Some of Baltimore's preseason stars are headed to new teams.
Quarterback Josh Woodrum, running back Taquan Mizzell and inside linebacker Donald Payne were all claimed off waivers Sunday after the Ravens released them in their final cuts Saturday afternoon, according to the NFL transaction wire.
Woodrum will stay in the division after getting signed by the Cleveland Browns. Mizzell was claimed by the Chicago Bears and Payne is headed to the Jacksonville Jaguars. All three of them could have been options for Baltimore's practice squad if they hadn't been signed elsewhere.
The fact that three young players are headed to 53-man rosters is a testament to Baltimore's personnel department. The Ravens signed Mizzell and Payne as undrafted rookies this spring, and they added Woodrum in training camp after he had already had tryouts with 10 NFL teams.
Woodrum, 24, was one of the surprises of the preseason. He made the most of his first-ever preseason snaps, throwing for 321 yards with a pair of touchdowns and no interceptions. He also ran for a pair of scores and finished the preseason with a quarterback rating of 115.6.
The Ravens kept only two quarterbacks on the active roster – Joe Flacco and Ryan Mallett – after Flacco returned to practice Saturday and is expected to play in the preseason opener.
Mizzell also flashed in the preseason and led the Ravens in both rushing and receiving production. He carried 40 times for 126 yards and added 12 receptions for 90 yards and a score. He shined as a dual-threat back at Virginia, and he showed in the preseason that he can carry that into the NFL.
Payne earned a job after capping off his summer with a game-high 11 tackles in the preseason finale against New Orleans. He played well on defense and special teams, but the Ravens opted to keep undrafted rookie Bam Bradley at the position.Â
The Ravens did not sign any players off waivers on Sunday.
