Ravens Training Camp Updates
The NFL Season is just short of a month away. With no preseason games to help identify player roles, football fans are looking for other ways to keep in touch with their favorite team’s progress during training camp and preseason practices. The NFL Training Camp is now in full swing, so we will work to provide you Baltimore Ravens training camp updates.
As you well know, the coronavirus pandemic has affected the NFL preseason drastically. NCAA football programs and conferences have slowly but surely decided to cancel the 2020 college football season, sadly. The coronavirus already had some implications on the Ravens’ early expectations, but now we get to witness changes as Baltimore tries to prepare for the regular season without any exhibition games.
The Baltimore Ravens have started padded practice and already have some big news. So far, there haven’t been any major changes to the 2020 fantasy football rankings but we anticipate some changes as the season progresses.
Injuries
It’s always tough to watch NFL players suffer injuries early in their careers. Sadly, the Ravens have already had to place one person on Injured Reserve (IR). 2019 4th-rounder, Iman Marshall, went down with a torn ACL after an awkward landing and will miss the 2020 NFL season. Thankfully, Marshall was the only Raven to suffer a major injury.
Wide-receiver Chris Moore will miss a few weeks after breaking a finger. Thankfully, this is not a major concern and Moore should be able to return without any major ailment. In better news, Matt Skura passed his physical and will soon be returning after a season-ending knee injury late in 2019.
Brandon Williams and Jaylon Ferguson are also expected to miss a couple days, but nothing significant. Though the Ravens lost Marshall for the season, cornerback happens to be one of Baltimore’s deepest positions. While no injury should go unnoticed, the Ravens should feel fortunate they didn’t lose a key contributor like Gerald McCoy for the Cowboys, who tore his quadriceps tendon and will also miss the season.
Depth Chart
Something to monitor as we endure the next four weeks is the 2020 Baltimore Ravens’ depth chart. This should help give us hints towards which players are climbing into starting positions. Trying to figure out who is the Ravens’ best fantasy player? The depth chart can help. The Ravens haven’t released the official depth chart, but ESPN has provided one for now.
There’s no surprise that the depth chart includes 2020 starters like Lamar Jackson, Mark Ingram, Marquise Brown, Mark Andrews, and Ronnie Stanley. These players are all pivotal towards the Ravens’ success this year. We will need to keep an eye on some positional battles. It’s interesting to note that, according to ESPN, J.K. Dobbins has already eclipsed both Gus Edwards and Justice Hill on the Ravens depth chart.
While we don’t expect any major changes, the injury to Chris Moore could give more opportunity for 2020 draft picks Devin Duvernay and James Proche to earn more playing time. It wouldn’t be impossible for them to sneak in as starters over Willie Snead or Miles Boykin, though we don’t anticipate that. As mentioned in a previous article, the offensive line will have some battles to watch as Skura returns and newcomers battle for a position at right guard.
The defense will be a different story. The positional battles will mostly be within the front seven. The Ravens added some solid starters up front, but their relief will be interesting to watch. What happens when Derek Wolfe, Calais Campbell, and Matthew Judon need rest?
The Ravens’ linebacker room is also relatively new, so we may see some changes there. LJ Fort came in to add some nice production in 2019. Jaylon Ferguson slowly added more playing time and production as a rookie in 2019. Patrick Queen should be a lock as a starter given his draft capital, but you never know.
Winners and Losers
J.K. Dobbins looks good, according to multiple reports. Dobbins was a high-profile NFL Draft prospect and happened to fall to Baltimore despite being predicted as one of the top backs in the draft. He came with great hype and has been consistently displaying why during training camp. You see him with the first-team offense at about 40:00 in the video below.
So far, he has displayed great agility and been compared to a former great runningback in purple, Ray Rice. Dobbins should be climbing his way up the 2020 dynasty rankings, and might make a case to be a fantasy football redraft sleeper.
Ravens training camp early thoughts 2: J.K. Dobbins is a wow. He has explosive lateral movement, vertical burst, and looks silly smooth out of the backfield in the passing game. First round talent that the Ravens nabbed with a second round pick.
— Gerry Sandusky (@GerrySandusky) August 17, 2020
Rookie linebackers have taken the stage. Both Patrick Queen and Malik Harrison are turning heads. Coaches and spectators were impressed with the versatility of both linebackers. There were numerous compliments on the overall speed of the entire defense. The Ravens rookies are living up to expectations.
Ravens first-round pick Patrick Queen sliced through the line to get into the backfield on the first full-team drill. His speed — as well as the speed of the entire Baltimore defense — jumps out at you.
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) August 17, 2020
Miles Boykin and rookie Devin Duvernay should be on their A-game. The Ravens are reportedly hosting Dez Bryant for a workout. There were previous discussions about the Ravens working to please Lamar Jackson with an Antonio Brown signing, prior to his suspension. These young receivers will want to be noticed sooner rather than later if they want the chance to shine.
Here’s #Ravens rookie Devin Duvernay showing off footwork and focus on the sideline. pic.twitter.com/edmcjgbkUg
— Aaron Kasinitz (@AaronKazreports) August 17, 2020
No news came out on Miles Boykin so far this camp, and Duvernay has mostly been redirected towards punt returning duties, behind James Proche. Though it’s encouraging to see both rookies working towards roles on the team, they aren’t as impactful wideouts. As of now, Proche is the man to beat as punt/kick returner.
It does look like the receivers rebounded in a positive way on day two of training camp. Miles Boykin, Devin Duvernay, and Willie Snead were all able to make an impact. Sadly, this doesn’t clear up the Ravens depth chart for WR2, yet.
Lamar Jackson had one of his best training camp practices as a Raven today.
Unofficially, I had him going 24-for-32 over 7-on-7, 11-on-11 and 1-on-1 drills. Miles Boykin, Devin Duvernay and Willie Snead all had strong days out wide.
— Jonas Shaffer (@jonas_shaffer) August 18, 2020
The WR group will be the biggest situation to monitor for fans and fantasy football. As of now, Marquise Brown might be the only safe redraft option for fantasy players. That might bode well for Mark Andrews owners. Andrews has continued to be a safe target for Jackson, according to reports.
📝 RAVENS PRACTICE REPORT
☑️ Lamar Jackson sharp
☑️ Young WRs jump out
☑️ Mark Andrews unguardable
☑️ Queen vs. Dobbins
☑️ Boykin has big day
☑️ Rookie DL disruptive👉 ANALYSIS | @jeffzrebiec https://t.co/2Rfm7nKVHN
— Ken Bradley (@KenBradleyNC) August 18, 2020
Summary
It’s still very early to speculate too much, but we will continue to keep an eye on the developing stories. Whether you’re a die-hard Ravens fan or a fantasy football enthusiast, we want to keep you covered on what’s happening in the Baltimore Ravens’ training camp in 2020. Keep an eye out for updates on positional battles for the Baltimore Ravens.
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