Predicting seven surprise Ravens training camp cuts

The Baltimore Ravens enter training camp with one of the AFC’s deepest rosters, and that depth will create difficult decisions as the team trims its roster from 90 to 53.

Baltimore has star power at quarterback, running back, tight end, linebacker, and in the secondary, but the more interesting roster battles will unfold at the bottom of the depth chart. The Ravens have young draft picks, veterans, undrafted rookies, and former starters competing for limited spots, and several recognizable names could be squeezed by roster math, salary cap constraints, special-teams value, or role overlap.

Here is an early prediction of seven surprise Ravens training camp cuts.

Thompson would qualify as a surprise cut because he brings more NFL experience than the young quarterbacks competing behind Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley. A 2022 seventh-round pick out of Kansas State, Thompson did not appear in a game during the 2025 season after suffering a hamstring injury that landed him on injured reserve with the Pittsburgh Steelers in early September. He later signed a reserve/future contract with Pittsburgh in January before becoming part of Baltimore’s quarterback competition.

Thompson has appeared in 10 career games, all with the Miami Dolphins, completing 81 of 138 passes for 721 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions. That experience gives him value in camp, but the Ravens may not want to carry three quarterbacks on the initial 53-man roster if Jackson and Huntley are locked into the top two spots. Diego Pavia and Joe Fagnano can compete for developmental practice squad roles, and Baltimore could use Thompson’s roster spot elsewhere if the numbers become tight.
, running back

Ali’s release would be notable because he entered the offseason with a chance to strengthen his place in the running back room after Keaton Mitchell was not tendered and later joined the Chargers. The issue is that Baltimore’s backfield has several defined pieces and enough competition behind them to make Ali’s spot less secure than it might appear.

Derrick Henry and Justice Hill are safe, while Adam Randall has a defined role. Dontae McMillan and Elijah Tau-Tolliver could also push for practice squad spots or force Baltimore to rethink the bottom of the running back depth chart with strong camps. Ali has talent and familiarity with the system, but he will need to show value on special teams and prove he is more than depth. If another back flashes or the Ravens go lighter at the position, Ali could be squeezed off the roster.
, tight end

Smythe was added in free agency to give the Ravens a veteran tight end after Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar departed, and his experience as a blocker and complementary piece makes him a logical fit. That is also what would make his release surprising.

The Ravens, however, doubled down on the position by adding Alabama’s Josh Cuevas and SMU’s Matthew Hibner. Mark Andrews is locked in after agreeing to a three-year extension, and Baltimore’s staff will have to decide how many tight ends it wants to keep behind him. If Cuevas and Hibner hit the ground running, Smythe could become vulnerable, as younger players offer greater long-term upside and could provide similar depth at a lower cost. Smythe’s path depends on how much the Ravens value his veteran reliability versus the rookies’ developmental traits.
, outside linebacker

Isaac has the pedigree to make this a surprise, but his first two NFL seasons have been interrupted by injuries. The former Penn State standout has played in just four of 36 possible games, and Baltimore’s edge group has become more crowded around him.

Trey Hendrickson gives the Ravens a proven closer, while Zion Young’s addition makes the competition even more difficult. Mike Green and Tavius Robinson are also part of the long-term pass-rush picture, and Kaimon Rucker, Carl Jones Jr., and Ethan Burke are fighting for depth roles. Isaac needs a healthy, productive camp to show he can still become part of the rotation. If he does not separate, the Ravens could decide that other edge rushers offer more immediate value, better special teams ability, or a cleaner developmental path.
, offensive guard

Vorhees would be the biggest surprise on this list because he started all 17 games for Baltimore in 2025. Starting experience usually creates roster security, especially along the offensive line, but the Ravens are reshaping the interior after Tyler Linderbaum departed for Las Vegas and Vega Ioane arrived as a first-round pick.

Vorhees played 969 snaps last season, allowing three sacks, but his 54.6 grade from Pro Football Focus ranked 60th among 81 qualifying offensive guards. That puts him in a pressure spot entering camp. John Simpson is back, Ioane is expected to start, Emery Jones Jr. remains highly regarded, and Baltimore also has Danny Pinter, Jovaughn Gwyn, Corey Bullock, Evan Beerntsen, and Nick Dawkins competing for interior spots. Vorhees’ experience matters, but if the Ravens believe they have upgraded the room or want more versatility from their reserves, he could become a surprise cut candidate.

Broderick Washington is another name worth monitoring because he could become a salary cap casualty if one of Baltimore’s younger defensive linemen steps forward. Still, Thompson, Ali, Smythe, Isaac, and Vorhees stand out as the five most interesting surprise cut candidates because each has a believable path to the roster, but also faces enough pressure from roster math, scheme fit, or younger competition to make cutdown day uncomfortable.

This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Predicting seven surprise Ravens training camp cuts