Ravens observations from rookie minicamp, including injury updates and small school stars with big dreams
Brian Wacker, The Baltimore Sun
Early impressions of CB Nate Wiggins, OL Roger Rosengarten
While many of the rookies on hand for minicamp won’t be on the roster by the end of training camp, the Ravens’ first two draft picks certainly will, and both will be expected to be significant contributors right away.
What were Harbaugh’s early impressions of Wiggins, taken 30th overall, and Rosengarten, whom they drafted in the second round?
“Nate looked good,” Harbaugh said. “As good as he looked, technique-wise, there are so many things that he needs to get better at. He’s open to that, and that’s part of that.”
As for Rosengarten, who should be in the mix for the starting right tackle job, Harbaugh noted his versatility, comparing him favorably in that regard with swing tackle and veteran Patrick Mekari.
“Roger is a really good athlete,” Harbaugh said. “He moves his feet really well. … I saw him in person in the [national] championship game a little bit, but that’s different. To see him in person out here moving his feet, I’m like ‘OK, he’s everything that we thought he would be athletically.’”
Andrew Vorhees, Roger Rosengarten Make Strong Early Impression
Clifton Brown, BaltimoreRavens.com
A seventh-round pick in 2023, Vorhees has returned to action at this year’s rookie minicamp after missing last season with a knee injury. Vorhees is competing for a starting job at guard, and according to Head Coach John Harbaugh, the 6-foot-6, 310-pound Vorhees looks stronger than ever after a knee injury suffered at the 2023 Combine.
“He looked very well-trained,” Harbaugh said. “He’s been here basically working out for a whole year. He was already a strong guy. He’s moving his feet well, he’s been studying for a whole year. I thought he looked like how you’d expect him to look.”
Cornerbacks Nate Wiggins (first round) and T.J. Tampa (fourth round) are roommates during rookie minicamp, just as they were during the Combine. Both are vying for roles in the defensive rotation and Tampa said they have a friendly competition going.
“Of course there’s extra motivation,” Tampa said. “I wouldn’t say just him, but the whole corner room. It’s really competition within myself to get better every day, learn the scheme and go hard.”
Wiggins has been texting with two veterans on Baltimore’s defense, Marlon Humphrey and Roquan Smith. Wiggins said the tempo of NFL practices has been faster than he’s used to and that he’s working on polishing his technique.
“Really, just getting my head around and stop grabbing a lot,” Wiggins said. “In the NFL, you can’t touch the receiver after five yards; in college, you can touch them all the way down the field. So, it’s really just getting adjusted to that.
“It was just a habit – just beating up receivers all the way down the field. Now, I’ve just got to play with technique, so that’s my biggest jump.”
The Ravens’ 5 most intriguing undrafted free agent signings
Giana Han, The Baltimore Banner
4. Jordan Toles, DB, Morgan State
You’ve got to love a good homecoming story — especially when paired with a high school reunion. Jordan Toles, who played with Dalcourt at St. Frances, was a four-star recruit out of Baltimore. He started his career at LSU before transferring to Morgan State.
Toles earned All-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference first-team honors. His senior year, he was the team’s second-leading tackler with 66, along with five passes defensed, three interceptions and a forced fumble. His best game was against Howard, when he recorded 14 tackles. Toles was a finalist for the Aeneas Williams Award, which is given to the best defensive back in historically Black college and university Division I football.
Like Brade, Toles will compete for a role in a secondary that recently bulked up its cornerback depth but is searching for safety depth. He will be in competition with Brade, Kane and Washington at safety. If he leans toward being a cornerback, he will compete with T.J. Tampa, Arthur Maulet, Ka’Dar Hollman, Damarion “Pepe” Williams and Trayvon Mullen for a backup role.
Execs unfiltered on AFC’s Draft class: Should the Patriots have traded down? Thoughts on all 16 teams
Mike Sando, The Athletic
This Ravens offseason has been mostly about players and coaches leaving the team, so adding nine players had to feel good for Baltimore.
Two things about this class stood out to me: The first five picks all play premium positions, and four of those were drafted significantly later than their consensus rankings.
“When you can hit on positions of impact, it helps to be cost-controlled at positions commanding a premium on the market,” an exec said.
The run on offensive players early in the draft allowed Baltimore to select the third cornerback (Nate Wiggins) with only the 30th choice. But in targeting premium positions lower in the draft, the Ravens wound up with the 11th offensive tackle (Roger Rosengarten), the 10th edge rusher (Adisa Isaac) and the 19th receiver (Devontez Walker).
“Nate Wiggins was the best cover corner in the draft,” an exec said. “He falls a little because he did not compete as consistently as you’d like, but going into that Baltimore culture, they have to feel good. They are not a team you really question.”
Wiggins was No. 22 on The Athletic’s consensus board and went No. 30. T.J. Tampa was No. 57 (and the eighth-ranked corner) but went in the fourth round at No. 130, the sixteenth corner off the board. Isaac ranked 68th but went 93rd in Round 3, and Walker ranked 86th and went 113th in Round 4.
“Rosengarten is an underrated pick,” another exec said. “He is going to be similar to like Spencer Brown in Buffalo, a starting tackle. They have done a good job developing rushers, too, so I like them taking the Penn State kid (Isaac). Tampa ran in the 4.5s and might have gotten the benefit of the doubt from some because he has length.”
Ranking AFC teams following 2024 NFL Draft: Chiefs remain team to beat, Texans on the rise
Tyler Sullivan, CBS Sports
2023 record: 13-4 (reached AFC Championship)
I do think we should be paying attention to Baltimore losing defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald and how that may impact the unit after a stellar season. Even with that in mind, however, the Ravens are a legit contender in the conference. Lamar Jackson should be even better as he enters his second season with OC Todd Monken and will now have Derrick Henry with him in the backfield. Zay Flowers ascending in his second season and getting Mark Andrews back healthy also is a plus on offense. Defensively, they were able to retain Justin Madubuike and added Clemson corner Nate Wiggins to help out the secondary.
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