Baltimore Beatdown
The final preseason is nigh as the Baltimore Ravens will face the Washington Commanders on Saturday,. Aug. 23 at 12 p.m. ET. This is a final opportunity for players on the roster bubble to make a splash to vault them ahead of others on the depth chart, earning a place among the 53-man roster.
There are multiple Ravens on the cusp and earning praise. But who should Ravens fans turn their attention toward?
DB Reuben Lowery III
Lowery was voted “most pleasant surprise” of training camp and preseason by media members. He’s impressed in practices and flashed throughout the preseason. Against the Commanders, Lowery has a final shot to demonstrate his value and earn a depth spot.
Lowery is neck-and-neck with safety Sanoussi Kane, according to PFF. The two are tied in coverage grade. Lowery has a 1.1-point edge in overall defense grade and nearly 6-point difference in run defense. However, Kane has a 77.2 tackling grade to Lowery’s 33.4. Lowery ranks 12th lowest in safety tackling grade in the preseason.
S Beau Brade
The competition is fierce for the No. 3 safety role. And while Lowery and Kane are in hearty competition, PFF-gradewise, it’s Brade’s to lose. Yes, the grades aren’t the be-all, end-all, but what he’s done this preseason is be in the proper position, diagnose the offense and take down the ball-carrier. If he’s starting the third preseason game, hone in on Brade to watch his positioning, ability to diagnose the play and the angles he’s taking to the ball or in coverage.
ILB Jay Higgins IV
There is no question as to whether Higgins will be in the NFL. He has produced quality play throughout camp and the preseason. It’s down to whether the Ravens will keep him on their roster or if he lands elsewhere.
On Aug. 20, Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr praised Higgins’ ability and stated he should have been drafted.
“He is a really instinctive player. He’s really instinctive [and has a] high football IQ,” Orr said. “He’s a guy that – it’s rare nowadays. A lot of linebackers now got moved to linebacker late in college or his first time playing the position was in college. He’s been a linebacker basically his whole life. So, he understands how to read [offensive] linemen, read pulls, understands zone drops, man drops [and] spacing in coverage. That’s underrated for the linebacker position. He was a great player in college. His resume speaks for itself, he should have been drafted, but measurables probably knocked him down. He’s definitely athletic enough [and] fast enough to play at this level. [When] you combine that with his IQ and playmaking ability; he keeps it going. There’s no reason why he shouldn’t play a long time in this league. He works at it. He works hard. I am just very pleased with him.”
C Nick Samac
The 2024 seventh-round selection may be on the outside looking in heading into the final preseason game. He’s allowed one sack and one hit...
