Examining the Baltimore Ravens' roster:
Quarterbacks (2)
The Ravens are set with Flacco as the starter and Taylor as the backup. The decision here is whether to carry three quarterbacks. If the Ravens limit Keith Wenning's playing time in preseason games (reducing the amount of tape other teams see of him), it may be an indication that the team is going to try to sneak the rookie sixth-round pick onto the practice squad.
Running backs (4)
Rice, Pierce and Juszczyk are locks to make the team. Taliaferro is a near certainty as well, especially after the rookie fourth-round pick led the team in rushing in the preseason opener. Rice has been suspended for the first two games of the season, which allows the Ravens to carry Forsett.
Receivers (5)
Torrey Smith, Steve Smith, Brown and Jones are going to make the roster. Aiken continues to build a strong case for making the team. Slot receiver Michael Campanaro, a seventh-round pick, has shown flashes but can't stay healthy. Putting him on injured reserve at the end of the preseason is a possibility.
Tight ends (3)
No major decisions at this position. The Ravens' top three tight ends are guaranteed to make the team, barring injury. Pitta, though, is clearly the No. 1 tight end. Daniels hasn't been sharp in training camp.
Offensive linemen (10)
Monroe, Osemele, Zuttah and Yanda are the guaranteed starters, and Wagner did well in the preseason opener as the new starting right tackle. Gradkowski and Shipley, two starters from last season, appear safe. Jensen has struggled and is moving himself on the wrong side of the bubble. Reid makes the team as the top backup at tackle. John Urschel is now sharing second-team reps at guard with Jensen. James Hurst, an undrafted rookie tackle, looks to be headed to the practice squad.
Defensive linemen (6)
Ngata, Canty and Williams have been the starters in training camp. Jernigan and Tyson are the Ravens' top two backups. Injuries are hurting the Ravens' depth at defensive end. After Brent Urban was lost for the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament, Kapron Lewis- Moore suffered a likely season-ending Achilles injury. This would open a spot for either undrafted rookie Derrick Hopkins or Terrence Cody. Because Cody is on the physically unable to perform list, the nod goes to Hopkins right now.
LINEBACKERS (10)
There won't be much change here because the Ravens return every linebacker from last season's team. The only addition is Mosley, the No. 17 overall pick in this year's draft. By not keeping a third quarterback, the Ravens create room to keep a strong special teams player like McClellan.
Cornerbacks (5)
After the starting duo of Smith and Webb, there is a major dropoff. Asa Jackson has become the frontrunner for the No. 3 cornerback job but he sustained a minor ankle injury that could force him to miss the second preseason game. Chykie Brown makes the team even though he's struggled most of camp. Jacobs gets the final spot as a developmental corner, but his spot may be temporary. There's a good chance that the Ravens will sign a veteran who is released at the end of the preseason.
Safeties (5)
Elam and Stewart remain the starters. Miles and Levine are core special teams players. Brooks, a rookie third-round pick, is starting to move up the depth chart. The Ravens can keep Hill on the suspended list. He has had a good camp but he isn't eligible to play in the regular season until the middle of October.
Specialists (3)
Justin Tucker (K)
Sam Koch (P)
Morgan Cox (LS)
There is no drama on special teams. Tucker, Koch and Cox team up for the third straight season.