10 Practice Observations From Ravens' First OTAs

The Ravens took the field for their second practice of Organized Team Activities Wednesday, which was open to the media for viewing.

Here are 10 observations from practice:

1. The first thing reporters do is take the attendance report, so here goes. The veterans not at practice included tight end Mark Andrews, wide receiver Sammy Watkins, defensive linemen Calais Campbell, Brandon Williams and Derek Wolfe, outside linebacker Pernell McPhee and cornerbacks Marcus Peters and Jimmy Smith. Smith attended Tuesday's practice. Head Coach John Harbaugh estimated the Ravens attendance was in the 80s. Those longtime veterans, such as the defensive linemen, don't need the work.

2. Rookie wide receiver Rashod Bateman left practice early due to muscle soreness, Harbaugh said. There is no injury and he was held out for precautionary reasons, and Bateman watched the rest of practice from the sideline. In his place, fourth-round receiver Tylan Wallace shined. Wallace played almost exclusively on the outside at Oklahoma State, but his suddenness out of his breaks creates frequent separation and could make him effective in the slot and working the middle of the field.

3. As Harbaugh stated after practice, for the time being, Bradley Bozeman is working as the team's primary center. He took most of the reps there throughout practice. And, perhaps most notably, the former Alabama center's snaps looked perfect.

4. With Bozeman at center, rookie third-round pick Ben Cleveland will get a chance to earn the starting job at left guard. But he'll have competition, including from Ben Powers, who started seven games last year and in the playoffs. The Ravens rotated a lot of other players around the offensive line spots with Ronnie Stanley rehabbing, but it's clear they want to give new veteran tackle Alejandro Villanueva time to get adjusted to playing on the right side.

5. A lot was made about Marquise Brown's offseason training last year, when he added 23 pounds in two months. There wasn't a need for another such transformation this offseason, but Brown looks like a thoroughbred racehorse. He continues to mature physically. Brown also made a couple of impressive sideline catches.

6. Speaking of wide receivers, Miles Boykin had a good practice. He was targeted frequently by Lamar Jackson and hauled in a couple tough grabs along the sideline, among many others. He caught the most passes of any player during 11-on-11 work. The Ravens added more competition, but don't write off Boykin, who has always had top-notch tools to be productive. With Willie Snead IV gone, Boykin is the team's best blocking wide receiver and a key special teams player.

7. After all NFL running backs in rushing yards per carry last season, one area where J.K. Dobbins can take another step forward is as a receiver. He had too many drops last season, including a pair of costly ones in the playoff loss in Buffalo. Dobbins saw a lot of passes his way Wednesday and caught them all except for one bobble on a screen. He heard it from the defensive players after that one. Dobbins has all the tools to be a very strong receiver out of the backfield and just has to cut out the occasional concentration drop.

8. It's cool watching new wide receivers coaches Tee Martin and Keith Williams. Williams was closer to the reporters Wednesday, and he was extremely active with Brown and Devin Duvernay, giving them very specific, applicable pointers after every single route. Brown called them "amazing" when speaking to the media afterwards.

9. Looking at the outside linebackers, it's good work for rookie first-round pick Odafe Oweh to be going against an experienced pass-pro veteran like Villanueva. That's going to help push the rookie, who is off to a good start. It's also notable that third-year edge Jaylon Ferguson looks like he's toned up his body more this offseason, echoing comments from Defensive Coordiantor Wink Martindale. Ferguson was kicking himself after getting beat for a long completion down the middle, but that's a tough play for a player like him to make.

10. What would a practice notebook be without something on Jackson? Some fans thought he looked bulked up, but I don't see a difference. He had some nice deep throws and misfired on some others. One thing is very clear. He's happy to be back with his teammates and having fun. One funny moment was when he had a long run to the end zone and Dobbins tried to race him over the finish line, getting a laugh from both.