Baltimore Ravens Week 1 Stock Report

After what has been a seemingly endless offseason, the Baltimore Ravens are finally ready to tee it up and get the regular-season show on the road. The Ravens kick off the regular season by traveling to Denver to take on the Broncos on September 13.

That means it is time for one final Baltimore preseason stock report. It is unfortunate that at this point in the season, anyone has their stock down. However, just like a team can limp into the playoffs, players can limp into the season on the back end of a roster.

On the other hand, there are those guys who weathered the storm, came out on the other side and found a double rainbow. These guys are riding momentum into the season, even if they aren’t going to be starters.

Let’s see whose stock is up and whose stock is down with just days left before game day.

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

Stock Up

Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

Matt Schaub, Quarterback

The battle for the backup quarterback spot was more heated than expected between the veteran Matt Schaub and rookie Bryn Renner. Schaub struggled for the majority of the preseason, as reported by ESPN reporter Jamison Hensley.

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Matt Schaub’s summer-long struggles extend into third preseason game http://t.co/j42s4ZBxHS #Ravens #Texans #Raiders

— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) August 31, 2015"

Meanwhile Renner quietly put together a very solid camp and preseason. Nevertheless, that wasn’t the direction Baltimore chose to go. Is Schaub appreciably better than Renner? It’s hard to say. However, the Ravens decided that the experience of Schaub was more enticing than the value and upside of Renner.

Stock Down

Rob Carr/Getty Images

Asa Jackson, Cornerback

Of all the moves the Ravens made, the release of cornerback/return specialist Asa Jackson might have been the most surprising. When the Ravens reported it via their Twitter account, many fans were genuinely surprised.

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Jah Reid, Asa Jackson, and Jeremy Butler among the players released. FULL LIST: http://t.co/zcZBaug7yH pic.twitter.com/mOV06muuiR

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 5, 2015"

Now, that’s not to say that Jackson had a flawless preseason. Jackson did have some fumbles on kick returns, but that didn’t deter the Ravens from keeping him in there as the primary kick and punt returner. In fact, in his absence, wide receiver Michael Campanaro is the only player on the roster who returned a punt or kick in preseason.

Additionally, Jackson was solid in his coverage opportunities. Nevertheless, the Ravens chose to keep cornerback Rashaan Melvin, who possesses a significant height advantage of four inches.

Stock Up

Matt Hazlett/Getty Images

Crockett Gillmore, TE

Look out for tight end Crockett Gillmore. If you are one of those guys who hasn’t had your fantasy football draft yet, and you want a tip on a sleeper tight end, this is it. Draft Gillmore and be happy with the value you got and elated with the production he is going to get you.

Crockett won the starting job because he is a huge, powerful man with soft hands and the ability to impose his will on defenders when he’s got the football in his hands. Don’t believe me? Then perhaps you need your memory refreshed.

"

Meanwhile, @CrockettG7 has grown man strength pic.twitter.com/C79s6LSlNR

— iHateJJRedick (@iHateJJRedick) September 2, 2015"

Stock Down

Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Chris Canty, Defensive End

First of all, understand that defensive end Chris Canty doesn’t make this list because he’s bad, and he hasn't lost his starting job. Canty is in line to be the starting defensive end in this hybrid 3-4 scheme, and he will likely have a solid season.

No, Canty makes this list because at 32 years old, he has some really talented youngsters nipping at his heels. With Canty only playing in one preseason game, the rest of these guys were able to accumulate plenty of reps.

Baltimore has Lawrence Guy, Carl Davis and Kapron Lewis-Moore chomping at the bit to get on the field. With Timmy Jernigan and Brandon Williams as legitimate young stars on that line, it’s Canty’s spot that will be up for grabs all season long.

Stock Up

Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports

Javorius Allen, Running Back

Last up on this list is rookie running back Javorius Allen. After a strong finish to his career at USC, Allen parlayed that into a fourth-round selection by the Ravens. Now, Allen looks to be lined up to be the primary backup to starter Justin Forsett for at least the first few weeks of the season.

Why should this matter? Because for all his talent, the Ravens are not going to run Forsett into the ground right out of the gate. Even though Forsett rushed for 1,266 yards in his first season as a full-time starter, he is still somewhat unproven as a workhorse. He only averaged 14.7 carries per game in 2014, meaning the Ravens are going to want to get at least 10-12 more touches somewhere.

As of right now, that task is going to fall to Allen. Even though Allen had an inconsistent preseason (35 carries for 88 yards) many of those touches came against starting defenses with backup linemen filling in for injuries.