For 10 consecutive weekdays leading into the start of training camp on July 28, The Baltimore Sun is taking a position-by-position look at the Ravens roster, the players who are locks and long shots and those on the bubble.
The countdown started at the position with the least intriguing roster competition and will end at the most spirited.
We've already looked at quarterback (July 13), defensive line (July 14), offensive line (July 15), tight ends (Monday), inside linebackers (Tuesday) and cornerbacks (yesterday). Today, we'll examine outside linebackers:
How many they'll keep: 5
Locks if healthy: Terrell Suggs, Elvis Dumervil, Za'Darius Smith, Kamalei Correa, Matt Judon
On the bubble: Victor Ochi, Chris Carter
Long shots: Brennen Beyer, Mario Ojemudia
Skinny: This is a hard position to project for the Ravens because it isn't clear when Suggs and Dumervil will be ready to return and the team has moved around Correa, the second-round draft pick out of Boise State. Suggs tore his Achilles last September and hasn't been seen on the field – or been heard from – since. He is scheduled to speak to reporters next Wednesday on the eve of the team's first full-squad practice of training camp. It would be a moderate surprise if the 33-year-old is ready to practice on day one of camp.
Dumervil had foot surgery after last season and acknowledged last month that he could miss part of training camp. In a perfect world, Suggs and Dumervil, the two bookend veteran pass rushers, would enter the season as the starters.
Smith, who improved steadily last season and finished with 5 1/2 sacks, would fill the role of the departed Courtney Upshaw and play on obvious running downs, giving Dumervil a break. That would give defensive coordinator Dean Pees the luxury of picking his spots with Correa and Judon, two extremely productive college pass rushers last season.
Suggs and Dumervil are 33 and 32 years old respectively, so they figure to see a decrease in snaps either way. That's why the Ravens drafted Correa and Judon, and foresee Smith having an even bigger role in his sophomore season.
The wild card here is Ochi, who was a priority free agent after surprisingly going undrafted out of Stony Brook. He's raw but explosive and the Ravens abhor cutting loose young pass rushers. Carter is a quality special teams player, always an important factor to consider in forecasting the Ravens roster.