Latest news with #EricDeCosta
Yahoo
10-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ravens lose CB Robert Longerbeam to season-ending injured reserve as he joins Bilhal Kone
The Ravens made 11 picks in April's NFL draft, and both sixth-round cornerbacks will miss the 2025 season after Robert Longerbeam joined Bihlal Kone on season-ending injured reserve. Baltimore announced the move on Sunday, after signing running back Myles Gaskin. Round 6, No. 178: Bilhal Kone, CB, Western Michigan General manager Eric DeCosta previously said that Baltimore would take a cornerback in this year's draft, and the Ravens got Mel Kiper Jr.'s 101st-rated prospect with the 178th pick. Kone Will battle T.J., Tampa, Robert Longerbeam (rookie), and Jalyn Armour-Davis for the fourth cornerback spot. Kone primarily plays on the outside but has spent some time in the slot. Last season, Kone led Western Michigan with nine passes broken up. He added 70 tackles and one interception. Round 6, No. 212: Robert Longerbeam, CB, Rutgers April's draft marked the fourth time in the last five years that Baltimore has selected multiple cornerbacks in the same draft. Longerbeam led the Big Ten with 30 passes broken up since 2021. The 5 feet 11, 174-pound cornerback from Rutgers is projected to play slot cornerback, and Longerbeam is only the second player from Rutgers to get drafted by the Ravens, joining running back Ray Rice (second round in 2008). Baltimore still has a deep cornerback rotation featuring Marlon Humphrey, Nate Wiggins, Jaire Alexander, Chidobe Awuzie, T.J. Tampa, and the resurgent Jalyn Armour-Davis. The Ravens signed cornerback M.J. Devonshire on Saturday. Devonshire was a seventh-round pick by the Las Vegas Raiders in 2024. This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens place Robert Longerbeam on injured reserve
USA Today
06-08-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
NFL insider confirms Ravens taking steps to sign three core contributors to extensions
The Ravens may be wisely moving closer to signing three core contributors to long-term contract extensions Every NFL franchise must find its mix of veteran leaders and a young core charged with leading its football team into the future. The Baltimore Ravens do that just about as well as anyone. For every Roquan Smith, there's a young and exciting Teddye Buchanan. One can only hope the youngster is soaking in everything the wily old vet has to tell him. If only life were like Madden NFL's franchise mode. Baltimore could just turn the salary cap off and sign whoever they very well please, but alas, it isn't. The task of juggling the numbers is the responsibility of Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta. If nothing changes between now and season's end, DeCosta and his team will have decisions to make about their impending free agents. Veterans like Mark Andrews, Kyle Van Noy, Jaire Alexander, and Odafe Oweh come to mind, but some of the young guys' numbers are coming up. According to an ESPN report, DeCosta and company are on top of things. Early extension plans show the Ravens' commitment to young core players ESPN's Dan Graziano recently provided an update on the expected contract negotiations of three Ravens. He visited Owing Mills on August 2nd and mentioned a few theories about the status of Kyle Hamilton, Tyler Linderbaum, and the recently injured Isaiah Likely. "The Ravens are working on a few contract extensions they hope to get done by the end of this season, including Hamilton, tight end Isaiah Likely, and center Tyler Linderbaum. It doesn't sound like anything is imminent with any of those, but don't be surprised if you hear news on one or more of them over the next few months." Baltimore picked up Hamilton's fifth-year option. They declined Linderbaum's. The latter and Likely will both be free agents at season's end. We'll see what happens in light of Likely's injury, but it would seem he has done enough to prove he's worthy of a deal moving forward. Hamilton and Linderbaum share four Pro Bowls and two All-Pro nominations between them, though the pair of All-Pros are attached to Hamilton's name. To ensure the long-term success of this organization for years to come, they must be retained and preferably sooner rather than later, but everyone knows that, most notably, Eric DeCosta.
Yahoo
28-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ravens defense earns elite label through calculated strategy
For years, an age-old theory was tossed around. 'Offense sells tickets while defense wins championships. That idea was altered. Some say defense doesn't win. It only allows the opportunity, but the offense has to lead its team to the finish line. These days, teams load up on offensive talent, stating that's the best defense anyway. Other organizations, including the Baltimore Ravens, have found a way to manage the balancing act by adding elite talent on both sides of the ball. Mentioning the studs on Baltimore's offense and their impact would require another 1,000 words or so. The Ravens' defense isn't often given its flowers, so we'll do so here. General manager Eric DeCosta and the company have utilized every tool in the toolbelt to craft what is now seen as one of the NFL's most potent and feared units. The Ravens' defense has risen to elite status with quiet ingenuity and mastery on the front page. It takes villages to raise children, and it takes free agency, trades, and the NFL Draft to build winners. DeCosta blends those tools effortlessly as the Ravens are a perfect blend of seasoned veterans, young stars in the making, and exciting rookies. Recently, Editor at Large Gennaro Filice ranked the NFL's top ten defenses ahead of the 2025 NFL season. Baltimore ranked third. Only the Denver Broncos and Philadelphia Eagles finished higher than the rest. Ranking first and second, respectively. Baltimore improved steadily all season following Mike MacDonald's departure to pursue his own head-coaching opportunity. This is Zachary Orr's unit now, and after a solid finish to the campaign, an already loaded unit added more talent. The Ravens' defense is a mix of stars added by way of trades (Roquan Smith) and shrewd free-agent acquisitions (Jaire Alexander and Kyle Van Noy). In consecutive NFL Drafts, they said three uber-talented defensive backs: Kyle Hamilton, Nate Wiggins, and Malaki Starks. Last season, five of their 11 Pro Bowlers were members of the defensive roster: Smith, Van Noy, defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike, cornerback Marlon Humphrey, and Kyle Hamilton. Smith and Humphrey were named First-Team All-Pros. Hamilton was named as a Second-Teamer. Filice hits the nail on the head with his analysis. "Highly pedigreed, instinctive safety Malaki Starks not only feels like a perfect Raven, but his ability as a center fielder will allow Hamilton to move back toward the line of scrimmage, where he terrorizes opposing offenses as a roaming playmaker. GM Eric DeCosta also fortified the cornerback position, taking a worthwhile gamble on injury-riddled former Pro Bowler Jaire Alexander and signing Chidobe Awuzie as veteran depth. Mix in second-round pick Mike Green as a designated pass rusher in the edge rotation, and Orr's defense appears poised to build on last winter's remarkable surge." Rookie Mike Green is someone you should watch. Legal trouble convinced many teams to remove him from their draft boards. Baltimore gave him a shot, and he looks like he could morph into a second-day steal. Don't forget how the Ravens got here, though. Perhaps Filice puts it best. "Zach Orr's debut season as defensive coordinator got off to a disastrous start in the first two months, with Baltimore ranking 25th or worse in scoring defense (26.1 ppg), total defense (361.3 ypg), passer rating against (103.4) and opponents' third-down percentage (46.7). But the young coach completely flipped the script at midseason. From Week 9 through the end of the regular season, the Ravens ranked first in scoring defense (16.9 ppg), second in total defense (291.2 ypg) and passer rating against (79.0) and third in opponents' third-down percentage (33.9)." This unit is going to do some incredible things all season. We know Baltimore can dominate with its offense, but if, by chance, they have an off-day, it's nice to know that Orr and company can help facilitate victories. After all, 'offense sells tickets but defense wins championships'... maybe... This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens defense earns elite mention thanks to vision and ingenuity
New York Times
22-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Ravens' 53-man roster projection as training camp gets underway
There will be a few surprises as well as some disappointments during training camp and the preseason. Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta is always a strong candidate to add a veteran or two during training camp, and back-end roster shuffling is an annual rite of summer. Of course, injuries are inevitable, too. Advertisement The Ravens will have to trim their roster from its current 91 players to 53 by the afternoon of Aug. 26. From now until then, they'll have roughly two dozen practices, countless meetings and workouts, and three preseason games in a 17-day span. There's much to be decided as the team prepares for its first full-squad practice of training camp on Wednesday. This is one guess of how the 53-man roster that will head to Buffalo for Week 1 of the regular season could shake out. Who makes the cut? Lamar Jackson, Cooper Rush Long shot: Devin Leary Biggest question: Do the Ravens still have bigger priorities than keeping a No. 3 quarterback? Baltimore traditionally opts to use the roster spot at other positions. Fact to consider: Rush was 9-5 as a starter in Dallas. The Ravens signed him this offseason with the belief that he can help the offense stay afloat if Jackson has to miss time. Outlook: It makes some sense to carry a third quarterback because he can be an emergency No. 3 on game days. However, the Ravens have shown year after year that they don't view it as a wise use of roster space. Leary would have to play extremely well this summer to change their minds. He's likely playing for a practice squad spot. Who makes the cut? Derrick Henry, Justice Hill, Keaton Mitchell On the bubble: Rasheen Ali Long shot: Marcus Major Biggest question: Is Mitchell beyond his 2023 knee injury? If the answer is yes, the Ravens are probably set here, barring any summer injuries. Fact to consider: Baltimore's game day No. 3 backs — there were four different ones last year — played 68 total snaps all last season. A healthy Mitchell could change things, but the No. 3 running back will be a heavy special teams position. Outlook: The Ravens could add another running back in the coming weeks, but that player will more than likely be a camp body and not a major threat to make the team. Ali, a 2024 fifth-round pick who was held back by injuries as a rookie, could force the issue here, particularly as a kick returner. The Ravens have kept four running backs before, but Ali would have to be really good in the preseason to convince them to do it again. Advertisement Who makes the cut? Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, DeAndre Hopkins, Tylan Wallace, Devontez Walker, LaJohntay Wester On the bubble: Anthony Miller, Dayton Wade Long shots: Keith Kirkwood, Malik Cunningham, Jahmal Banks, Xavier Guillory Biggest question: What will the Ravens do at punt returner? Wallace, Wester, Miller and Wade could all be candidates, meaning that decision will go a long way to determining the final one or two receiver spots. Fact to consider: The Ravens have kept six or more receivers on their season-opening roster in three of the past four years. It seems likely they'll do it again this year. Outlook: It's been a while since the Ravens entered training camp with so few questions about their wide receiver group. There's always one or two young receivers who flash in the preseason and make a compelling roster case — Wade seems poised to do that this summer — but it's going to be hard for Baltimore to find roster room. As long as Walker keeps progressing, the top five appears set. If the Ravens take a sixth, it will be a returner or core special-teamer. Who makes the cut? Mark Andrews, Isaiah Likely, Charlie Kolar, Patrick Ricard Long shots: Zaire Mitchell-Paden, Sam Pitz, Lucas Scott Biggest question: Will anything change with Andrews' status? The Ravens and Andrews seem intent on moving forward together, even if it's just for one more year, but that won't necessarily silence the trade speculation. Fact to consider: The Ravens were in 12 personnel (two tight ends) on 31 percent of their offensive snaps in 2024, the fifth-highest total in the NFL. For all the talk about whether Andrews or Likely will be the go-to tight end, they both will be on the field plenty together. Outlook: Unless there's an injury or surprise development, like a trade, there's nothing to see here. The Ravens believe they have the best tight end trio and the best blocking fullback in the NFL, and they're probably right on both counts. Advertisement Who makes the cut? Ronnie Stanley, Roger Rosengarten, Tyler Linderbaum, Daniel Faalele, Andrew Vorhees, Ben Cleveland, Joseph Noteboom, Emery Jones Jr., Carson Vinson, Garrett Dellinger On the bubble: Nick Samac, Corey Bullock, Darrian Dalcourt Long shots: Reid Holskey, Ozzie Hutchinson, Jared Penning, Gerad Lichtenhan Biggest question: Who will secure Baltimore's four or five reserve spots? Assuming Stanley, Vorhees, Linderbaum, Faalele and Rosengarten are the starters, the Ravens' decisions will be focused on the reserves, and there are legitimate questions there. Fact to consider: Cleveland, who was arrested on suspicion of drunken charges in February, is subject to at least a three-game suspension. That means both he and Jones, who is still rehabbing from shoulder surgery and will start training camp on the non-football injury list, are highly questionable for Week 1. Outlook: There are more questions here than at any other position. That's largely because of the uncertainty about Cleveland's and Jones' availability for Week 1, plus other unknown factors, such as the readiness of Day 3 draft picks Vinson and Dellinger. As long as he's healthy, Noteboom is likely to be the swing tackle. Everything else will need to be decided, and if Cleveland and Jones aren't on the 53-man roster early, that will open the door for holdovers like Samac, Bullock and Dalcourt. Who makes the cut? Nnamdi Madubuike, Travis Jones, Broderick Washington, John Jenkins, Aeneas Peebles On the bubble: C.J. Okoye, C.J. Ravenell Long shots: Adedayo Odeleye, Jayson Jones Biggest question: Did the Ravens do enough here? Their lone additions were Jenkins, a 36-year-old journeyman, and Peebles, an undersized sixth-round pick. Fact to consider: Madubuike's snap count has gone up at least 5 percent in every season of his career. With Michael Pierce retired, Travis Jones figures to play far more than the 53 percent of the defensive snaps he played last year. Advertisement Outlook: There's always the potential for injuries and room for camp revelations, but this could be pretty simple here. Pierce and Brent Urban out, and Jenkins and Peebles in. The Ravens aren't in their base defense a whole lot, and they have a few outside linebackers who can move inside, so keeping five interior defensive linemen feels like the right number. Who makes the cut? Kyle Van Noy, Odafe Oweh, Tavius Robinson, Mike Green, Adisa Isaac On the bubble: David Ojabo, Malik Hamm Long shots: Diwun Black, Kaimon Rucker Biggest question: Who will be the odd man out? Keeping more than five outside linebackers would limit the Ravens elsewhere on the roster, so that final spot will likely come down to Isaac, Ojabo and Hamm. Fact to consider: Robinson played more than 50 percent of Baltimore's defensive snaps in seven of its last nine games last season. While the Ravens have more highly touted young edge guys, the coaching staff considers Robinson to be a worthy starter. Outlook: This comes down to Ojabo, the 2022 second-round pick who has four sacks in three injury-plagued seasons. If he doesn't have a big summer, the Ravens probably will move on. If Ojabo looks like he's much improved, letting him go for nothing would be a misstep. They almost certainly aren't going to give up on Isaac, a third-round pick last year, after one injury-riddled season. They could keep six outside linebackers, but that means one, if not two, would be ticketed as a weekly inactive, and it would leave the Ravens short elsewhere. Who makes the cut? Roquan Smith, Trenton Simpson, Teddye Buchanan, Jake Hummel On the bubble: Jay Higgins IV, William Kwenkeu Long shot: Chandler Martin Biggest question: How ready is Buchanan to contribute? If the rookie fourth-rounder from California is ready, he not only could push Simpson for the starting job on the weak side, but he would also ease the team's depth concerns here. Advertisement Fact to consider: While he started the first 13 games last season, Simpson played under 75 percent of the defensive snaps in eight of them. Whoever is the starter alongside Smith likely won't be a three-down guy. Outlook: Inside linebacker is a position at which undrafted rookies seem to thrive in Baltimore, and that bodes well for Higgins and Martin. However, there might be no real decisions to make here as the top four appear set. Hummel was signed for his special teams prowess, so he should stick. Who makes the cut? Marlon Humphrey, Nate Wiggins, Jaire Alexander, Chidobe Awuzie, T.J. Tampa, Bilhal Kone, Robert Longerbeam On the bubble: Jalyn Armour-Davis, Reuben Lowery Long shots: Marquise Robinson, Keyon Martin Biggest question: How many corners will the Ravens realistically have room to keep? Knowing the importance of the position, team officials abhor letting go of talented corners, but they'll likely have some tough decisions to make because you can't keep everyone. Fact to consider: Awuzie played in just eight games in three of the past five seasons, and Alexander has played in seven games or fewer in three of the past four. Their health will be closely monitored this summer. Outlook: If the Ravens' cornerbacks are all mostly healthy, this could come down to Armour-Davis and three rookies — Kone, Longerbeam and Lowery — battling for one or two spots. Special teams could play a role in determining those spots, which is why it would be foolish to dismiss Armour-Davis. The oft-injured 2022 fourth-round pick cannot afford to miss time this summer. Lowery, the undrafted rookie out of Tennessee-Chattanooga, has opened a lot of eyes and could push Kone and Longerbeam, the two rookie sixth-rounders, for a job. Who makes the cut? Kyle Hamilton, Malaki Starks, Sanoussi Kane, Beau Brade Long shots: Keondre Jackson, Desmond Igbinosun PUP list: Ar'Darius Washington (Achilles) Biggest question: Do the Ravens need to bring in a veteran safety to play behind Hamilton and Starks? There's a lot of excitement about the starters, but Kane and Brade, who will compete for the No. 3 safety role, combined to play 33 defensive snaps last year. Advertisement Fact to consider: The Ravens have several corners, including Humphrey, Awuzie and Armour-Davis, who figure to see some snaps at safety. That presumably is one reason the team's decision-makers haven't overreacted to a thin depth chart at the position. Outlook: The addition of a veteran safety, such as Justin Simmons or Julian Blackmon, would make it tough for the Ravens to keep both Kane and Brade. For now, both second-year players profile as core special-teamers and safety depth. Washington, who tore his Achilles in May, is hoping to return late in the regular season. Anything the Ravens get from him in 2025 has to be considered a bonus. Keeping four safeties feels light, but it would be mitigated somewhat by keeping seven corners. Who makes the cut? Tyler Loop, Jordan Stout, Nick Moore On the bubble: John Hoyland Biggest question: Will either of the rookie kickers prove to be a worthy successor to Justin Tucker? Both Loop, a sixth-round pick, and Hoyland, an undrafted free agent, were up and down during offseason workouts, and kicking consistency is a must for a team with Super Bowl aspirations. Fact to consider: The Ravens have waived a rookie Day 3 draft pick as part of the 53-man roster cutdown four straight years. While Loop may enter training camp as the favorite to win the kicking job, the Ravens have shown they won't hesitate to move on from a rookie draft pick if they have a better option. Outlook: Tucker struggled for a chunk of last year and was released eight weeks before he was ultimately suspended 10 weeks for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy. Otherwise, the Ravens haven't had to worry about their kicker in more than a dozen years. It's now arguably the team's biggest concern. Loop, who was the guy senior special teams coach and kicking guru Randy Brown wanted, will get every chance to succeed. However, he needs to be more consistent than he was during OTAs and mandatory minicamp, or Baltimore will have to consider other options.
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ravens' Secondary Questioned by Analyst
Ravens' Secondary Questioned by Analyst originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Baltimore Ravens believe they're in a Super Bowl window right now, and general manager Eric DeCosta tried to fill perceived roster holes in this year's draft and in free agency. Advertisement Baltimore added cornerbacks Chidobe Awuzie and Jaire Alexander in free agency and drafted safety Malaki Starks in the first round and corner Bilhal Kone in the sixth. Add that bunch to second-year cornerback Nate Wiggins and veterans Marlon Humphrey and Kyle Hamilton in the secondary, and you have one of the best in the league. But Bleacher Report's Alex Ballentine wonders if it's enough to put the team over the top in the AFC. "There's no way around it. Anything less than a Super Bowl is going to feel like a disappointment in Baltimore. Lamar Jackson is squarely in his prime," Ballentine wrote. "Derrick Henry continues to prove he can defy the laws of NFL aging. The Ravens are likely to have one of the league's most unique and dynamic offenses once again. That leaves it up to the defense to set the ceiling for this squad. Last year, their cornerback depth was tested and failed. This year, they signed Jaire Alexander and Chidobe Awuzie. The veterans will join second-year players Nate Wiggins and TJ Tampa as candidates to play with Marlon Humphrey. Advertisement "Finding success in the AFC playoffs means beating the likes of Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen and Joe Burrow. As good as Jackson is, the secondary has to be able to hold up their end of the bargain." Related: Ravens Place 2 Tight Ends in Top 10 ESPN Position Rankings Related: Ravens Safety Moves Up in NFL Position Rankings This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
