There were many insightful lessons to be learned from the Baltimore Ravens’ 30-7 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Saturday afternoon in the final week of the 2024 preseason.
With a handful of spots and several key positions up for grabs, the team has received further clues as to who the favorites should be, who they can rely on, and who may not be able to meet their needs.
Here are seven of the key takeaways from Saturday’s one-sided friendly defeat.
Trenton Simpson proves his ability to master every down
Simpson played much more and longer than expected in this game, as he will have a larger role in the regular season. He also put on another performance in this longer game, showing that he will take Patrick Queen’s place, with two-time All-Pro Roquan Smith next.
Simpson made several impressive plays all over the field, displaying the complete and versatile skills of a premier off-ball linebacker. He was the team’s second-leading tackler (6), recorded a quarterback hit, deflected a pass and intercepted another.
Josh Johnson continues to inspire confidence as primary backup
Although the veteran migrant worker couldn’t boast a perfect completion percentage like last week, his performance in what will hopefully be the last extended action of the year was still impressive. He led the Ravens’ only scoring drive of the entire game and proved once again how well he can control the offense from clean and muddy pockets. Johnson completed 5 of 7 passes for 71 yards, one touchdown, no interceptions, 10.1 yards per attempt and a passer rating of 143.5, the highest of any signal caller in the game for either team.
After the lackluster, turnover-ridden performance of seventh-round rookie Devin Leary and the limited playing time of undrafted rookie Emory Jones, the Ravens will most likely only carry two quarterbacks into the regular season. Given that neither rookies had promising play in the preseason, both will likely come off waivers and be eligible to rejoin the practice squad if released.
The Ravens’ third running back may not be on the current roster at the start of the season
One of the most unfortunate injury stories to come out of this game is the broken foot of second-year running back Owen Wright, who will have to undergo surgery to repair a hairline fracture. While the setback is not season-ending, he will be out for several weeks, hurting the depth of the Ravens’ backfield as he was expected to play third behind veterans Derrick Henry and Justice Hill.
After a strong training camp and impressive preseason performances on both offense and special teams, the Maryland product was ready to hold down the fort until Keaton Mitchell could return to action. Wright had performed better in both practice and tryouts than fifth-round rookie Rasheen Ali – who missed the final two preseason games due to an injury from the first.
The question is whether the Ravens will automatically give Ali the No. 3 pick. They could keep undrafted rookie Chris Collier, who was decent in the preseason, or veteran John Kelly, who signed two weeks ago. A third possible option could be exploring the market for experienced free agents.
Potential and planned O-line starters remain inconsistent in run blocking
Aside from a miscommunication that created a free blitzer from the left side and resulted in a disastrous strip-sack fumble by Leary, the Ravens’ offensive line’s pass defense was solid for most of the first half. The blocking units consisted of players vying for starting or at least primary backup roles, and while they were able to make a few runs for modest gains, they continued to struggle moving the ball on the ground as a group.
Concerns about the status of the Ravens’ first offensive line after releasing three starters this offseason were and remain the biggest concern from the outside looking in. Even though the players not yet named starters will play alongside two Pro Bowlers, Tyler Linderbaum and Ronnie Stanley, it was concerning to see them unable to compete against backups on the defensive line and do nothing for regular preseason games. A rotation at one or more positions early in the regular season until full-time starting positions are filled could be one course of action.
Tylan Wallace denies job insecurity
Although Wallace has been a key player on the Ravens’ special teams since entering the league, he has had to fight for his spot on the roster over the past two seasons. In both years, he rose to the challenge and proved he can be both an ace on special teams and a playmaker on offense when given the chance.
Against the Packers, Wallace was targeted only once and took full advantage of the opportunity. After catching a pass from Johnson over the middle, he outran the rest of the defense to the corner of the end zone and fired the ball past the pylon for the Ravens’ first and only point of the day.
Wallace finished the preseason with 105 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
Undrafted rookie defenders provide strong closing argument
The season finale is the last audition for players still on the waiting list. For first-year pros who weren’t called on draft day, it means even more. It could be their last chance to prove they belong in the NFL before they enter the professional world or have to try to stay close to the game in another league.
Two undrafted rookies who made the most of their final tryouts were defensive back Beau Brade and outside linebacker Joe Evans. Both players made impressive and impactful plays on defense and special teams.
Brade led the team with eight tackles in Week 2, including seven solos. Meanwhile, Evans brought pressure to both ends of the field, recording two quarterback hits and five tackles.
David Ojabo could make the difference from the outside
After impressing in his return to action last week following a 331-day layoff, Ojabo wasted no time building his confidence and making his presence felt in Green Bay. On the first play of the Packers’ second drive, Ojabo quickly escaped a tight end’s block with a quick dip-and-rip move to put pressure on Packers quarterback Sean Clifford, forcing an incomplete pass.
The 2022 second-round pick has been plagued by injuries in his first two seasons in the league, but is now poised to become a potential difference-maker for a pass-rushing unit that led the league in sacks last season. The Ravens will need many of their younger talents like Ojabo and others to step in after losing three-time Pro Bowler Jadeveon Clowney to free agency in the offseason.
