How Ravens’ preseason win over Eagles changed five roster battles

The Baltimore Ravens did not need their preseason opener to learn anything about Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry, Zay Flowers or most of their established starters. Saturday night was about the players competing behind them, and several took advantage of the opportunity. Baltimore rested all but two projected starters and still controlled Philadelphia throughout a 24-7 victory at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens finished with a 440-159 advantage in total offense, produced 31 first downs and held the Eagles without a third-down conversion in nine attempts.

One preseason performance will not determine the final 53-man roster, but it can change the order of a competition. Here is how Baltimore’s opener reshaped five important roster battles before the Ravens travel to Minnesota.

Quarterback: Joe Fagnano creates separation

Tyler Huntley looked comfortable while completing 6 of 7 passes for 76 yards over Baltimore’s first two possessions, further strengthening his position as Jackson’s primary backup. The more meaningful development came behind him.

Fagnano completed 22 of 28 passes for 223 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He operated the offense efficiently, extended drives and delivered a 16-yard touchdown pass to Lane. His interception came while trying to create a play outside the pocket near the goal line, but it did little to overshadow an otherwise encouraging debut.

With Skylar Thompson on injured reserve and Diego Pavia no longer on the roster, Fagnano entered the game with an opportunity to become Baltimore’s third quarterback. He left it as the clear leader. Austin Reed completed both of his passes for 14 yards and added a 14-yard rushing touchdown, but he will need more opportunities to close the distance.

Wide receiver: Ja’Kobi Lane and Elijah Sarratt gain ground

Lane has moved beyond simply competing for a roster spot. The third-round pick is now making a convincing case for a significant role behind Flowers and Rashod Bateman.

After becoming one of training camp’s biggest stories, Lane carried that production into the preseason. He caught three passes for 38 yards, including a 19-yard reception that displayed his catch radius and a physical touchdown on which he powered through two defenders. His performance strengthened his position as the favorite to become Baltimore’s third receiver.

Sarratt also changed the competition. The fourth-round pick led the Ravens with six receptions for 66 yards, consistently creating separation and producing yards after the catch. His third-quarter fumble was a reminder that ball security remains part of the evaluation, but his overall production moved him forward in a crowded competition involving Devontez Walker, LaJohntay Wester, Chris Moore and several younger receivers.

Running back: Adam Randall leads a crowded competition

Henry and Justice Hill did not play, while Rasheen Ali missed the game after sitting out recent practices. Their absences created opportunities for Randall, Elijah Tau-Toliver and Dontae McMillan.

Randall received the first opportunity and finished with 46 yards on 12 carries. His best moment came on a 4-yard touchdown run when he absorbed contact near the line of scrimmage and continued driving toward the end zone. Tau-Toliver added 42 yards on 10 attempts, while McMillan produced 40 yards on nine carries.

All three helped themselves, which made the competition more complicated rather than clearer. Baltimore also signed veteran Jonathan Ward after the opener, adding another candidate who can contribute on special teams. Randall currently has momentum, but the Ravens will need to evaluate receiving ability, pass protection and special-teams value before deciding how many running backs to keep.

Offensive line: Danny Pinter keeps the lead at center

First-round pick Vega Ioane needed only two possessions to reinforce his standing at right guard. Ioane displayed the power and physicality Baltimore expected when it drafted him, finishing blocks and holding up in pass protection. His limited workload also suggested the Ravens already view him more as a starter than a player fighting for a roster spot.

The competition at center remains less settled. Pinter received the start, maintaining the early advantage over Ethan Pocic and Jovaughn Gwyn. Pocic’s experience remains valuable, but Baltimore has continued giving Pinter opportunities to establish himself with the top unit.

The reserve tackle competition also remains important following Kendall Lamm’s retirement. Carson Vinson started at left tackle, while Gerad Lichtenhan opened at right tackle. Neither position was settled Saturday, and Emery Jones Jr. will need a stronger showing after encountering problems in pass protection. The upcoming work against Minnesota should provide a more demanding evaluation.

Cornerback: Keyon Martin makes his roster case

No player in Baltimore’s secondary changed his standing more than Martin. The second-year cornerback recorded a sack and a tackle for loss during the same third-quarter series, carrying his productive training camp into game action.

Martin, T.J. Tampa and Robert Longerbeam contributed to a defensive performance that allowed Philadelphia to produce only 83 net passing yards. The Eagles did not score until the final minutes, when most of Baltimore’s top reserve defenders had already left the game.

Marlon Humphrey, Nate Wiggins and Chidobe Awuzie remain positioned at the top of the cornerback room, but the competition behind them is crowded. Martin’s versatility and playmaking ability strengthened his roster case, while Tampa and Longerbeam also gained ground. Chandler Rivers, Marquise Robinson and the rest of Baltimore’s young defensive backs will have to respond during the Ravens’ joint practices and preseason matchup against Minnesota.

This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: How Ravens’ preseason win over Eagles changed five roster battles