The final score was never in doubt, but several roster decisions remained unsettled after the Baltimore Ravens completed their preseason with a 41-3 victory over the Washington Commanders.
Baltimore rested 33 players and devoted most of the evening to evaluating reserves. Some players solidified work completed throughout training camp. Others left the front office with additional questions before the roster is reduced to 53.Here is Baltimore's final preseason stock report.
Stock up: Joe Fagnano
Fagnano completed 19 of 27 passes for 162 yards and a touchdown, ran for another score and posted a 98.1 passer rating. He finished the preseason 56-of-75 for 509 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.
The Ravens can try to move him through waivers and onto the practice
squad, but his performance has made that strategy less comfortable. Fagnano played well enough to warrant consideration as a third quarterback.
Stock up: Adam Randall
Randall produced 70 yards from scrimmage on eight touches, including a 24-yard reception. He averaged 5 yards per carry and looked comfortable as an outlet for Fagnano.
Ali remains a capable special teams contributor, but Randall's combination of size, efficiency and receiving production strengthened his position in the race for the third running back job.
Stock up: LaJohntay Wester
Wester caught both of his targets, including a 10-yard touchdown, and produced a 19-yard punt return. He supplied explosive ability on offense and special teams, two paths that could lead to a roster spot.
Stock up: Kaimon Rucker and Adisa Isaac
Rucker recorded six tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack. Isaac countered with six tackles, one tackle for loss and a fourth-down sack. Neither allowed the other to separate in the competition for a possible fifth outside linebacker spot.
Ethan Burke also remained in the discussion after forcing the fumble that led to Baltimore's second touchdown. The entire group's stock rose, even though the roster math did not improve.
Stock up: Baltimore's young cornerbacks
Robert Longerbeam, Keyon Martin and Lardarius Webb Jr. all produced positive moments. Webb forced a fumble on kickoff coverage and later broke up a pass.
Baltimore's cornerback room has been productive throughout camp. The finale confirmed that the competition is not limited to the final 53-man roster; several candidates are also battling for a limited number of practice-squad spots.
Holding steady: Rasheen Ali
Ali rushed nine times for 28 yards and caught three passes for 18 yards. It was a solid, versatile performance, but Randall was more efficient and produced 24 additional yards from scrimmage.
Ali did not damage his case. He simply may not have done enough to overtake Randall.
Stock down: Tyler Loop
Loop went 2-for-4, making field goals from 51 and 24 yards while missing from 58 and 51. He made all five extra points, but finished the preseason 5-for-8 on field goals.
Baltimore has invested time in Loop, and both misses came from at least 51 yards. Still, a Super Bowl contender cannot enter the season casually at kicker. Loop's performance should lead to an examination of the available alternatives.
Stock down: Austin Reed
Reed completed 3 of 8 passes for 38 yards, one touchdown and one interception. His 20-yard scoring pass to Cornelius Johnson was well placed, but the turnover and 53.1 passer rating reinforced the separation between him and Fagnano.
Stock down: Corey Bullock
Bullock's early sequence included an ineffective block on a screen and an unnecessary roughness penalty. He was also charged with a fumble, although Baltimore retained possession. Reserve offensive line decisions often come down to reliability, and those mistakes arrived at an unfavorable time.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens stock report after 41-3 win over Commanders
