The Baltimore Ravens open the 2024 NFL regular season at the Kansas City Chiefs on Sept. 5 at Arrowhead Stadium.
One of the bigger questions is whether the Ravens will stick with 38-year-old journeyman Josh Johnson as Lamar Jackson's primary backup or will they look to upgrade. Johnson has had an up-and-down summer, but coach John Harbaugh has never wavered in his support of him.
The roster will be cut to 53 players by 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday. Here is a projection for the Ravens:
QUARTERBACK (2): Lamar Jackson, Josh Johnson
Johnson, who replaced Tyler Huntley as the Ravens' No. 2 quarterback this offseason, has had an up-and-down training camp and preseason. The Ravens insist they're fine with Johnson being the primary backup because of how he runs the offense and manages the game. Baltimore will look to get Devin Leary, a developmental rookie sixth-round pick, on the practice squad.
RUNNING BACK (4): Derrick Henry, Justice Hill, Rasheen Ali, Patrick Ricard (FB)
Owen Wright, who has been the team's third-best back, was carted off the field in the preseason finale with a broken foot. Ali, a rookie fifth-round pick, should have the edge for the No. 3 running back spot but he hasn't had extensive work in the preseason since Week 1. Could Baltimore ultimately only carry two tailbacks? Keaton Mitchell will start the season on injured reserve after tearing his ACL toward the end of last season, and there is hope he could return as early as November.
WIDE RECEIVER (6): Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, Nelson Agholor, Devontez Walker, Tylan Wallace, Deonte Harty
It feels risky to only go with this many receivers because Bateman and Walker have dealt with injuries throughout training camp. The Ravens can have added insurance if they keep recently added targets, Russell Gage and Anthony Miller, on the practice squad. Harty has missed a lot of practice time in the spring and in training camp, but he's still expected to be the return specialist.
TIGHT END (3): Mark Andrews, Isaiah Likely, Charlie Kolar
The Ravens return their top three tight ends from last season, including a healthy Andrews, a three-time Pro Bowl player who was sidelined for seven games with a severe ankle injury. One of the most interesting storylines is whether Qadir Ismail, the son of the Ravens' Super Bowl XXXV champion Qadry Ismail, makes the practice squad after a strong push this summer.
OFFENSIVE LINE (10): Ronnie Stanley, Tyler Linderbaum, Patrick Mekari, Daniel Faalele, Andrew Vorhees, Josh Jones, Roger Rosengarten, Ben Cleveland, Nick Samac, Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu
There are eight locks here in Stanley, Linderbaum, Mekari, Faalele, Vorhees, Jones, Rosengarten and Cleveland. The lower leg injury to Samac, a rookie seventh-round pick who was carted off the field in the preseason finale, could impact his status. It wouldn't be surprising if the Ravens add an experienced blocker or two from other teams' cutdowns to bolster this group.
DEFENSIVE LINE (5): Justin Madubuike, Michael Pierce, Travis Jones, Brent Urban, Broderick Washington
The Ravens bring back their top five linemen from last year. The only change could be Jones getting increased playing time. A third-round pick from the 2022 draft, Jones looks like Baltimore's next breakout player.
OUTSIDE LINEBACKER (6): Odafe Oweh, Kyle Van Noy, David Ojabo, Malik Harrison, Adisa Isaac, Tavius Robinson
This is the Ravens' biggest question mark. Only Oweh and Van Noy are proven pass rushers. Baltimore is relying on Ojabo to stay healthy for the first time in his three-year career. The Ravens' level of concern here can be gauged by whether they sign an experienced edge rusher before the opener.
INSIDE LINEBACKER (3): Roquan Smith, Trenton Simpson, Chris Board
Simpson has had an impressive training camp and preseason, showing he's more than ready to replace Pro Bowl linebacker Patrick Queen. Board is a core special teams player. Josh Ross, who is on the bubble, is another quality special teams player who can be elevated off the practice squad.
CORNERBACK (6): Marlon Humphrey, Brandon Stephens, Nate Wiggins, Jalyn Armour-Davis, T.J. Tampa, Damarion Williams
The Ravens keep a sixth corner because of their history of injuries at this position. Ka'dar Hollman is a solid special teams player who could start off the season on the practice squad. Arthur Maulet, a valuable slot corner, is expected to start the season on injured reserve after having arthroscopic knee surgery this month and could return in October.
SAFETY (5): Kyle Hamilton, Marcus Williams, Eddie Jackson, Ar'Darius Washington, Sanoussi Kane
Jackson is the No. 3 safety behind Hamilton and Williams. Washington, who is versatile and can line up in the slot, has played his way off the bubble with a strong training camp. Kane, a rookie seventh-round pick, lands one of the final roster spots because of what he brings to special teams.
SPECIALISTS (3): Justin Tucker (K), Jordan Stout (P), Nick Moore (LS)
The Ravens have some decisions to make with their coverage teams on special teams and perhaps at returner, but they are set with their specialists. Moore, who missed last season with an Achilles injury, is back and has returned to form.