Ravens Beat Reporters Grade Lamar Jackson's Training Camp Performance
With training camp ending yesterday, The Baltimore Banner asked 22 media members who cover the Ravens for their assessments via an anonymous poll.
Here's a look at some of the poll winners, with comments from Baltimore Banner reporter Giana Han:
Lamar Jackson's grade for camp: B (11 votes)
"The reigning MVP came late to camp after suffering an illness. He's had fantastic outings followed by days full of turnovers. Jackson has continued to struggle to connect with his receivers on deep balls, often overthrowing them. However, on the day the Ravens focused on throwing downfield, Jackson got no help from his receivers, who had multiple drops. Jackson looks lighter on his feet after slimming down over the offseason. He's extended plays and shown his famous improvisational ability. However, a true evaluation won't come until Week 1 because he is unlikely to play in preseason games."
Stock up: Ar'Darius Washington (eight votes)
"Safety Ar'Darius Washington has improved his stock so much it's pretty safe to say he's no longer a bubble player. Following NFL free agency, it looked as though he would have a job because he was the only safety left on the roster after Geno Stone's departure. Then the Ravens drafted Sanoussi Kane in the seventh round, signed undrafted rookie Beau Brade and added veteran Eddie Jackson late. But none of those players has had the camp Washington has. He's played with aggression and has benefited with multiple interceptions and pass breakups. He also has experience playing various roles in the secondary, which will help his case."
Dark horse to make the roster: RB Owen Wright (nine votes)
"With Keaton Mitchell recovering from an ACL injury, the Ravens need a third running back behind Derrick Henry and Justice Hill. They brought in Rasheen Ali in the fifth round of the draft, but an undrafted player has stolen the show. Owen Wright was an undrafted rookie last season who put in work on the Ravens' practice squad. He started to shine early while the Ravens were running more passing drills. Once they started focusing more on the run, Wright continued to excel and often dominated the camp highlights. During the preseason game, the Ravens sent Wright out over Ali to start at running back."
Sports Illustrated Writer Praises Jackson's Field Generalship, Defensive Trio's Leadership
Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer attended camp on Wednesday and was impressed by what he saw from Jackson.
"Lamar Jackson looks smooth in his second camp playing for Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken — the NFL's reigning MVP spent a considerable amount of time with his offensive coaches this offseason fitting the offense to what he's most comfortable with, and it's been apparent in how he's played this summer," Breer wrote. "That's also allowed him to become more of a field general out there with his teammates, and you can see it in his command and ability to adjust at the line of scrimmage. And that's part of why, by the way, the Ravens are really excited about the gains they're seeing from TE Isaiah Likely and WR Zay Flowers in the passing game. The chemistry between Jackson and those two was pretty apparent at Wednesday's practice."
Breer said that while Jackson has taken ownership of the offense, the trio of defensive tackle Justin Madubuike, inside linebacker Roquan Smith, and safety Kyle Hamilton have done the same on defense.
"It's about holding guys accountable, and it's setting a tone," Breer wrote. "It's also knowing when a younger guy needs a hand with something. The best NFL teams are always player-led. And it's not like the Ravens weren't last year. But there's been a difference this year, and having a guy like that at quarterback, and one at each level of the defense, should make a difference."
ESPN Projects Ravens' Win-Loss Record Ceiling and Floor
The Ravens' ceiling for the coming season is 13-4, while their floor is 8-9, according to ESPN's Football Power Index.
No team has a higher ceiling than the Ravens, and only the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs have a higher floor (9-8).
ESPN's Jamison Hensley said the offensive line is the biggest X-factor for determining where the Ravens' fall within their win-total spectrum.
"The Ravens decided to go younger on the offensive line, letting guards Kevin Zeitler and John Simpson sign elsewhere and trading right tackle Morgan Moses to the Jets. The three new up-front starters — Baltimore has yet to officially name them — will have a major impact, especially with their pass protection," Hensley wrote. "When Lamar Jackson has been sacked four or more times in his career, Baltimore is 8-9 (.470). When Jackson is sacked three or fewer times, the Ravens are 50-10 (.833)."
Making the Case for Josh Johnson As Ravens' Backup QB
Josh Johnson's underwhelming performance in the Ravens' preseason opener last week has sparked talk among the fanbase about whether the team should sign a veteran free agent such as Ryan Tannehill to serve as Jackson's primary backup.
The Baltimore Sun’s Childs Walker made the case for the 38-year-old Johnson as a reasonable backup to Jackson.
"Josh Johnson offers a steady hand at the right price," Walker wrote.
Walker said the Ravens "went through a deliberate, rational thought process" before deciding to sign Johnson to a one-year, $1.15 million deal to be their second-string quarterback.
"First, they decided Tyler Huntley, their primary backup the past three seasons, didn't play well enough to justify the expense of keeping him over or in addition to Johnson," Walker wrote. "Then, they surveyed the market and concluded the $4 million or so required for a premium backup might leave them hamstrung at a different position. Finally, they settled on a hybrid strategy: trust the veteran Johnson for the short term and use a lower-round draft pick on a quarterback, in this case Devin Leary, who might stick after a developmental year.
"The Ravens won't go deep in the playoffs without Jackson anyway — a reality that hit home when Huntley and Johnson had to start games down the stretch in 2021 and 2022 — so why waste precious cap space on an insurance policy? Johnson is the no-frills plan, but he has virtues."
Those virtues include his experience, preparation skills, and his relationship with Jackson.
"The last point is important," Walker wrote. "When a team has a franchise quarterback, part of the backup's job is to maintain a solid bond with the superstar."
Quick Hits
Yesterday's Most Read: Practice Report: Zay Flowers Shines on Final Day of Training Camp
- Left tackle Ronnie Stanley is No. 36 on NFL.com’s top 50 free agents in 2025.
