The wounds from blowing a late lead to lose 41-40 to the Buffalo Bills in Week 1 are still fresh, but the Baltimore Ravens have reacted by reshaping the roster at two positions after ditching a veteran edge to make room for a national title-winning wide receiver.
Former Michigan standout Cornelius Johnson was signed to the practice squad on Tuesday, September 9, per Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic. Zrebiec also reported third-year outside linebacker Malik Hamm was released “to make room” for Johnson’s arrival.
Both moves represent a minor shakeup, but they still show the Ravens aren’s standing still after losing another heartbreaker to their playoff nemesis.
Inside Connection Led Ravens to New Wide Receiver
Johnson getting selected in the final round of the 2024 NFL draft by the Los Angeles Chargers provided the Ravens with an inside connection. It came from Chargers boss and Johnson’s former Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh, brother of Ravens sideline general John.
If the latter gleaned any intel about Johnson he will have learned the 6-foot-3, 212-pounder is a potential size and speed mismatch. He showcased some of that potential by reeling in this 50-yard touchdown pass from future Minnesota Vikings starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy back during Michigan’s 2023 title year, per the Big Ten Network.
Those qualities make it worth stashing Johnson on the practice squad. Especially when primary members of Baltimore’s receiver corps have dealt with injuries in recent years, including Rashod Bateman and Zay Flowers.
Adding depth at wideout makes sense, even with five-time Pro Bowler DeAndre Hopkins firmly in the mix. There’s also a place for 2024 fourth-round pick Devontez Walker, but the Ravens could use extra numbers.
It’s a similar story at the edges of their front seven, where the Ravens are comfortable about moving on from Hamm.
Ravens Standing Firm at Outside Linebacker
Moving on from former undrafted free agent Hamm indicates the Ravens are happy with what they have at outside linebacker. It’s a controversial stance about a suspect position.
Veteran Kyle Van Noy and former first-round pick Odafe Oweh are still starting, but the Ravens need more impact from the rest of the rotation. They are counting on it coming from a potential centerpiece, physical specimen Tavius Robinson, as well as from second-rounder Mike Green, who has already been challenged to prove himself.
It would also help if another second-round pick, oft-injured David Ojabo, can finally stay healthy. The Ravens still have Adisa Isaac, although the third-round pick a year ago is recovering from ligament damage in his elbow suffered during preseason.
Rookie Kaimon Rucker is a natural pass-rusher who remains on the practice squad, but the absence of playmakers at the bottom end of the depth chart is painfully obvious. The pain was felt when the Ravens only got to Bills QB Josh Allen for one sack and afforded the NFL MVP 2.2 seconds worth of time in the pocket, according to Pro Football Reference.
Hamm never really improved the pass rush during his time in Baltimore, despite promising moments like this “hell of a spin move” against the Philadelphia Eagles in a 2023 exhibition game, applauded by Commanding The Huddle host Ryan Fowler.
A torn ACL before the 2024 campaign stunted Hamm’s development. He’ll continue battling back elsewhere, while Johnson becomes the second Chargers prospect to land in Baltimore.
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