The Baltimore Ravens have reached the point where projecting most of their initial 53-man roster requires little debate.
Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry, Zay Flowers, Roquan Smith, Kyle Hamilton and Baltimore’s other established players are not part of the conversation. The difficult work involves determining how many players to retain at certain positions and choosing among reserves with similar value. Coach Jesse Minter has acknowledged that Baltimore could use a best-player-available approach with its final roster spots. That means a cornerback may be competing against an outside linebacker, running back or offensive lineman rather than only someone at his position.
Instead of publishing another complete projection, here are the 10 most difficult
decisions facing the Ravens before Sunday’s roster deadline.
1. Should Baltimore carry Joe Fagnano as a third quarterback?
Fagnano has done almost everything possible to earn a place on the roster. He has operated the offense efficiently, protected the football and demonstrated that the preseason stage is not too large for him. The Ravens could still decide that carrying Jackson and Tyler Huntley is enough. Keeping Fagnano would require sacrificing depth elsewhere, but attempting to move him through waivers has become riskier with each productive performance.
Friday’s finale gives Fagnano one more opportunity to make carrying three quarterbacks feel necessary.
2. Can the Ravens afford to keep four running backs?
Henry and Justice Hill are secure. The decision involves Rasheen Ali and rookie Adam Randall, both of whom have missed preseason time due to minor physical issues. li offers experience on special teams and in the return game. Randall provides size, receiving ability and long-term developmental potential after converting from wide receiver.
Baltimore may want to retain both, particularly since Henry and Hill are veterans. The challenge is finding enough touches and game-day roles to justify using four roster spots at running back.
3. Does Baltimore need four tight ends or a fullback?
Mark Andrews and Durham Smythe are established, while rookies Matt Hibner and Josh Cuevas have produced encouraging moments during the preseason. Hibner led Baltimore with five catches for 61 yards in the opener. Cuevas responded with three receptions for 46 yards against Minnesota. Both have presented strong arguments for roster spots.
The complication is whether Baltimore also wants a traditional fullback. Lucas Scott’s blocking and special-teams value could be useful, but keeping him alongside four tight ends would require five roster spots for players with overlapping responsibilities.
4. Who earns the final offensive line spot?
Pinter’s season-ending knee injury increased the importance of interior depth. Ethan Pocic and Jovaughn Gwyn are competing at center, and Baltimore may need to retain both regardless of who wins the starting job.
Ronnie Stanley, John Simpson, Vega Ioane, Roger Rosengarten, Emery Jones Jr. and Carson Vinson form the foundation of the group. That leaves Andrew Vorhees, Corey Bullock, Gerad Lichtenhan and other reserves competing for limited space. Vorhees offers starting experience. Bullock provides center-guard versatility, while Lichtenhan offers developmental value at tackle. Baltimore must balance immediate reliability against long-term upside.
5. How will the Ravens handle Nnamdi Madubuike’s status?
Madubuike has progressed to individual drills since returning from a neck injury, but he has not participated in full team periods. The Ravens must determine whether the two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle has enough time to prepare for the regular-season opener. If not, they must decide how to manage his roster status while preserving the ability to bring him back when he is ready.
The decision affects more than Madubuike. Any roster spot temporarily created by his absence could allow Baltimore to retain another defensive lineman, cornerback or special-teams contributor.
6. Which defensive linemen survive the numbers?
Travis Jones, Calais Campbell and Broderick Washington have established roles. Madubuike’s availability could determine how many additional linemen Baltimore keeps. Aeneas Peebles has consistently created penetration and appears close to securing a spot. Veteran John Jenkins offers proven run defense, while Rayshaun Benny and C.J. Okoye provide younger developmental options. The Ravens must decide whether they value Jenkins’ immediate reliability or the risk of losing a younger player with greater long-term upside. Friday’s game could significantly affect that calculation.
7. Ethan Burke or Adisa Isaac at outside linebacker?
Burke has become one of Baltimore’s most compelling undrafted rookies. His sack and forced fumble against Minnesota provided production to support an impressive summer. Isaac remains a more complicated evaluation. The Ravens selected him in the third round in 2024, but injuries have prevented him from establishing a consistent role during his first two seasons.
Burke has produced more this summer. Isaac carries draft pedigree and may be more difficult to move through waivers. Their performances on special teams could decide which player becomes Baltimore’s fifth outside linebacker.
8. How many inside linebackers does Baltimore need?
Roquan Smith, Trenton Simpson and Teddye Buchanan lead the group, although Buchanan is still returning from a torn ACL. His readiness could force Baltimore to carry additional short-term depth. Higgins has helped himself throughout the preseason and appears to have the strongest claim among the reserves. Dominic DeLuca, Carl Jones Jr. and recently signed Michael Barrett are also competing for consideration.
The Ravens must determine whether keeping a fifth inside linebacker is necessary or whether that player can be moved to the practice squad and elevated when needed.
9. Can Baltimore keep all of its young cornerbacks?
Cornerback may produce Baltimore’s most painful cuts. Wiggins, Humphrey and Awuzie are established. Tampa and Rivers also appear to have strong cases for the roster. Martin has made splash plays throughout the summer, while Kone offers length and outside coverage ability. That already brings the potential total to seven before considering Longerbeam and the remaining reserves.
Keeping seven cornerbacks is possible. Keeping eight would require Baltimore to go lighter elsewhere. The danger is that any young cornerback released could attract immediate interest on waivers.
10. Is a fifth safety more valuable than another player elsewhere?
Hamilton, Starks and Hawkins will have major defensive roles. Keondre Jackson has strengthened his case for the roster with impact plays on defense and special teams. The final question is whether Baltimore needs another safety behind them. Wallace provides veteran experience and would not have to clear waivers before potentially joining the practice squad. Walters helped himself with an interception against Minnesota but still faces difficult numbers.
A fifth safety must contribute extensively on special teams to justify the roster spot. Baltimore could instead use that opening for another cornerback, linebacker or defensive lineman, making this one of the decisions most likely to extend beyond Friday’s finale.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: The 10 toughest decisions in Ravens’ 53-man roster
