The Baltimore Ravens made several difficult decisions while constructing their initial 53-man roster. The next challenge will be recovering as many developmental players as possible after Monday’s waiver process. Baltimore waived 28 players and terminated the contracts of five vested veterans. The Ravens can sign 16 players to their standard practice squad and retain a 17th through the International Player Pathway exemption.
Several returning players have already been linked to potential practice squad agreements. Others must first survive the waiver process. Here is Baltimore’s projected group.
Running back
- Jonathan Ward
Ward is expected to return if he remains available. The vested veteran provides immediate insurance behind Derrick Henry, Justice Hill and Rasheen Ali.
His special-teams experience could also make him a frequent candidate for game-day elevation while Adam Randall remains on injured reserve.
Wide receiver
- Chris Moore
- Cornelius Johnson
- Dayton Wade
Moore would give Baltimore an experienced special-teams contributor and reserve receiver. His value goes beyond his offensive statistics, making him a useful veteran for a relatively young receiving corps.
Johnson provides size on the outside and caught a touchdown during the preseason finale. Wade offers quickness and familiarity with the offense after spending the previous two seasons in Baltimore.
Tight end
- Ty Pezza
Pezza showed receiving ability during the preseason and would give the Ravens another developmental option behind Mark Andrews, Durham Smythe, Matt Hibner and Josh Cuevas.
Baltimore carried Pezza in its initial practice squad projection, and nothing about his preseason performance should have changed that interest.
Offensive line
- Gerad Lichtenhan
- Corey Bullock
- Nick Dawkins
Lichtenhan is expected to return if he clears waivers. The 6-foot-8 tackle spent last season developing in Baltimore and competed with Carson Vinson for the swing-tackle position.
Bullock can play guard and center and made Baltimore’s initial 2025 roster. Dawkins would give the Ravens another young center to develop behind Ethan Pocic and Jovaughn Gwyn.
Defensive line
- Rayshaun Benny
- Aaron Graves
Baltimore selected Benny in the seventh round of the 2026 draft. He lost a crowded competition to Aeneas Peebles and veteran John Jenkins, but the Ravens should remain interested in his long-term development.
Graves offers size and versatility after spending the summer competing at multiple spots along the defensive front.
Outside linebacker
- Adisa Isaac
- Kaimon Rucker
Isaac is the largest uncertainty in the projection. The 2024 third-round pick is expected to attract interest after recording six tackles and a sack in the preseason finale.
If Isaac clears waivers, Baltimore should bring him back and continue developing him. Losing him for nothing after two injury-disrupted seasons would close the book on a significant draft investment before the Ravens received a complete evaluation.
Rucker is expected to return if he clears waivers. He already spent his rookie season on Baltimore’s practice squad and could provide depth behind Trey Hendrickson, Zion Young, Mike Green, Tavius Robinson and Ethan Burke.
Inside linebacker
- Dominic DeLuca
DeLuca had a productive first training camp and showed the physicality required to contribute on special teams. Baltimore has only four inside linebackers on its active roster, and Teddye Buchanan is still completing his recovery from a knee injury.
That could make DeLuca a candidate for early-season elevations.
Cornerback
- Robert Longerbeam
- Lardarius Webb Jr.
Longerbeam returned from the injury that cost him the 2025 season and made a legitimate push for a roster spot. His speed and ability to play inside make him a valuable practice squad candidate.
Webb remains a developmental option who improved throughout the summer. His competitiveness and special-teams potential should earn him more time in Baltimore.
Safety
- K’Von Wallace
Wallace is expected to return after being left off the initial roster. As a vested veteran, he is not subject to waivers and can sign once the practice squad is established.
His defensive experience and special-teams ability would make him one of Baltimore’s most valuable practice squad players. He could be elevated immediately if an injury affects the four safeties on the active roster.
International Player Pathway designation
- David Olajiga
Olajiga occupied Baltimore’s international practice squad position last season and remains the obvious choice to do so again.
The defensive lineman has made significant progress since beginning his football career, but he still needs development. The exemption allows Baltimore to continue that process without using one of its 16 regular positions.
First players out
- LB Carl Jones Jr.
- S Silas Walters
- CB Marquise Robinson
- RB Dontae McMillan
Jones could replace DeLuca or another defender if one is claimed. Walters and Robinson provide secondary depth, while McMillan would become the leading running back candidate if Ward accepts an opportunity elsewhere.
Isaac is the player most likely to disappear through a waiver claim. Lichtenhan, Benny, and Longerbeam could also attract attention. If Baltimore retains all four, it will have preserved much of the developmental depth that made its final roster decisions so difficult.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Predicting Ravens' 17-player practice squad after 53-man roster cuts
