OWINGS MILLS — The Ravens reconvened at the Under Armour Performance Center this week for the first organized team activities and had a strong showing of players.
During these first sessions, teams can go through 11 versus 11 drills for the first time. It’s also another opportunity for the rookies to get acclimated to the speed of the NFL game and delve further into the playbook.
Although the practices are voluntary, the Ravens’ players who participated included running back Derrick Henry, All-Pro inside linebacker Roquan Smith, All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton, and wide receivers Nelson Agholor and Rashod Bateman, according to the Ravens. All of the Ravens’ nine draft picks are signed and will be there.
NFL teams are allowed to have a 90-man roster in the offseason.
The Ravens also have 23 undrafted players on the roster. One of the more interesting is wide receiver Qadir Ismail, the son of former Ravens receiver Qadry Ismail.
After attending John Carroll School in Bel Air, Qadir Ismail began his college career as a quarterback at Villanova before transitioning to receiver. He finished with 11 receptions for 182 yards in 2021. He later transferred to Samford where he had 16 catches for 156 yards over two seasons.
The Ravens have had an undrafted rookie free agent make their 53-man roster in 19 of the last 20 years.
“Everybody understands how we play and what we believe in,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “They know our identity, and that’s your identity. That’s why you’re here. So, ‘Be great at great, be great at that, and see where it takes you.’”
It’s unclear whether quarterback Lamar Jackson is attending the OTA, but he will be present during the mandatory minicamp from June 11th through the 13th. That will be the last practice before the team reconvenes for training camp in late July.
