Ravens News 6/7: Bulking Up

Practice Report: Pepe Williams Interception Amplifies Ravens’ Depth at Cornerback

Clifton Brown, BaltimoreRavens.com

For the second straight day, the Ravens did not wear helmets at OTAs and focused on execution.

However, there was plenty of competition. An interception by third-year cornerback Damarion “Pepe” Williams near the goal line was one of the day’s highlights.

After making the catch, Williams ran the length of the field to finish the play, and it was another illustration of how much depth the Ravens have at cornerback.

Williams and Jalyn Armour-Davis are both entering their third seasons, competing for playing time in a deep cornerback rotation. With Marlon Humphrey not participating in voluntary OTAs this week, Williams and Armour-Davis have gotten more reps and have taken advantage of the opportunity.

It remains to be seen how Williams and Armour-Davis fit into Baltimore’s cornerback mix. The Ravens are deep at the position in a rotation that includes starters Humphrey and Brandon Stephens, slot corner Arthur Maulet, first-round pick Nate Wiggins, fourth-round pick T. J. Tampa and veteran Trayvon Mullen.

Outside linebacker Odafe Oweh burst into the backfield to blow up a designed run featuring wide receiver Zay Flowers. If there was an award for most impressive defensive player during OTAs, Oweh would be a strong candidate.

Tampa made a nice play in coverage on Flowers, staying close enough to provide a distraction on a pass that Flowers dropped. Wiggins has been extremely impressive during practices, but Tampa is making plays as well.

Ravens observations on Lamar Jackson and Ronnie Stanley in high spirits, rookies ahead of schedule and more

Brian Wacker, The Baltimore Sun

Quarterback Lamar Jackson, meanwhile, was in attendance for the third time in the six practices that have been open to the media, though he wasn’t as sharp as he was earlier in the week. The same could be said about other players, too.

Kolar, who also had a nice outstretched grab on the sideline, had several drops, including one in which he beat rookie cornerback T.J. Tampa deep down the middle only to have Jackson’s perfectly thrown pass go right through his hands.

Jackson, backup Josh Johnson and rookie sixth-round pick Devin Leary all had their share of struggles, too, including in seven-on-seven play, which is usually when the offense dominates. One poorly thrown lob from Leary was easily intercepted by defensive back Tre Swilling. Jackson, meanwhile, was off-target at times with his throws as well.

On the upside, quarterback-turned-receiver Malik Cunningham had a nice afternoon, which included snagging a pass in the corner of the end zone among a crowd of players.

Meanwhile, Tampa and fellow rookie Devontez Walker were matched up several times, including one sideline route to the end zone in which the wide receiver had a step on Tampa. But Leary badly overthrew him.

Still, coach John Harbaugh has been impressed by the progress of the two first-year players, among others.

“Both those guys are getting better every day with technique and assignment,” he said. “Probably all the rookies [are] ahead of where we would have expected in those two areas.”

Ravens kicker Justin Tucker bulking up for new kickoff rules

Jamison Hensley, ESPN

Justin Tucker said he has noticed that XFL kickers have been involved in 25% of the tackles with the revamped kickoff play, which has led him to add a few pounds.

“This might be really surprising to a lot of you guys and a lot of my teammates because I don’t hang out in the weight room too frequently,” Tucker said after the Baltimore Ravens’ offseason practice Thursday. “Now I got to get some more shrugs, get the traps going a little bit, just to make sure I’m prepared for a little bit more contact.”

Asked whether he plans to add more muscle, Tucker said, “I have put on, like, 3.8 pounds. Can you guys tell? Probably not. But yeah, I’ll leave it at that.”

In March, NFL owners approved the massive change in kickoffs with a vote of 29-3. Under the new rule, which originated in the XFL, kickers will continue to kick from their own 35-yard line but the other 10 players on the kickoff team will line up at the receiving team’s 40-yard line, which is 5 yards from the return team. The kickers will represent the last line of defense.

“I don’t think [tackling is] necessarily something that is encouraged [for kickers], but it’s not discouraged either,” Tucker said. “It kind of just comes with a territory. It’s a football play. We’re all football players out there, and ultimately if a returner is beelining toward the end zone and I’m the last guy there to stop him, it is part of my job description.”

Every NFL team’s most notable offseason departure: Patriots, Seahawks part ways with legendary coaches

Tyler Sullivan, CBS Sports

Baltimore Ravens: Patrick Queen

Queen was a second-team All-Pro linebacker for the Ravens in 2023 after a stellar season where he notched career-highs in tackles and pass breakups. He was also named to his first Pro Bowl. This offseason, Queen entered free agency and opted to stay in the AFC North, but signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers to the tune of a three-year contract worth up to $41 million.

Way-too-early picks for division winners: Miami Dolphins to win AFC East, San Francisco 49ers set for a three-peat

Trevor Sikkema, PFF

AFC NORTH: CINCINNATI BENGALS

Though the AFC North is typically one of the league’s most competitive divisions year in and year out, this one came down to two teams for me: the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals.

The Bengals finished last in the division at 9-8 a season ago, but starting quarterback Joe Burrow missed seven games through injury and was banged up in a few games to start the year. All signs seem to point to him being healthy and leading a very strong roster.

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is coming off an MVP season, and while his stellar play can absolutely continue, I am worried about a dip in this team’s defensive production now that former defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald is no longer there. The Ravens finished top-10 in team run-defense grade (67.8), team coverage grade (93.0) and team pass-rush grade (81.7) in 2023. They were also the No. 2 defense in the league in terms of expected points added (EPA) allowed per play. A repeat in those areas will likely mean another division title, but any dip could open the door for the Bengals.

Plus, according to win percentage from last season, the Ravens have the second-hardest schedule in 2024, while the Bengals’ schedule is tied for 16th.