The Baltimore Ravens are just one game away from real football. Tonight at 6 p.m. ET, they will take on the Washington Commanders in their preseason finale with 53-man roster cuts due just 48 hours later. Here are the team’s biggest remaining questions heading into today’s game:
Will a starting center emerge?
A season-ending injury to Danny Pinter turned the Ravens’ starting center competition into a two-man race between Jovaughn Gwyn and Ethan Pocic. The former has been praised for his athleticism, while the latter brings experience
and leadership that could be valuable in a new offensive scheme.
The battle is neck-and-neck. The division of reps tonight will be a key marker, as Pocic’s ramp-up from last season’s Achilles tear has limited his time with his potential fellow starters. If Gwyn still gets all of the first-team snaps, he likely has the job sewn up. But the Ravens could mix Pocic in with the first team, indicating the competition is still undecided, or even start him outright, suggesting he has surged ahead.
Can an undrafted rookie make the 53-man roster?
The Ravens historically retain at least one undrafted rookie on their 53-man roster. Last year, they kept three. But with two of those players returning and plenty of depth across the squad, there may not be room this time around. Outside linebacker Ethan Burke, offensive tackle Diego Pounds, and quarterback Joe Fagnano have all made strong cases, but will the Ravens move on from Adisa Isaac, Carson Vinson, or another player to accommodate them?
All three of those players have already stood out in the preseason, so it might take an undeniable performance tonight vs. the Commanders to secure a roster spot.
How will the Ravens pick from their defensive line depth?
The Ravens have two moral locks at defensive tackle: Travis Jones and Calais Campbell. Broderick Washington could be a trade candidate but is otherwise guaranteed a place. Nnamdi Madubuike is somewhat of an X-factor, as his gradual ramp-up from last year’s neck injury could land him on injured reserve to start the regular season.
Then there’s the depth. 2025 sixth-round pick Aeneas Peebles has flashed in the preseason and likely earned his place. One of John Jenkins and C.J. Okoye will take a roster spot as the backup nose tackle. The other will still have a case, as does seventh-round pick Rayshaun Benny. And then there’s David Olajiga, Aaron Graves, and Dion Wilson, who have all popped at different times this summer.
Baltimore typically carries five defensive linemen, but depending on Madubuike’s status, there might be a case for six. That could lead the team to carry 26 defenders rather than their usual 25-25-3 offense-defense-special teams split, something Jesse Minter hinted was a possibility this week.
