The Baltimore Ravens 53-man roster offered several notable takeaways as the team shifted from preseason to week one.
Two undrafted rookies earned spots, the Ravens stayed busy along the defensive front and the kicking situation already has a new wrinkle after Baltimore added veteran Jake Moody to the practice squad.
Here are five takeaways from the Ravens roster decisions.
Three Quarterbacks, Not Two
The Ravens will carry three quarterbacks on their opening roster for the first time since 2020 after undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano earned a spot alongside Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley.
Fagnano made a strong case throughout the preseason, leading the NFL with 509 passing yards. Instead of trying to get him through waivers and onto the practice squad, Baltimore decided his performance warranted a place on the 53.
Head coach Jesse Minter said Monday that Fagnano “legitimately played his way onto this roster.” Minter also acknowledged that the way Fagnano performed likely would have generated interest from other teams had Baltimore let him go.
For a player who initially came to Baltimore as a rookie minicamp tryout, Fagnano’s rise became one of the biggest stories of the Ravens’ preseason.
Ravens Stay Busy Along the Defensive Line
Baltimore’s defensive line was one of the busiest position groups as the roster came together.
The Ravens traded C.J. Okoye to the New York Giants for a 2028 seventh-round pick, reuniting him with former Ravens head coach John Harbaugh. Okoye was among the players squeezed by what Minter called the team’s tightest roster competition.
At the same time, Nnamdi Madubuike remained on the active roster rather than beginning the season on injured reserve as he works his way back from the neck injury that limited him last season.
That was an encouraging sign for his potential availability. Minter said Monday that Madubuike continues to progress and indicated the Ravens do not expect him to miss the four games that an IR stint would have required.
Teddye Buchanan also remained on the 53 as he continues his return from injury.
Between the Okoye trade and Baltimore’s decisions on Madubuike and Buchanan, the defensive front featured some of the Ravens’ most significant roster movement.
Ethan Burke Wins a Spot Over Adisa Isaac
One of the more notable cuts came at outside linebacker, where undrafted rookie Ethan Burke earned a roster spot while former third-round pick Adisa Isaac was waived.
Burke consistently made plays throughout camp and the preseason, giving the Ravens production on defense and special teams. Minter cited Burke’s consistency, physicality and pass-rush ability when explaining why the rookie separated himself in a tight competition.
Isaac, Baltimore’s third-round pick in 2024, cleared waivers and returned to the Ravens on the practice squad Monday.
Burke joins fellow outside linebackers Trey Hendrickson, Tavius Robinson, Mike Green and Zion Young on the active roster.
Tyler Loop Keeps the Job, But Jake Moody Arrives
Tyler Loop survived roster cuts as Baltimore’s only kicker, but less than 24 hours later, the Ravens added veteran Jake Moody to the practice squad.
Loop had a strong training camp but went 5-for-8 on field goals during the preseason, with his three misses coming from 51 yards or longer. Moody gives Baltimore another option after spending time with San Francisco, Chicago and Washington.
For now, however, Minter made Baltimore’s plans regarding Loop clear: “I expect him to be our kicker going into Indianapolis.”
So Loop still has the job entering Week 1. Moody’s presence simply means Baltimore now has another option in the building if the situation changes.
Two Roster Spots On Ice
Running back Adam Randall and cornerback Bilhal Kone made Baltimore’s initial 53 before being placed on injured reserve with designations to return. Both are officially listed under Reserve/Injured, Designated for Return.
The moves allow the Ravens to bring both players back later while opening two spots on the active roster in the meantime.
Minter said Randall had been dealing with an injury and that the move gives him an opportunity to get fully healthy. He added that the Ravens believe Randall can return and contribute.
For now, Randall and Kone are temporarily on ice while Baltimore continues shaping the roster it will take into the regular season.
More Ravens Roster Talk
For more on the Ravens’ 53-man roster, including the biggest surprises, cuts and what the decisions could mean moving forward, watch Carita Parks of Double Take Sports and Wole Akinso of Urban Sports Scene break it all down.