Checking In on Former Drafted/UDFA Ravens Around the NFL

post submitted by Jason Wolbert (WNCRavensFan on the RSR Forums)

One of the metrics that show the Ravens have been a top drafting/development team is that traditionally, they’ve been at or near the top of teams sending players to other teams around the NFL.  It’s been a while since I’ve done one of these and since it’s draft week, why don’t we take a snapshot of the Ravens diaspora?

These are all players that the Ravens originally drafted or developed from UDFA, that are still listed as NFL active.  I’ve included 52 such players, plus one in a different league, and one that just retired.  If you can think of someone else, please do tell in the comments!

Anthony Averett (4^th, 2018) – Currently a FA after Houston released him March 17.  Averett started six games for the Raiders in 2022 and hasn’t seen the field since. He should however have vested by now, and will enjoy an NFL pension, so you’d have to consider that a success for him.

Tyler Badie (6^th, 2022) – After missing the team, he was picked up by the Broncos, and is still with them.  He’s only appeared in four games over three seasons, so it’s fair to say he’s on the roster bubble.

Kyu Blu Kelly (5^th, 2023) – Kelly has already bounced around five teams:  Baltimore, Seattle, Green Bay, Washington and now Las Vegas, his home team.  He’s relegated to special teams, and has appeared in 12 games over two seasons.  He’s still just 23 years old so I wouldn’t close the door on him yet.

Chris Board (UDFA, 2018) – One of many Raven UDFA success stories at the LB position, Board has been a special teams ace for seven seasons for the Ravens, Lions, Patriots and now the Giants.  He’s also filled in admirably in spot starts.  I expect him to keep going.

Tyus Bowser (2^nd, 2017) – Not done after a bad injury/rehab/drama, Bowser is currently a Dolphin.  Miami is shallow on defense so he’ll have the opportunity for a bounce-back season, but the last time he was good was 2021.  Bowser started four games for them last season, recording ten tackles.

Miles Boykin (3^rd, 2019) – Our favorite whipping boy on the board, Boykin continues to find places to play around the NFL.  After moving to Pittsburgh, New York, and Seattle, he signed a contract with the Chicago Bears for this season.  It’s debatable whether he’ll survive cut-downs, but you never know.

Bradley Bozeman (6^th, 2018) – Bozeman left for greener pastures (money) following the 2021 season and found himself in Carolina, then in LA playing for Ravens-West.  He’s been a stalwart, starting all games in 5 of the past 6 seasons at center.  In hindsight, he was an excellent pick.

Ben Bredeson (4^th, 2020) – Did not have a good start in Baltimore and lasted only one season; however, since then he developed with the Giants and is now a consistent starter for the Buccaneers.  The Ravens may have given up too early on him.

Marquise “Hollywood ” Brown (1^st, 2019) – He thought he’d do better on another team but so far he has not.  His last season with the Ravens netted 1008 yards and 6 TDs.  In two seasons with the Cardinals he totaled 1283 yards and 7 TD.  Then he spent most of last season with the Chiefs injured.  He’s still there, so will he rebound?

Orlando Brown Jr (3^rd, 2018) – This LEFT tackle (his words) continued his Pro Bowl streak with Kansas City after a famous fall out/trade.  He has a Super Bowl ring with them, and all-in-all he’s had a very good career.  That said, it seems he’s on the decline in Cincinnati and maybe he should go back to RIGHT tackle, but I dunno.  Great 3^rd round pick.

DeAndre Carter (UDFA, 2015) – Yes, this long-tenured special teams journeyman first signed with the Ravens.  Since then he’s played for six different teams, returning punts and kicks and catching a few passes on offense.  This year he begins the season with the Browns.  To date he’s returned 149 punts and 133 kicks and has 1 kick return TD (for Washington, 2021).  Not bad for UDFA.

Chuck Clark (6^th, 2017) – There was a time when Chuck Clark was one of the more valuable players on the Ravens defense.  That time seems so long ago.  He earned a second contract with the team, but started to decline before leaving on not-so-good terms (thanks, Earl Thomas).  The Jets picked him up and he promptly tore his ACL.  Last season he played in 12 games and logged 69 tackles, a sack, a FF and two PD.  He is currently a FA.

Trystan Colon (UDFA, 2020) – After three seasons in Baltimore, he spent the last two in Arizona as a rotational OL, starting 15 games.  Another back up lineman that finds significant playing time elsewhere.  Not that he’s good, but he’s serviceable.

Carl Davis (3^rd, 2015) – I’m fairly surprised he’s still in the league, but here he is, although he isn’t currently signed.  He’s played for seven franchises and amassed 19 GS.  Since leaving Baltimore, his best stint was with the Patriots from 2020-2022.

J.K. Dobbins (2^nd, 2020) – A fairly publicized exit and signing with Ravens-West.  He looked very good last season until, of course, he got injured.  Still, he almost hit 1000 yards and 10 TD.  Just yesterday he signed a contract with the Cleveland Browns, and I imagine he’ll be RB1 as long as his body holds up.

Khalil Dorsey (UDFA, 2020) – Dorsey hung on to the practice squad at first, and managed to be elevated, before COVID got him and shut down his season.  He never got healthy enough after that, but was a good presence in the locker room.  His career had a resurgence with the Lions in 2023, where he is still with the team as a reserve CB.

Devin Duvernay (3^rd, 2020) – I wonder how many people remember his All Pro season as a return specialist?  It was only four years ago.  Anyway, last season he signed for more money in Jacksonville, and he is now on the Bears.  He will need to continue to make his hay on special teams because he’s not going to be starting WR anytime soon.

Gus Edwards (UDFA,. 2018) – Gus the Bus continued two traditions: really good Ravens UDFA signings, and NFL RBs somehow coming out of Rutgers.  Edwards’ play style unfortunately means he may be done – he’s unsigned – but in the meantime, he’s racked up 3760 yards and 30 TD for the Ravens and Ravens-West.  Absolute success story.

Deshon Elliott (6^th, 2018) – Another very good pick considering it was the 6^th round.  Elliott was a significant contributor in the secondary from 2020-2021 until tearing his biceps.  Leaving in FA, he’s played for the Lions, Dolphins and Steelers and can be described as an average starting NFL safety.

Jermaine Eluemunor (5^th, 2017) – This is another case where I thought we had a wasted OL pick, only for him to have a modest career as a starter in the league.  Eluemunor started games for the Patriots, Raiders and Giants and is still in New York at age 30.  That’s why you shouldn’t grade drafts too soon – or cut players too soon, if you can help it.

Joe Flacco (1^st, 2008) – The longest tenured player on the list.  Flacco speaks for himself.  He is returning to the Browns this season to lead the last team that he led to a playoff appearance.  It’s just that he’s 40 and can’t move.  I hope he doesn’t get injured too badly.

Graham Gano (UDFA, 2009) – The second longest tenured player on the list is unsurprisingly a kicker.  Gano’s had a fine career scoring 1398 regular season points and he has been with the Giants for five seasons and counting.

Malik Harrison (3^rd, 2020) – Harrison is entering his first season with another team (Steelers, ugh) after establishing himself as a run-stopping two-down LB.  He will fill a similar role in Pittsburgh, often kicking outside to set the edge.

Tyler Huntley (UDFA, 2020) – You can’t argue with a career like Huntley’s if you’re a UDFA.  He is perhaps holder of the title of “least deserving Pro Bowler ever” which would mean, if you stretch the definition, he’s the GOAT of bad Pro Bowl nods.  Anyway, he’s a backup’s backup in the league and he’ll continue to cash checks as long as he’s efforting to do so.  He even won two games as a starter in Miami last season.  Snoop is currently unsigned.

Hayden Hurst (1^st, 2018) – The answer to the trivia question, “who did the Ravens draft before they drafted Lamar Jackson?”  Hurst, like many on this list, is unsigned and will likely be added to a team after the draft is concluded, where he will fight for a roster spot.  After the Ravens traded him to the Falcons prior to the 2020 season, he’s played for them, the Bengals, the Panthers and Ravens-West.  All told he’s tallied 203 catches for 1975 yards and 15 TD.  Definitely not worth a first round pick.

Matt Judon (5^th, 2016) – The opposite of Hurst in terms of value over round drafted.  Just like Orlando Brown, he followed two Pro Bowl seasons in Baltimore with two more Pro Bowl seasons elsewhere (in this case, New England).  He has 72 career sacks and is currently unsigned – frankly, he could be a good value signing for the Ravens in the vein of Kyle Van Noy, if only they can bury the hatchet.

Kyle Juszczyk (4^th, 2013) – Would have been the NFL All 2010s Team FB if they hadn’t eschewed it for the Flex position (won by Darren Sproles, for the record).  The do-all H-Back got his first Pro Bowl nod in 2016 before reeling off eight straight in San Francisco, where he still is, after they cut and re-signed him.  He is generally considered the best rushing/receiving FB in the league, whereas Pat Ricard is the best blocking FB.

Wil Lutz (UDFA, 2016) – Continuing the tradition of the Ravens finding kickers, Lutz latched on with New Orleans after cuts and spent seven years there (six seasons thanks to COVID).  He earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2019 for the Saints.  He’s now the kicker for the Broncos, and he’s got plenty of career ahead of him.

Ben Mason (5^th, 2021) – I’m on record for not liking this draft pick and he’s done nothing of note in the league so far, appearing in one game.  He’s a FA and I don’t know if anyone will sign him.  It may be in his best interest to go to a lesser league, as a couple of the following names have.

Patrick Mekari (UDFA, 2019) – If you’ve read this far you may notice the Ravens have been pretty good at identifying day three/UDFA offensive line talent, even if many of them left the team.  This also includes recently retired players like Ryan Jensen, who are no longer listed.  Mekari has unusual value in his versatility, excelling as a super-sub across the OL.  He is however a jack-of-all-trades, master of none.  Mekari is also unusual in how he’s turned his extremely short arms into a leverage asset, even at OT.  This will be his first season away from the Ravens after signing a 3-yr deal with the Jaguars.

Jeremiah Moon (UDFA, 2022) – Moon was an intriguing developmental prospect at EDGE, but eventually he was waived and claimed by the Steelers, who seem to have a thing for Ravens linebackers.  He signed a 1-yr deal with them for 2025 and I’m keeping an eye on his progress.

Chris Moore (4^th, 2016) – Special teams yo.  Moore, like Carter and Duvernay, has made a career out of being a backup WR and ST guy.  Here he is entering his tenth season, as part of the Commanders.  As a receiver he has 138 catches for 1710 yards and 8 TD.  He’s also played for the Texans, Titans and Cardinals.

C.J. Mosley (1^st, 2014) – If you take the name off, forget that he had to follow in Ray Lewis’s footsteps, and just look at the resume, you may be surprised at how good he was.  Five times he  was named 2^nd Team All-Pro.  He has an AV (approximate value) of 95.  He has 53 passes defended, with 12 INT and 12 sacks, and he has over 1000 tackles.  He spent the last six years (five seasons) with the Jets after signing a huge free agent deal with them.  No, the Ravens shouldn’t have matched the deal, but he is still a Hall Of Very Good player and one of the better off ball LBs of the 2010s.  I suspect he will retire.

Matthew Orzech (UDFA, 2019) – Who?  Yes, a Long Snapper.  After being cut he signed with the Jaguars and has been in the league ever since, aside from COVID.  He currently snaps for the Packers.

Tim Patrick (UDFA, 2017) – He had 143 catches for 2009 yards and 12 TD in four seasons with the Broncos, after Ravens waived him.  They could’ve used that production.  He spent two seasons on IR before signing with the Lions, and he’s staying in Detroit for 2025.  Perhaps the best UDFA WR in Ravens history, but they got nothing for it.

Donald Payne (UDFA, 2017) – A LB out of Stetson that most of us don’t remember.  He spent three seasons with the Jaguars from 2017-2019.  He spent a bunch of times on practice squads after that.  The last three years however, he’s been a star player in other leagues.  He led the USFL in tackles in 2022 and won an XFL championship with the Arlington Renegades in 2023.  Is there any future in the NFL for him?  He’s 30, so probably not.

Tyre Phillips (3^rd, 2020) – A raw, toolsy OL prospect that was drafted too early, but he hung onto the Giants roster and started 15 games for them.  That’s not a ringing endorsement as bad as the Giants have been; he’s behind most of the other OL on the list in terms of development.  But you never know.  He is currently a FA and age 28.

Ben Powers (4^th, 2019) – Got better as he gained experience and left for a decent contract elsewhere after his rookie deal ended.  A common story for the Ravens.  In this case he hasn’t missed a game for the Broncos and is their starting LG.

James Proche (6^th, 2020) – He is on his third team going into the season, with the Titans.  He’s been a back-of-the-roster WR his whole career but he’s hung in long enough to get a pension, so congrats to him.  He has appeared in 62 NFL games and counting.

Josh Ross (UDFA, 2022) – A guy that I really thought would develop into something with the Ravens, he eventually ran out of time last season and latched on to the Seahawks thanks to his Ravens and Wolverines connection to Mike Macdonald.  The former team captain is still there and still has an opportunity ahead of him.

Patrick Queen (1^st, 2020) – He took a long time to develop for a first round pick, but he eventually landed 2^nd team All-Pro… in his contract year.  Based on his play with the Steelers, it looks like that was his motivation.  We know what his strengths and weaknesses are by now so it’s up to them to put him in the right positions.  Not our problem.

Trent Sieg (UDFA, 2018) – Another LS, this one a bit more accomplished.  He’s appeared in 114 NFL games to date and snapped for the Raiders and Cowboys.  The kind of player you leave on the roster and forget; he’s done a fine job.

Zach Sieler (7^th, 2018) – One the Ravens should not have let get away.  He was waived in late 2019 and the Dolphins claimed him the next day.  He’s been there ever since and in my opinion, is their best defensive player right now, today.  A lot of these other stories are understandable, but that Sieler is not a Raven is a flat out mistake.  More trivia: he was Ozzie Newsome’s last draft pick as GM.

Za’Darius Smith (4^th, 2015) – A similar career arc to Matt Judon, who was drafted one year and one round later.  The Ravens let Smith sign for more money in Green Bay after his rookie deal, and Smith took advantage of his new team, making two Pro Bowls and one 2^nd Team All-Pro.  The followed that up with a Pro-Bowl, DPOY-type season with the Vikings in 2022.  He spent time in Cleveland and Detroit and is currently a FA, the same age as Judon (age 33 season).  He has a career 69 sacks, 333 tackles, 16 PD and 10 FF.

Brandon Stephens (3^rd, 2021) – The most obvious candidate to sign elsewhere for more money this off season, he did so with the Jets.  Our memories of him are still fresh.  He came on strong in 2023 as a CB2, but couldn’t top his performance the following season.  He has the reputation of sticking with his assignment but not sticking with the ball.  We will see if that issue ever resolves.

Geno Stone (7^th, 2020) – Sieler is the best player the Ravens have ever taken in Round 7, and Stone is the second best.  The team waived Stone too… but unlike Sieler, the Texans elected not to retain him after their claim.  Their mistake.  Stone improved each season with the Ravens before signing a FA deal with the Bengals.  He started all 17 games for them, but he struggled.  We will see if he does better this season in Cincy.

Tyrod Taylor (6^th, 2011) – Quarterbacks and kickers make up the elder statesmen on the list.  Taylor was Joe Flacco’s back up during their last Championship run.  Taylor also has a Pro Bowl to his credit, with the Bills in 2015.  He is regarded as one of the best backup QBs out there; enough that he’s started 58 games, and is exactly .500 as a starter (28-28-1).  He’s had a better career than most QBs drafted on day three this century.  He currently plays for the Jets, and don’t be surprised if he starts half the season.

Brent Urban (4^th, 2014) – It’s debatable whether he continues his Ravens career streak one year at a time, but that’s what he’s done for some time.  Urban feels like a Raven lifer.  After he retires he’ll hang around the facility asking what he can do.  Or maybe he’ll go into broadcasting?  He is however not a Raven lifer; he spent time with Tennessee, Chicago and Dallas from 2019-2021.  My guess, he signs with Baltimore again after OTAs and ends up with playing time this season due to injury on the depth chart.  Urban’s best claim to fame is blocking a FG that Will the Thrill Hill returned for a Kick Six against Cleveland, way back in 2015.

Shaun Wade (5^th, 2021) – Did not make the team in his rookie season.  The Patriots scooped him up and he played three seasons there, starting six games for them in 2023.  He is now on the Bears, fighting for a roster spot.

Darren Waller (6^th, 2015) – There have been articles written about Waller’s drug problems and his leaving Baltimore for the better.  Good for him.  After joining the Raiders in 2018, he exploded on the scene the following year, earning the first of two straight 1000-yard seasons and a Pro Bowl.  It all happened by switching his position from WR to TE.  He spent last season with the Giants, and… he shouldn’t be on this list because he retired.  Welp.  My bad.  But I’ll leave him here because of his story.

Christian Welch (UDFA, 2020) – Yet another UDFA LB, this time out of Iowa, who is primarily a special teams guy and started his first two career games last season, one for the Ravens and one for the Broncos.  For this season he signed with the Packers.  He’ll probably have a long career as long as he wants to be a special teamer.

Damarion “Pepe” Williams (4^th, 2022) – He looked so promising at first, but injuries derailed the start of his career.  The Ravens let him go prior to the 2024 season and the Seahawks picked him up.  He signed a futures deal with Seattle and they activated him in March.  Most of his career is still in front of him; we’ll see where it leads.

Darious Williams (UDFA, 2018) – The rare UDFA CB that turned into a stud, if briefly.  Williams won a championship while starting for the Rams in 2021.  He’s actually played in 10 playoff games between LA and Jacksonville.  He returned to LA in 2024 and is still there for the upcoming season, though at age 32 he may be a cut candidate.

Chris Wormley (3^rd, 2017) – Still hanging around, currently a FA.  As underwhelming a tenure he had with the Ravens, he’s still played in 87 NFL games, starting 31 of them between Baltimore, Pittsburgh and Carolina.  His best season was with the Steelers in 2021, bagging 7 sacks with 51 tackles and a FF.  There’s a chance he’s played his last game.

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