The Baltimore Ravens will welcome the Philadelphia Eagles to town on Friday night for both teams first games of the 2024 NFL season. The Ravens will be without many of their key starters Friday night as head coach John Harbaugh has already announced the likes of quarterback Lamar Jackson and linebacker Roquan Smith will not play.
Friday night will be a good first test for the Ravens as they look to answer some questions particularly along the offensive line, as the Ravens only return two starters from last year in center Tyler Linderbaum and left tackle Ronnie Stanley.
While it may just be preseason there will be plenty to watch as both teams look to round out there roster heading into the start of the regular season, which is just one month away. With that, here are some notable players to watch Friday night.
Players to Watch:
Quarterback Devin Leary: Rookie sixth-round pick Devin Leary will look to make a name for himself this preseason, and with Lamar Jackson expected to sit for the entirety of the preseason, Leary will have plenty of chances to show why he should be the backup behind Jackson to start the regular season. The Ravens like quarterback Josh Johnson who was with the Ravens last year as the teams QB3, but if Leary can prove he belongs it would not be shocking to see Leary become the backup behind Jackson, sliding Johnson to third on the depth chart.
Wide Receiver Dayton Wade: Undrafted rookie receiver Dayton Wade has quietly been making a name for himself during preseason camp, as he has been a player who continues to make plays when given the opportunity. Much like Leary, Wade will get plenty of opportunities to show what he can do as fellow receivers Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, and Nelson Agholor, locks to make the team, will play very little if at all. Wade path to making the Ravens final 53-man roster as the Ravens are likely to only carry six receiver into the season, but his play offensively as well as what he can do on special teams could push his name closer to that sixth and final receiver spot.
Right Tackle Roger Rosengarten: Another rookie to watch out for, right tackle Roger Rosengarten whom the Ravens selected in the second round of this past Aprils NFL draft. Rosengarten has the makings to be a day one starter for the Ravens at right tackle, but he will need to put on a good showing on Friday night, and perform better in game then he really has thus far through training camp.
Guard/Center Ben Cleveland: Four-year veteran Ben Cleveland is still looking to carve out his role along the Ravens offensive line, and with so many question marks and turnover this season, year four could finally be the year for Cleveland to crack the starting rotation on a permanent bases. While Cleveland is looking to become the Ravens starting right guard in 2024, an injury to starting center Tyler Linderbaum in camp, as given way to Cleveland taking reps at the center position. The Ravens love versatility among their offensive lineman, so if Cleveland can show he can play both center and guard this preseason it will be his starting job to lose come week one.
The post Preview: Ravens Begin Preseason Against Eagles appeared first on Marylandsportsblog.com.