On Tuesday, the Baltimore Ravens trimmed their roster down to 53 players for the upcoming regular season. With much of the core from last year’s 13-4 AFC Championship team returning, there was limited flexibility to offer roster spots to undrafted players and training camp invitees. This reality is evident in the choices made regarding who secured a spot and who did not. Here’s an overview of the finalized roster:
Our 53-man roster! pic.twitter.com/K0fihZYtI0
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 28, 2024
And here are the players who did not make the cut.
Ravens cuts …
WAIVED
OT Corey Bullock
RB Chris Collier
CB Bump Cooper Jr.
WR Malik Cunningham
G Darrian Dalcourt
OLB Joe Evans
TE Qadir Ismail
QB Emory Jones
QB Devin Leary
G Tashawn Manning
OT Julian Pearl
DE C.J. Ravenell
ILB Yvandy Rigby
ILB Josh Ross
WR Dayton Wade
CB…— Ryan Mink (@ryanmink) August 28, 2024
Here are some of the notable surprises from the Ravens’ roster cuts:
**Sixth-Round Rookie QB Misses the Cut**
The Ravens will start the season with just two quarterbacks: Lamar Jackson and Josh Johnson. Devin Leary, a sixth-round pick from this year’s draft, did not make the final roster. Despite showcasing a strong arm during college at North Carolina State and Kentucky, Leary struggled with accuracy and turnovers. Although he had impressive moments during training camp and the preseason, it wasn’t enough to secure a spot on the 53-man roster. If he clears waivers, he might be a candidate for the practice squad. The Ravens could also look at available quarterbacks like Bailey Zappe or Mike White to bolster their backup depth.
**’Breakout’ Undrafted WR Dayton Wade Gets Waived**
Dayton Wade, an undrafted receiver who generated considerable buzz during OTAs, training camp, and preseason, was waived. Wade was praised by fullback Patrick Ricard as a breakout candidate and led the Ravens in receiving in two out of three preseason games, including a notable 56-yard touchdown. Despite the departures of veteran receivers Russell Gage and Anthony Miller, Wade was not retained. The Ravens’ receiver lineup is well-stocked with veterans like Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, and Nelson Agholor, along with draft pick Devontez Walker and other notable players. Wade’s potential wasn’t deemed sufficient to secure a roster spot, but he might join the practice squad if he isn’t picked up by another team.
**Local Player Makes the Roster**
A heartwarming story is the inclusion of safety Beau Brade. A local from Clarksville, Maryland, Brade, who played college football at the University of Maryland, was signed by the Ravens as an undrafted free agent. After a slow start to training camp, he performed well in the preseason, recording 19 tackles, including two for losses. While the Ravens have a deep defensive backfield, which may limit Brade’s field time, his presence on the team and the opportunity to learn from experienced players like Kyle Hamilton and Eddie Jackson adds a personal touch to this season’s roster.
