Baltimore Ravens Preseason: Week 2 Stock Report

Now that the Baltimore Ravens have crossed the halfway point of the 2015 NFL preseason, it is time to take another look at which players’ stocks are on the rise and which others' are taking a nosedive. Everyone hopes at this point that all the key players have their arrows all pointing north, but alas, that isn’t always the case.

Obviously, the preseason is such a fluid situation. Depending on when a player gets into a game, the level of competition he could be matched up against can vary a tremendous amount. But regardless of who a player is lined up across from, proper execution is the best bet to try to secure a starting or roster spot.

So with that, let’s look at three guys to buy and two more to sell sell sell as the season approaches.

Unless specified, all player data and stats courtesy of NFL.com.

Stock Up: Carl Davis, DT

Matt Rourke/Associated Press

For all the good and bad of Baltimore’s preseason, there might be no player who has popped off the screen like rookie defensive tackle Carl Davis. Davis was drafted in the third round to help fill the rather expansive void left when Haloti Ngata left via free agency.

Davis has been quite impressive in two games. The Ravens coaches must also be taking notice because Davis saw a bump in reps from the first preseason game to the second. Where Davis really has shined is his ability to manipulate an offensive lineman with his powerful upper body. He keeps his base low and his head up and can work laterally very well.

Here’s a nice look at Davis courtesy of NFL Network producer Ben Fennell:

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pic.twitter.com/Zf0df1Eipy

— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) August 20, 2015"

Stock Down: Lorenzo Taliaferro, RB

Michael Perez/Associated Press

One of the most disappointing pieces of news the Ravens got this offseason was concerning running back Lorenzo Taliaferro. As reported by the Ravens official Twitter, Taliaferro suffered a knee injury that will keep him out of action for several weeks.

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RB Lorenzo Taliaferro has a MCL knee injury that will keep him out a few weeks, per Harbs.

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 24, 2015"

The second-year pro has been in a virtual dead heat with rookie running back Javorius Allen to be the primary backup for Justin Forsett. This injury is going to give Allen two weeks of preseason and probably several more weeks of the regular season to put distance between himself and Taliaferro.

Stock Up: DeAndre Carter, WR

Uncredited/Associated Press

With the continued absences or struggles of wide receivers Breshad Perriman, Marlon Brown and Michael Campanaro, the rest of the Ravens depth chart has been given additional practice and game reps. The wide receiver who appears to have made the most of this increased practice and playing time is DeAndre Carter.

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@_JWEAVE_ DeAndre Carter is looking good. I like his quickness at the line and he can play inside or outside. Has return about also.

— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 15, 2015"

Carter has been the most consistent and productive wide receiver not named Steve Smith on the roster this offseason. Even though the Ravens offense has struggled in the preseason, Carter has been able to lead the team with five receptions for 67 yards.

Stock Down: Lardarius Webb, CB

Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

It really feels like the slide of cornerback Lardarius Webb is a real thing. It is hard to imagine that it wasn’t that long ago that he was one of the fastest-rising young cornerbacks in the league. However, as ESPN reporter Jamison Hensley said, his inability to be available hurts him so much.

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#Ravens' Lardarius Webb hasn't played in preseason game since Aug. 22, 2013. He's missed 7 straight and is dealing with hamstring injury now

— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) August 25, 2015"

The hope was that Webb would pair up with cornerback Jimmy Smith to form one of the top duos in the AFC. After all, this was the first offseason in the past three that Webb entered healthy. Unfortunately, that was short-lived, and the Ravens are back to square one. At some point, all of Webb’s talent isn’t going to outweigh his inability to be a consistent contributor.

Stock Up: Maxx Williams, TE

Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

If the season started tomorrow, tight end Crockett Gillmore would probably be the backup to rookie Maxx Williams, especially in the passing game. Every time I watch Williams I see an improving blocker with athleticism that dwarfs Gillmore.

With so many questions surrounding the wide receiver depth chart and problems with health along the offensive line, quarterback Joe Flacco is going to want a safety valve in the passing game. There’s little doubt Williams has the capacity to be that guy. Plus, how can you go wrong with a guy that can do this?

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.@williams_maxx went with the choke slam tonight. Next former #Gopher to @WWE? https://t.co/ZPH90hPwRi

— Gopher247 (@Gophers247) August 23, 2015"