2008 Baltimore Ravens: Projected 53 man roster and position battles

John BishopJun 24, 2008

2008 Baltimore Ravens

QB Kyle Boller
QB (R) Joe Flacco
QB Troy Smith

Boller will be given the chance to take the reigns as the starter, but alot depends on the progress of first round pick Joe Flacco from Delaware. So far things are going very well and if it continues Boller may once again wind up as the number two QB. 3rd string QB ex-Heisman winner Troy Smith could be one of the best 3rd string QB's in the league.
Fantasy outlook : I seriously doubt if taking either Boller or Flacco will help win your fantasy league until this offensive line is figured out and someone steps up at WR besides Derrick Mason.

RB Willis McGahee
FB LeRon McClain
RB (R)Ray Rice
RB Cory Ross
RB (R)Allen Patrick

McGahee could have his best season yet, as I would expect an increase in his receptions in 2008. Whether Flacco or Boller, the offensive line is not as good as it used to be, and he can be a good option under pressure. Rookie, Ray Rice, could be good enough to earn a starting spot on alot of NFL teams. Here he should still see some time spelling McGahee and could be a sleeper if he can show some ability to make plays catching the football. The only thing that may keep him from becoming the next Maurice Jones-Drew will be the presence of WR Derrick Mason and TE Todd Heap. Cory Ross should get some competition for the next RB spot from rookie Allen Patrick. FB LeRon McClain has proven to be as good as most starting NFL Fullbacks.
Fantasy outlook : McGahee is first to second round material. Rice could be a nice pickup late in the draft and could move up the draft board depending on his role this season.

WR Derrick Mason
WR Mark Clayton
WR Demetrius Williams
WR Yamon Figurs
WR (R)Marcus Smith

Derrick Mason just continues to produce and is a solid number one WR. The question is when can Mark Clayton join him? I couldn't believe how high some of those "fantasy draft experts" had him ranked last season. He may not be bad but if he can finally step up his game this whole offense will reap the benefits. Second year player Yamon Figurs is a dangerous return man but still needs to develop into becoming a consistent number three WR. Until then Demetrius Williams will likely remain the number three threat and must pick up his game as well. Rookie, Marcus Smith, should be the number five but will get stiff competition from fellow rookie Justin Harper. How far up the depth chart can either one of them move? We shall see.
Fantasy outlook : Mason will be a good number two WR if he is still available when you need him. Let someone else take a chance on Clayton.

TE Todd Heap
TE Daniel Wilcox
TE Lee Vickers

If Todd Heap is healthy, he is among the top Tight Ends in the league. Although he may see some looks disappear to the likes of Ray Rice and backup TE Daniel Wilcox,who himself can make some plays but has to stay on the field, especially since TE Quinn Sypniewski is already out for the season. That should open up the third TE spot for Lee Vickers.
Fantasy outlook : Heap should be a consistent contributor to your fantasy team as long as his injuries don't persist.

C Jason Brown
C/G Chris Chester
G Ben Grubbs
T (R)David Hale
T Adam Terry
OL (R) Oniel Cousins
T/G Marshall Yanda
T Jared Gaither
T/LS Mike Kracilik
G Adrien Clarke

Jason Brown should start at center, Chris Chester may be better at guard but could have to start at center if Brown experiences any problems. Ben Grubbs is in his second year and is a solid starting guard as well. If rookie Oniel Cousins can emerge into a starting NFL guard then the move for Chester won't be too bad. If he doesn't though then that would likely mean ex-Jet Adrien Clarke will get the start. Second year lineman, Marshall Yanda will have a shot to play guard, but he may be trying to make an impact at tackle as well, as Jonathon Ogden is retiring. That would leave Adam Terry as the only proven starter and Yanda would have to compete with second year player Jared Gaither and rookie, David Hale to start somewhere on the line. Tackle/long snapper, Mike Kracalik could be in the mix as well. As it stands right now, this preseason will be big, because this offensive line is a mess.

K Matt Stover

DE Trevor Pryce
DE/LB Jarrett Johnson
DE/LB Terell Suggs
DT Haloti Ngata
DT Dwan Edwards
DT Justin Bannan
DT Kelly Gregg

Suggs is a bonafide starter along with Trevor Pryce, while Johnson is productive being shuffled in and out. Ngata is quickly becoming a very good D-Tackle, and Kelly Gregg is underrated and equally as good. Edwards is not far behind though. Justin Bannan will find some playing time after those three.

LB Ray Lewis
LB Bart Scott
LB Antwan Barnes
LB/DE Gary Stills
LB Nick Griesen
LB Tavares Gooden
LB Brendon Ayanbedejo
LB/DE Dan Cody
LB Prescott Burgess

Ray Lewis is Ray Lewis, I don't care how many years he plays! Bart Scott didn't have a great year in 2007, but is still a pretty good LB. The big battle in camp this year will probably be for the other Linebacker spot(s). Antwan Barnes needs to show improvement from his rookie season and will be challenged by rookie Tavares Gooden as well as vets, Nick Griesen and Gary Stills, for playing time. Dan Cody will have to prove he can stay healthy as it will be a free for all for the final roster spot here with Cody battling second year player Prescott Burgess, veteran, Brandon Ayanbedejo,Linebacker/D-line, Edgar Jones,Robert McCune, and rookie free agent Linebacker Jameel McClain to see who will make the final cut.

CB Chris McAlister
CB Samari Rolle
CB Cory Ivy
CB Fabian Washington
CB Derrick Martin

Chris McAlister will still be one of the best corners in the league. Samari Rolle is also still pretty good but could be challenged by Ivy, Washington, or even Martin for the other starting corner. This should be an interesting camp for the Ravens to say the least.

S Ed Reed
S Dawan Landry
DB Ronnie Prude
S (R)Tom Zbikowski

Reed will once again dominate at one safety with Dawan Landry starting on the other side. The battle here will be who makes the team and who gets playing time out of veteran, Ronnie Prude, and rookies, Tom Zbikowski and Haruki Nakamura.

P Sam Koch

Fantasy picks: RB Willis McGahee,WR Derrick Mason,RB Ray Rice,TE Todd Heap. McGahee will again be a first or second round pick, and should have a good season. Mason should be gone around the middle to latter part of the draft, at which point some consideration should be considered for rookie RB Ray Rice. TE Todd Heap is a nice pickup late, just don't overreach as his health is still a question.