Ravens Stock Report: 7 up, 6 down after OTAs

Media available organized team activities concluded on Thursday for the Baltimore Ravens. After a few weeks of practices, though some were unpadded, helmet-absent workouts, a few things can be gleaned. Some players started off on the right foot and showed they’re prepared for competition now and in the months to follow. Others have not been as fortunate, be it in performance or things outside their control. Here’s a “not to be taken too seriously” stock report.

Stock Up

Malik Cunningham, wide receiver

This was about as good a start Cunningham could have this offseason.

Last season, Cunningham was unofficially moved from quarterback. He still wore the QB non-contact jersey and was listed as a quarterback, but participated in wide receiver and special teams drills. This year, a week into OTAs, Cunningham’s change was official, both in jersey color and on the official roster.

Last season, there were clunky elements to Cunningham’s practices. Not really by fault of his own, seeing as he was moved to wide receiver and a smooth transition is all but impossible in such a short time frame. During OTAs, confidence showed and his play improved. Frequently, Cunningham was targeted and he made the most of them, from toe-tapping full-extension snags on the boundary to run-of-the-mill short routes. But by OTAs end, Cunningham saw first-team reps as the first non-starter in rotation.

Next week he’ll need to prove he can do it against better competition. The past week the Ravens’ defense were missing star safety Kyle Hamilton and their top three cornerbacks in Marlon Humphrey, Brandon Stephens and Arthur Maulet.

If Cunningham can replicate his performance against the big dogs, he’ll be in business.

Nate Wiggins, cornerback

I noticed my notes were mostly vacant of Wiggins the past few weeks. I realized why on Thursday, when honing in on his reps.

Wiggins wasn’t often targeted. He was conducting his assignments and no better rep showed it than during 11-on-11 drills in the red zone.

At the snap, Wiggins read his initial receiver. After the receiver cut in, Wiggins dropped into his assigned zone, searching for the closest threat. Tight end Mark Andrews flew into his zone and linebacker Roquan Smith trailed Andrews before passing him off to Wiggins, who snapped his head back and forth between his assignment and the quarterback’s eyes. As Andrews worked his way back toward Smith’s zone, Wiggins shaded off Andrews, recognizing a receiver was working their way to the back-corner of the end zone—Wiggins responsibility. He didn’t get jumbled up in traffic. He didn’t stick to Andrews—Jackson’s favorite target and a lethal scoring threat. Hard to blame him if he did. But he didn’t. He diagnosed and made the reads. And when Jackson looked his way, he saw the rookie cornerback sealing off the read and forced him to throw elsewhere.

It was one play. It was a darn good one.

Judging Wiggins off a single play is wholly unfair to him for better and worse. But that type of recognition and instincts are impressive and I look forward to watching him for the months to come.

Devontez Walker, wide receiver

The fourth-round rookie receiver has been in frequent contest against cornerback T.J. Tampa throughout OTAs and both have won and lost reps. A few touchdown catches, including a back shoulder catch during red zone drills has Walker looking sharp. Not to say Tampa hasn’t broken up a couple of them, because he has. Walker’s starting off well in camp. Nothing game-breaking, yet. But I think he’s started off well.

Jordan Toles, defensive back

A third-safety role is up for grabs in Baltimore. While big-name free agents could be the answer, the Ravens would assumedly like one of their own earn the job. One of the better contenders the past few weeks is Toles.

Toles has seen frequent snaps in the backfield on account of safety Marcus Williams’ absence in the early weeks of OTAs and Hamilton’s in the back-half. He plucked an interception off rookie quarterback Devin Leary in the second week and, if nothing else, hasn’t been detrimental. Minicamp may reveal the teams’ fondness for Toles if he’s getting third-safety reps with Williams and Hamilton.

Tre Swilling, defensive back

Toles isn’t the only safety being considered, as Swilling saw reps in the final week of OTAs, being paired with Williams. There’s been numerous players getting reps, including Ar’Darius Washington, too.

Swilling’s made a few plays on the ball in OTAs, including ripping the ball from wide receiver Zay Flowers and breaking up a pass to tight end Charlie Kolar. The competition will continue in the months to come.

Jalyn Armour-Davis, Damarion “Pepe” Williams, cornerbacks

Both cornerbacks enter Year 3 with significant pressure. They’ve underwhelmed the past two seasons due to injury and inconsistency. Both have started off on the right foot, notching interceptions. Williams’ pick happened on Thursday against backup quarterback Josh Johnson. The defense appeared to audible and defenders swarmed the line of scrimmage. A moment after the snap, safety Marcus Williams pressured Johnson, but appeared to celebrate not the likely sack he’d get, but knowing the ball was coming Pepe’s way. Pepe caught the pressured pass and sprinted downfield for a would-be 90-yard touchdown.

There is a lot more these two will need to prove in the months to come. They’re on the clock after the Ravens drafted two cornerbacks this season, including Wiggins in Round 1. Fortunately for them, they have some good play to build off.

Stock Down

Daniel Faalele, offensive tackle

Things started off well for Faalele in the first two weeks, appearing to have first-team reps—be it his performance last season earning the snaps or the coaching staff not handing over the keys to rookie Roger Rosengarten before proving himself.

Things changed in the final week. On Tuesday, Faalele struggled in practice. He appeared gassed early, often bent over in the huddle and kneeling on the sideline to catch his breath. Heavily fatigued, Faalele’s play suffered and it appeared a trainer eventually pulled him to the sideline.

I’d like to give Faalele the benefit of the doubt. Maybe he had a morning weightlift that particularly kicked his butt. Maybe his hydration wasn’t up to par or he just had a bad day that came with the media’s eyes in attendance. But it was a poor showing.

In Faalele’s rookie year, he struggled with conditioning. It was publicized and there were concerns. He responded by remaining at the facility in the offseason, worked his tail off with the conditioning and nutrition staff and got himself right before training camp. He passed the Ravens’ vaunted conditioning test and things went off without a hitch. So, I’m willing to chalk it up to one bad day. Faalele now must prove it was aberration.

WR Tylan Wallace

Wallace’s performance in OTAs was by all accounts his normal production. Catch his targets and continue about his day. Don’t mistake my nonchalant writing for his attitude, he continues to work. I have him in this area not from his faults, but the numbers game. The Ravens have four wide receiver spots filled with Flowers, Bateman, Nelson Agholor and rookie Devontez Walker.

Right now I have Wallace written in pen as the No. 5 receiver on the way-too-early depth chart. I don’t expect that to change. Adding him here is maybe an unfair personal desire to see more. I’ve held high expectations for Wallace. He’s an effective player. I just want to see more.

Those With Injury Issues:

• OLB Adisa Isaac
• S Beau Brade
• CB Marlon Humphrey
• OLB David Ojabo

We’ve yet to see a number of players in team activities due to injuries. According to Head Coach John Harbaugh, there’s a possibility of Isaac and Brade practicing in minicamp. Humphrey is expected to be ready to practice, too, though it’s uncertain if he can be full go or if the coaching staff want him to be. Ojabo won’t be participating in team drills until training camp. Just not the start one would hope for these four.