Three Undrafted Rookies Beat the Odds to Make the Team
This NFL season was expected to be tough for undrafted rookies. With a stacked roster and 11 drafted players, many believed it would be hard for any undrafted players to land a spot on the 53-man roster.
Yet, three players proved everyone wrong: safety Reuben Lowery III, inside linebacker Jay Higgins IV, and cornerback Keyon Martin. Their hard work and standout performances during the preseason earned them a spot on the team.
Higgins had a notable preseason with an interception and a game-winning pass breakup. Lowery shined with another interception in his second game. Martin impressed with a safety in Dallas and a pick-six in the final game. These plays were crucial in showing their talent.
What’s even more remarkable? This marks the Ravens’ streak of having at least one undrafted rookie on the roster for 21 of the past 22 years. This achievement highlights the team’s strong scouting and development practices.
Each player came from a different background. Higgins was an All-American at Iowa, yet he lacked offers from other teams. Lowery came from Tennessee-Chattanooga, while Martin was discovered during rookie camp after playing at Louisiana-Lafayette. Even with the competitive nature of scouting today, the Ravens found real talent.
Head Coach John Harbaugh commented on their success: “We have a great system. If I were an agent, I’d want to send players to Baltimore. They’ll be coached well and get a real chance.”
Of course, injuries played a big role in their opportunities. The Ravens put two rookies on injured reserve, opening up spots for these undrafted players. Despite having to part ways with veteran cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis and others, the Ravens chose to keep the new talent.
The Ravens have a history of finding diamonds in the rough among undrafted players. It’ll be interesting to see how Lowery, Higgins, and Martin perform in the long run, but making the team is already a huge accomplishment.
Recent stats show that around 33% of players in the NFL are undrafted. This proves that talent can come from anywhere, and dedication often pays off. Players and fans alike are excited to see how these rookies contribute to the team this season.
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