Projecting an NFL practice squad is more complicated than predicting the initial 53-man roster. Players without sufficient accrued service must clear waivers before returning; veterans can consider offers from other teams, and Baltimore could use some spots on players released elsewhere.
The Ravens’ 24-7 preseason win over the Philadelphia Eagles provided the first significant evaluation of several players competing for jobs. Baltimore accumulated 440 yards and 31 first downs while nearly pitching a shutout, allowing young players on both sides of the football to strengthen their cases.
Several impressive performers will make the 53-man roster. Others could remain in Baltimore as members of the 16-player practice squad. Here is our first projection following the preseason opener.
QB Joe Fagnano
Fagnano produced one of Baltimore’s best performances against Philadelphia, completing 22 of 28 passes for 224 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He operated the offense efficiently and displayed the poise required from a developmental quarterback.
Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley are established at the top of the depth chart, making the practice squad Fagnano’s most logical destination. His performance increased the likelihood that another team would submit a waiver claim, but Baltimore should attempt to continue developing him.
RB Elijah Tau-Tolliver
Tau-Tolliver rushed 10 times for 42 yards and caught two passes for 14 yards against the Eagles. He displayed patience, vision and enough power to remain productive despite limited running room.
Derrick Henry, Justice Hill, Rasheen Ali and fifth-round pick Adam Randall have the advantage in the competition for active-roster spots. Tau-Tolliver would provide Baltimore with a developmental runner who could be promoted if injuries affect the backfield.
WR Dayton Wade
Wade caught three passes for 24 yards and handled a punt return during the preseason opener. He has spent enough time in Baltimore’s system to offer familiarity while continuing to develop as a receiver.
Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, Ja’Kobi Lane, Elijah Sarratt and Devontez Walker are positioned to make the roster. LaJohntay Wester’s return ability gives him another advantage, leaving Wade as a strong candidate to remain on the practice squad.
WR Xavier Guillory
Guillory caught two passes for 26 yards against Philadelphia and offers an appealing combination of size and developmental potential. His night also included the end-zone target that Kelee Ringo intercepted before halftime.
Baltimore’s young receiver depth will create difficult decisions. Guillory may not have a clear path to the initial roster, but his 6-foot-2, 210-pound frame gives the Ravens a different type of receiver to continue developing.
TE Josh Cuevas
Cuevas caught an 11-yard pass in the opener after receiving extended opportunities throughout training camp. His ability as a receiver and potential special-teams contributor keep him in the competition behind Mark Andrews, Durham Smythe and Matt Hibner.
Hibner’s five-catch, 61-yard performance strengthened his position on the active roster. If the Ravens keep three tight ends, Cuevas would be one of the team’s highest-priority practice-squad candidates.
TE Ty Pezza
Pezza made the most of his limited opportunities by catching two passes for 22 yards, including a 19-yard reception. His background as a hybrid tight end and receiver gives Baltimore a developmental player capable of working in multiple alignments.
There may not be room for both Pezza and Cuevas on the 53-man roster, but the practice squad provides space to retain both. Pezza could also contribute to the scout-team offense and develop as a special-teams option.
OT Diego Pounds
Quality offensive tackle depth is difficult to find, making Pounds an obvious developmental candidate. The 6-foot-6, 335-pound rookie entered the opener late and worked at left tackle.
Pounds needs time to improve his technique and adjust to NFL pass rushers, but his size cannot be taught. Baltimore’s uncertainty behind Ronnie Stanley and Roger Rosengarten creates a strong argument for keeping another young tackle in the building.
G Evan Beerntsen
Beerntsen faces significant competition in an interior offensive line room that includes Vega Ioane, John Simpson, Andrew Vorhees, Emery Jones Jr. and several center candidates. The seventh-round pick may have difficulty earning an immediate game-day role.
Baltimore drafted Beerntsen because of his toughness and developmental traits. Allowing him to spend a season improving his strength and technique on the practice squad would protect that investment.
C Nick Dawkins
The Ravens have spent training camp evaluating Ethan Pocic, Danny Pinter and Jovaughn Gwyn at center. That competition leaves Dawkins facing a difficult path to the active roster despite the value of developing a natural center.
Dawkins can work behind Baltimore’s veteran options without being rushed into action. He would also give the Ravens an emergency practice-squad replacement capable of handling the communication responsibilities required at the position.
DL Rayshaun Benny
Benny entered a defensive line room containing Nnamdi Madubuike, Travis Jones, Calais Campbell, Broderick Washington Jr., Aeneas Peebles and John Jenkins. That depth could push the seventh-round pick off the initial roster.
The former Michigan defensive lineman offers length and the ability to play multiple techniques. Baltimore should be interested in giving Benny a full developmental season rather than expecting him to crack an experienced rotation immediately.
DL C.J. Okoye
Okoye remains one of Baltimore’s most physically imposing developmental players at 6-foot-6 and 365 pounds. He has previous regular-season experience and can provide emergency depth at nose tackle.
The Ravens may not have space for three players whose primary value comes against the interior running game. Okoye’s familiarity with the organization and continued development make him a logical candidate to return if he clears waivers.
OLB Ethan Burke
Baltimore’s outside linebacker depth makes Burke’s path to the 53-man roster especially difficult. Trey Hendrickson, Mike Green, Tavius Robinson, Kaimon Rucker, Adisa Isaac and rookie Zion Young are all competing for roles.
Burke’s 6-foot-6, 267-pound frame gives the Ravens something worth developing. He can spend a season improving his pass-rush plan, functional strength and special-teams value without being forced into the defensive rotation.
ILB Dominic DeLuca
DeLuca started the preseason opener alongside Jay Higgins IV and gained valuable experience operating Baltimore’s defense. His instincts and physical approach fit what the Ravens traditionally value at inside linebacker.
Roquan Smith, Teddye Buchanan and Trenton Simpson are established, while Higgins has already demonstrated his value on defense and special teams. DeLuca could become another developmental linebacker who could be elevated for special-teams assignments.
CB Robert Longerbeam
Longerbeam started against Philadelphia and received an extended opportunity with Nate Wiggins and Marlon Humphrey sidelined. He has enough experience in Baltimore’s system to provide emergency outside-cornerback depth.
T.J. Tampa, Keyon Martin, Bilhal Kone and Chandler Rivers are among the players competing for reserve jobs behind the established veterans. If Longerbeam falls short of the initial roster, Baltimore should attempt to retain him.
CB Amani Oruwariye
Oruwariye offers something most of the projected practice squad lacks: extensive NFL experience. The veteran has appeared in 70 regular-season games and could provide immediate help if injuries affect the secondary.
Practice squads can include veterans, allowing Baltimore to keep an experienced outside cornerback available without using a spot on the initial roster. Oruwariye would also provide a valuable resource for the younger defensive backs.
S Silas Walters
Walters faces an uphill battle in a safety room led by Kyle Hamilton, Malaki Starks and Jaylinn Hawkins. Keondre Jackson and K’Von Wallace also offer experience and special-teams value.
The undrafted rookie has the size and athleticism to develop into a versatile safety and special-teams contributor. Baltimore has consistently used its practice squad to develop defensive backs, making Walters a strong candidate for the final spot.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Predicting Ravens’ 16-player practice squad after preseason opener