The Baltimore Ravens signed 18 undrafted free agents following the conclusion of the 2023 NFL Draft. While the Ravens had a solid draft, their limited number of picks (just six) meant that not every depth need could be filled. As such, their undrafted class this year could make some noise.
Eric DeCosta and the Ravens have always placed a heavy emphasis on filling out the roster with quality depth. Their current roster has former UDFAs such as Tyler Huntley, Gus Edwards, Patrick Mekari and Pat Ricard. As evidenced, Baltimore understand the importance of getting the best UDFAs possible.
5 Ravens Undrafted Free Agents With A Chance To Make The Roster
Likely To Make The Roster
1. Keaton Mitchell (Running Back, East Carolina)
There is a reason why Keaton Mitchell was named as the Ravens’ most intriguing undrafted free agent addition. Mitchell had multiple offers even before the draft ended, including from the Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers and New York Jets. He ultimately opted to go for Baltimore due to his expectations from Todd Monken’s scheme and the depth chart vacancies. Another thing to note is that Mitchell is the son of former Raven Anthony Mitchell, who won a Super Bowl with Baltimore.
Mitchell is an electric running back with natural hands and good route running. He possesses good wiggle and runs bigger than he is. His undrafted status was largely down to him being undersized at just 5’8”. However, at the college level, that has never limited him.
As it stands, Baltimore have J.K. Dobbins as their lead back. Edwards and Justice Hill are role players, with Edwards as the power back and Hill as the third-down back. However, with Monken at the helm, the hierarchy will be shaken up. At Georgia, Monken used receiving backs heavily (see James Cook and Kenny McIntosh). While Monken will find a use for Edwards as a power back (like Zamir White at Georgia), Dobbins’ lack of catching ability could be a real hindrance. Given that Dobbins enters a contract year, there is a high chance that Mitchell can become a core contributor for the Ravens.
Has A Chance To Make The Roster
2. Jeremy Lucien (Cornerback, Vanderbilt)
Some have said that Ravens undrafted free agent, Jeremy Lucien, was the SEC’s most underrated cornerback last season. However, there is no denying that the 6’2” cornerback was not productive in 2022, which was the main reason he fell out of the draft.
Lucien has the height and length to be an NFL cornerback, but he could take a year to put on some weight. At the moment, his physical style will be ineffective in the NFL at just 194lbs. Lucien plays best in press coverage systems (like Baltimore’s) and is very instinctive and smart (especially in zone).
Currently, Baltimore have a lot of cornerbacks so it will be hard for Lucien to make the team. The Ravens drafted Kyu Blu Kelly this year, and also have Damarion Williams and Jalyn Armour-Davis from last year. The Rock Ya-Sin signing only makes the uphill climb steeper for Lucien. However, with that said, Lucien’s willingness to tackle (and effectiveness at defending the run) could make him a valuable special teams piece. This is something that John Harbaugh values greatly.
A day 3 prospect to keep an eye on is former Vandy CB Jeremy Lucien, a long defensive back with good play speed (21+ mph), closing speed (6.15 yds/sec) & spatial awareness. Lucien’s closing speed is a signal that he has the range to play safety at the next level. #NFLDraft2023 pic.twitter.com/WKoUJwmNsa
— Cory Yates (@CoryRAanalytics) April 11, 2023
3. Dontay Demus Jr. (Wide Receiver, Maryland)
Baltimore fans are raving about Dontay Demus Jr. at the moment. It was a huge surprise that the 6’3” receiver was not drafted. Part of that was down to some injury concerns, another part was down to his limited 2022 production. Either way, Demus is an intriguing receiver who offers something slightly different to the rest of the Ravens receiving corps.
Demus is a long receiver with good NFL size. He has soft hands, smooth acceleration and excellent stutter. The tall receiver also has physical run-after-catch ability and the potential to be a contested balls catcher. What makes this signing a bonus is the fact that he attended Maryland.
It was no secret that the Ravens receiver room needed severe reconstruction this off-season. The team signed Odell Beckham Jr. to be their short-term primary receiver and also added Nelson Agholor as depth. The drafting of Zay Flowers was another headline move. Adding Demus as an UDFA is, perhaps, the cherry on top. All of the other receivers, aside from Tylan Wallace, are more dink-and-dunk, run-after-catch receivers. Demus adds some physicality. As such, Demus could feasibly be a WR6 on the Ravens. This will especially be the case if he proves he can play special teams.
Joey Porter Jr. wont want to watch this tape back in a hurry, got absolutely destroyed by Ravens UDFA Dontay Demus Jr.
I have a good feeling about Dontay #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/nORgn7iBiB
— Nic Mason (@British_Raven19) April 30, 2023
Dark Horse Candidates
4. Levi Bell (Fullback/Defensive Tackle, Texas State)
The Ravens signing Levi Bell as an undrafted free agent is one of the more unique post-draft moves any team made. Bell is a fullback-defensive tackle hybrid. He was an adequate run stopper at college level, but also contributed on offense. He is, by every description, a Ravens-esque signing. The similarities between Bell and Ricard is outstanding. Ricard was also an UDFA and played a fullback/-defensive line hybrid for Baltimore in his rookie year.
The Ravens have a lot of fullbacks with Bell. They have Ricard, Ben Mason and Bell. There is little chance they will keep two on the roster, and no chance they will keep three. The only way that Bell can make the final-53 is if he can prove himself as a defensive lineman. On the defensive line, the Ravens need depth on the interior. Beyond Travis Jones, Michael Pierce and Justin Madubuike, all spots will be competed for.
5. Jake Guidone (Center/Guard, Connecticut)
Jake Guidone is the final name on this list. Guidone’s value comes due to his versatility. The former tight end is slight undersized for a traditional NFL lineman, but it gives him unique mobility and the versatility to play guard and center. Despite being dubbed ‘undersized’, the Connecticut product plays well beyond his size.
On the interior of the offensive line, the Ravens have clear starters in Tyler Linderbaum, Kevin Zeitler and Ben Cleveland. However, extra depth here would certainly be welcome. Guidone’s versatility gives him a shot to make the team, especially because they have no backup center currently.
Main Photo: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
