Predicting the 7 hardest cuts for the Baltimore Ravens' projected 53-man roster

The 53-man roster deadline in the NFL is Tuesday, August 27, at 4 p.m. ET. This is the date and time by which all 32 NFL teams must reduce their active rosters to 53 players. This is a loaded roster with few holes or opportunities to steal a starting spot or carve out a key role on offense or defense.

With the preseason finale now complete, we're predicting the seven hardest cuts for Baltimore's 53-man roster.

DT CJ Okoye

Baltimore has a big five at the defensive tackle position that includes Justin Madubuike, Broderick Washington, Aeneas Peebles (Drafted Rookie), John Jenkins, and Travis Jones. Even if Jenkins isn't a roster lock, the Ravens re-signed Veteran Brent Urban, who'll be around, and C.J. Ravenell has flashed potential in the Ravens’ preseason games after spending last season on the practice squad. Okoye is a massive man standing at 6-6, 370 pounds, and Baltimore has to decide if they'll risk losing Okoye to the waiver wire.

LB Jay Higgins

If the Ravens carry four linebackers, the idea is that it'll be Roquan Smith, Trenton Simpson, Teddye Buchanan (rookie), and Jake Hunnel for his special teams prowess. Still, undrafted rookie Jay Higgins IV has made a strong push to make the roster following an All-American career at Iowa.

C Nick Samac

The former Michigan State center could lose his roster spot to the ever-improving Corey Bullock.

OL Garrett Dellinger

With stud rookie Emery Jones Jr. likely to start the year on the unable to perform list, Baltimore has a big-nine on the offensive line. The Ravens will have starters Ronnie Stanley, Andrew Vorhees, Tyler Linderbaum, Daniel Faalele, and Roger Rosengarten. Our predicted backups are Joe Noteboom, Corey Bullock, and rookie Carson Vinson. That leaves Dellinger, Ben Cleveland, and others competing for one final spot.

DB Beau Brade

The No. 3 safety competition initially included Sanoussi Kane and Beau Brade. Kane appears to have the edge, as he and Brade both played regularly on special teams in 2024. The Ravens love defensive players who can handle multiple positions, and Lowery has been a Swiss Army Knife early on in the preseason.

OLB David Ojabo

The most high-profile player on the roster bubble, the second-round pick has indeed flashed his potential this summer, but he's behind Kyle Van Noy, Odafe Oweh, Tavius Robinson, and Mike Green on the depth chart.

Keeping six edge rushers would lead to a crunch at another position, and Ojabo doesn’t play special teams. It'll be Ojabo or Adisa Isaac landing the final spot.

DB Keyon Martin

Martin finished with three tackles, including two for loss and a sack, in Baltimore's win over Dallas, and had five tackles in the first half against Washington. Like Reuben Lowery, he has a penchant for playing like a Raven and making the timely play. The rookie looked veteran-like on his blitz and endzone sack of Cowboys quarterback Joe Milton. Martin plays the most loaded position on the team, but could be a candidate to be claimed by an opposing team if he's waived.

This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Predicting the Baltimore Ravens 7 hardest 53-man roster cuts