up

Buy

Small(er) programs, big dreams

Jelani Baker, WR, Limestone: The slot receiver caught 75 passes for 1,089 yards and 14 touchdowns for the Saints, who were co-champions last year in the Piedmont Division. He ranked ninth in both receptions and receiving yards in Division II. Baker (6-foot-2, 195 pounds) also returned kicks and punts for Limestone.

Chris Collier, RB, Lock Haven: The 5-foot-10, 203-pound back with 4.5 40 speed got on the NFL's radar following a dynamic final college season in which he was named a Team AFCA D-II All-American and the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year. He rushed for 1,393 yards and 12 touchdowns. He's the first Bald Eagles player to get signed to an NFL roster since 2011.

DeAngelo Hardy, WR, North Central College (Ill.): A 6-foot-1, 208-pound receiver, Hardy was a two-time first-team Division III All-American and won two national championships with the Cardinals. In his career, he had 246 receptions for 4,253 yards and a program-record 58 receiving touchdowns. Twenty of those touchdowns came last season.

Mike Rigerman, TE, Findlay: Rigerman set program records for tight ends, finishing his college career with 1,807 receiving yards and 21 touchdowns. A three-time All-American, Rigerman was named the 2023 Great Midwest Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year following a final college season where he had 59 catches for 793 yards and eight touchdowns. He is 6-foot-2 and 244 pounds.

Darrell Simpson, OT, Tulsa: At 6-foot-6, 335 pounds and with 35 5/8-inch arms, Simpson certainly has the size and length to play on the edge at the next level. An Oklahoma transfer, Simpson started 12 games at right tackle in his final college season. He played in only one game over four years at Oklahoma.

Power 5 prospects

Bump Cooper Jr., CB, Oregon State: Cooper doesn't have great size (5-foot-11, 186 pounds) or speed (4.65 40 time), but he has good ball skills and awareness. He had four interceptions and 22 pass breakups over the past two seasons. A two-time honorable mention All-Pac 12 selection, Cooper's best chance of making the Ravens is standing out on special teams.

Joe Evans, OLB, Iowa: Evans went from an Iowa walk-on to a player ranked fourth in program history with 28 career sacks. He put the exclamation point on a standout college career with a program bowl-game record four-sack performance against Tennessee in the 2024 Citrus Bowl. A former high school quarterback, Evans' athleticism stood out at the Iowa pro day as he ran a 4.67 40-yard dash at 6-foot-2 and 250 pounds and had a 41 1/2-inch vertical leap.

GO DEEPER

2024 NFL best UDFA fits: One undrafted prospect to watch on each roster

Deion Jennings, ILB, Rutgers: Not only was Jennings the Scarlet Knights' leading tackler the past two seasons, but he was named the team's Most Valuable Player in 2022. He posted 251 career tackles, 19 1/2 tackles for loss and 13 pass breakups. A New Jersey native, Jennings is 6 feet, 223 pounds.

Julian Pearl, OT, Illinois: The 6-foot-6, 312-pound offensive lineman was ranked as the 23rd-best tackle in the draft by The Athletic's lead draft analyst Dane Brugler, who projected him to go in the sixth or seventh round. Originally a defensive lineman, Pearl shifted to the offensive side and started 38 games over his final four seasons. He started games at left and right tackle, as well as right guard.

Randen Plattner, LS, Kansas State: Plattner played 62 career games at Kansas State, the second most in program history, and was regarded as one of the top long snappers in the country. In 2022, he was a semifinalist for the Patrick Mannelly Long Snapper of the Year award.

Yvandy Rigby, ILB, Temple: Born in Turks and Caicos, Rigby moved to southern New Jersey and was introduced to football in high school. Now 6-foot-1 and 239 pounds, Rigby played in 35 career games at Temple, finishing with 207 tackles, 11 1/2 tackles for loss, four sacks and two forced fumbles. He's an active and physical linebacker.

Tayvion Robinson, WR, Kentucky: After originally starting his college career at Virginia Tech, Robinson transferred to Kentucky and caught 81 passes for 1,049 yards and seven touchdowns over two seasons. Robinson, who is 5-foot-10 and 191 pounds, worked mostly out of the slot at Kentucky, and just under 69 percent of his catches were within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage. He also has punt return experience.

Riley Sharp, TE, Oregon State: Sharp was an all-conference performer and led the Beavers in sacks as an outside linebacker in 2022 before he moved to the other side of the ball for his final college season. He caught seven passes for 113 yards and two touchdowns in his first year as a tight end. The 25-year-old took a two-year church mission before playing college football.

GO DEEPER

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

Dayton Wade, WR, Mississippi: Injuries slowed Wade while at Western Kentucky, but he transferred to Ole Miss and was a playmaker for Lane Kiffin. Despite being just 5-foot-9, 176 pounds, Wade finished seventh in the SEC last year in receiving yards (830) and receptions (55). He also scored four touchdowns. Wade's size is a concern, but he has 4.45 speed and the ability to make circus catches.

Tramel Walthour, DL, Georgia: He played in 14 games with the Bulldogs last season, starting five of them. In five college seasons, Walthour had 49 tackles, 2 1/2 tackles for loss and two sacks. He was part of two national championship teams at Georgia. The 6-foot-3, 273-pound defensive end is considered a solid run stopper.

Isaiah Washington, WR, Rutgers: Washington started all 13 games for Rutgers last season and finished second on the team with 25 catches to go with 321 receiving yards and a touchdown. In parts of five seasons with the Scarlet Knights, he had 74 catches for 927 yards and three touchdowns. He's 6-foot-2, 206 pounds and clocked a 4.59 in the 40.

(Top photo of Tayvion Robinson: Carly Mackler / Getty Images)