The Baltimore Ravens are weeks away from finalizing their 53-man roster, but training camp will also determine which young players, developmental prospects, and roster-bubble options remain in the organization on the practice squad.
Baltimore’s active roster will be difficult to crack because the team has star power at several positions and strong competition near the bottom of the depth chart. That makes the practice squad especially important. It gives the Ravens a way to keep developmental quarterbacks, young defensive backs, offensive line depth, front-seven prospects, and special teams contributors in the building without using an initial 53-man roster spot.
Here is an early look at 10 Ravens practice squad candidates entering training camp.
1. Diego Pavia
Pavia is one of the more intriguing undrafted rookies on the roster because of his playmaking background and competitive style. He signed with Baltimore ahead of OTAs, joining a quarterback room that also includes Lamar Jackson, veteran Skylar Thompson, and fellow rookie Joe Fagnano. Pavia’s path to the 53-man roster is difficult, especially with Thompson appearing to have the early edge for the No. 3 quarterback role, but the practice squad would give Baltimore a chance to continue developing a talented young passer.
For Pavia, training camp and the preseason will be about showing command, accuracy, decision-making, and the ability to operate the offense cleanly. The Ravens do not need him to be a finished product. They need to see enough traits to justify keeping him around as a developmental quarterback.
2. Joe Fagnano
Fagnano is in a similar position to Pavia after signing with Baltimore ahead of OTAs. The Ravens have room to evaluate both quarterbacks through camp, but roster numbers could make it hard for either undrafted rookie to stick on the active roster. That makes Fagnano a logical practice squad candidate if he shows enough throughout the summer.
The value of keeping a quarterback on the practice squad is tied to continuity. Baltimore can use that spot to develop a player who knows the system, can handle scout-team work, and remains available if injuries reshape the quarterback room. Fagnano’s case will depend on how quickly he processes the offense and whether he can create separation from the other young passers.
3. Lardarius Webb Jr.
Webb carries one of the more recognizable names in Ravens camp. The son of former Baltimore defensive back Lardarius Webb, Webb Jr. appeared in 50 games during stops at Wake Forest, South Alabama, Oklahoma State, and Jones College. He totaled 134 tackles, including 72 solo stops, 11 tackles for loss, one sack, 11 interceptions, and 25 passes defensed.
That production gives Webb Jr. a real developmental profile in a secondary that will be competitive throughout the summer. His ball skills stand out, and the Ravens have traditionally valued defensive backs who can contribute on special teams, handle multiple assignments, and provide emergency depth. If he does not make the 53-man roster, Webb Jr. would make sense as a practice squad player with long-term upside.
4. Cortez Braham
Braham enters camp as a wide receiver with experience across multiple programs and a solid production profile. After a three-year junior college run at Hutchinson Community College, Braham played at Memphis, Nevada, and West Virginia, totaling 136 catches for 1,777 yards and 12 touchdowns across 37 career games.
Baltimore’s receiver room has more depth after the offseason additions, which could make it difficult for Braham to make the active roster. Still, he has enough size, experience, and production to compete for a developmental spot. The Ravens need practice squad receivers who can run routes, handle scout-team work, and remain available if injuries hit. Braham fits that profile entering camp.
5. Aaron Graves
Graves brings a strong college résumé from Iowa and could be one of Baltimore’s more interesting defensive line candidates. He recorded 122 tackles, including 25 tackles for loss, 16.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, six passes defended, and one interception in 52 career games with 26 starts.
The Ravens have a deep defensive front, which could make it difficult for Graves to crack the initial 53-man roster. That does not make him any less interesting. Baltimore values linemen who can play with leverage, toughness, and discipline, and Graves’ production suggests he has traits worth developing. If he flashes during the preseason, he could become a priority practice squad target.
6. Matthew McDoom
McDoom gives the Ravens another defensive back with extensive college experience and production. He recorded 129 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, one fumble recovery, 30 passes defensed, and four interceptions over 51 career games with 37 starts at Cincinnati and Coastal Carolina.
Cornerback depth will be one of the more competitive areas of camp, and McDoom will need to show he can hold up in coverage while offering value on special teams. His experience and ball production give him a foundation, but roster math could push him toward the practice squad. If he shows enough versatility, Baltimore could view him as a developmental defensive back worth keeping in the building.
7. Dontae McMillan
McMillan brings a productive rushing background after totaling 493 carries for 2,785 yards and 20 touchdowns during stops at Eastern Michigan and Weber State. He also added 49 receptions for 449 yards and three touchdowns, giving him a well-rounded college profile.
The Ravens already have established options in the backfield, so McMillan’s path to the active roster may depend heavily on special teams and preseason production. Still, productive running backs can be valuable practice squad pieces, especially in a system that wants depth behind Derrick Henry and the rest of the position group. McMillan will need to show burst, ball security, pass protection, and versatility to stay in the conversation.
8. Ty Pezza
Pezza is a converted wide receiver who gives Baltimore an athletic developmental option at tight end. The 6-foot-3 Brown product appeared in 38 career games, totaling 87 catches for 959 yards and nine touchdowns. He also added 24 special teams tackles, a notable part of his profile as he tries to make an NFL roster.
That special teams production matters. The Ravens have valued tight ends who can do more than catch passes, and Pezza’s background could help him compete for a practice squad spot even if he is not ready for a full offensive role. His receiving experience gives him upside, while his special teams work gives him a clearer path to remaining in the organization.
9. Diego Pounds
Pounds is the type of offensive tackle prospect teams often want to keep around. At 6-foot-6 and 330 pounds, he has the size Baltimore covets up front, and he played in 46 career games with 32 starts at Ole Miss and North Carolina.
The Ravens will sort through several offensive line competitions during camp, and Pounds’ ability to stay in the organization may depend on how quickly he adjusts to NFL speed, technique, and conditioning demands. Tackles with size and starting experience are worth developing, and the practice squad could be the right place for Pounds if he shows enough during the preseason.
10. Nick Dawkins
Dawkins gives the Ravens another interior offensive line candidate to monitor. A teammate of first-round pick Olaivavega Ioane at Penn State, Dawkins started all 12 games at center for the Nittany Lions in 2025, anchoring an offensive line that totaled 4,706 yards and averaged 5.8 yards per play.
Baltimore is reworking the interior of its offensive line after losing Tyler Linderbaum, and that makes center depth especially important. Dawkins may not be the favorite to make the initial 53-man roster, but his experience at center gives him practice squad value. If he shows command, strength, and consistent snapping during camp, he could become a developmental interior lineman worth keeping.
Final analysis
The Ravens will have more practice squad candidates than available spots, and players such as Jahquez Robinson, Octavian Smith, Silas Walters, Reid Williford, Dion Wilson Jr., and Dominic DeLuca could also push their way into the conversation. The final decisions will depend on preseason performance, positional injuries, waiver claims, and special teams value, but Pavia, Fagnano, Webb, Braham, Graves, McDoom, McMillan, Pezza, Pounds, and Dawkins give Baltimore a strong early group to monitor as training camp approaches.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens’ training camp: Early look at 10 Practice squad candidates
