Lamar Jackson's favorite target at Louisville is among the undrafted free agents who will be in rookie minicamp (May 3-4) with the Ravens, according to reports.
The list of the Ravens' undrafted rookie class will not become official until later in the week, after players pass physicals and sign deals. However, players and agents have been on social media Saturday and Sunday announcing their intentions, and various media reports are linking players with teams.
Former Louisville wide receiver Jaylen Smith, an undrafted free agent, will sign in Baltimore per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
Jackson and Smith are friends and have worked out together this offseason in Pompano Beach, Fla.
Smith caught 13 touchdown passes from Jackson in 2016-17 at Louisville, and it would be interesting to see if their college chemistry on the field carries over to the NFL. The 6-foot-2, 219-pound Smith was a four-year starter for the Cardinals and finished ninth in school history in receptions (152) and sixth in receiving yards (2,505).
Two of the Ravens' first three draft picks were wide receivers, Marquise "Hollywood" Brown (first-round) of Oklahoma and Miles Boykin (third round) of Notre Dame. But the Ravens are retooling the position after releasing Michael Crabtree and losing John Brown in free agency to Buffalo. Smith may view the Ravens as a place where he has a legitimate chance to compete for a roster spot, and his connection to Jackson made Baltimore a favorable destination for Smith.
The rush to sign undrafted free agents began after the NFL Draft ended Saturday. Other undrafted players reportedly headed to the Ravens include:
- OLB Michael Onuoha, who had 14 sacks over a three-year career at Texas A&M- Commerce after transferring from Oklahoma. Onuoha tweeted the news on his account.
- OL Marcus Applefield of Virginia, who started every game last season at right tackle, was reportedly headed to the Ravens via the school's football website.
- DT Gerald Willis of Miami, who led the ACC in tackles for loss in 2018. This signing was reported via Pelissero.
- OL Patrick Vahe of Texas, who was the Longhorn's starting left guard last season. Vahe Tweeted that he was headed to Baltimore.
- WR Taivon Jacobs of Maryland, who had 93 career catches for the Terrapins, was headed to Baltimore according to his representatives.
- TE Charles Scarff of Delaware who had 43 catches for 498 yards and seven touchdowns last season. The school announced Scarff was headed to Baltimore on Twitter.
- OL – C.J. Toogood of Elon who played every position on the offensive line during his college career. The school announced Toogood is headed for the Ravens via Twitter.
