A look at what to watch for in the Baltimore Ravens' final preseason matchup.
The Baltimore Ravens are set for their third and final preseason game against the Washington Commanders on Friday.
This game will be the final time that head coach Jesse Minter and the rest of the coaching staff can evaluate the roster to engage in roster cuts on Aug. 30. All 32 teams will need to cut their rosters down from 90 to 53 by 6 pm EST.
With the final chance to evaluate depth players, roster bubble players, and to settle camp battles, here is what to look for in the Ravens final preseason game.
Ravens Center Battle
Minter has made it a point not to play starters or "established" players, as he called them during preseason action. However, the center battle has been ongoing through training camp.
Following the season-ending injury to Danny Pinter, the Ravens may not be any closer to deciding their starter, given Ethan Pocic, Jovaugh Gwyn, and Corey Bullock have all been in the mix.
Gwyn has been mentioned by Minter many times, but Pocic has the most experience at center among the layers angling for the spot.
Wide Receivers' Playing Time
Similar to the center competition, the Baltimore offense currently has some younger players who are up-and-coming and can help transform the passing game in 2026.
Rookies Elijah Sarratt and Ja'Kobi Lane have been present in all preseason games, and they figure to both be featured yet again. It will be interesting to see if Sarratt or Lane gets less or more playing time during the final game.
There is also Devontez Walker, who has not quite played much. However, with the Rashod Bateman arrest and potential suspension, this could be the last time that Minter can see Walker, Sarratt, and Lane to truly decide their roster depth order.
Joe Fagnano Performance
One of the most surprising aspects of the Ravens' preseason matches thus far has been the performance of quarterback Joe Fagnano.
Through two games, Fagnano has secured 347 passing yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. The interception was also not a hugely awful throw, but came during some strong coverage in the end zone.
Fagnano may not leap Tyler Huntley for the backup position, but he could play himself into a stronger role with another team. He signed with the Ravens as an UDFA, and another team could be attempting to bring him in as a backup.
Defensive Standouts Pushing for Bigger Spots
Keondre Jackson has been all over the field in the first two preseason games, bringing in a sack, nine total tackles, and two tackles for loss. Jackson may not leap Jaylinn Hawkins for the starting spot, but he could put himself in a big rotational spot.
Ethan Burke is also a name to watch in terms of UDFAs who have performed well. Burke picked up three total tackles, a sack, one tackle for loss, two passes defended, and two quarterback hits in the second preseason game.
With the Ravens needing some strong pass rush, he may very well push himself onto the 53-man roster.
Tyler Loop Kicking Game
Kicker Tyler Loop was 2-for-2 in the second preseason game, knocking in a 49-yarder. However, he has certainly missed in practice since then.
Loop needs to remain perfect or close to it during live-game action to give the Ravens the kind of insurance they need in the special teams department.
Baltimore may need to bring in a kicker if Loop does not provide enough insurance that he can kick good field goals when it matters.
