Earlier this week, the Baltimore Ravens granted spots on the 53-man roster to three different undrafted free agent rookies. Reuben Lowery, Keyon Martin, and Jay Higgins IV each burst onto the scene this summer and exceeded expectations. After making a strong impression in training camp, this trio were leading defensive playmakers for the Ravens in the preseason and made a number of highlight plays.
Ultimately, their performances punched their ticket to the active roster and convinced the Ravens to keep them over some other bubble players. Now that they’re set to be on the 53-man squad for the regular season, the question begs: which of the three UDFAs will make the biggest impact for the Ravens in 2025?
The answer to this will ultimately come down to path to playing time and which player maximizes their snaps the most.
Today’s Question of the Day is:
Which UDFA will make the biggest impact for the Ravens in 2025?
My Answer: DB Reuben Lowery
From the onset of this spring to now, Lowery has had the most linear and consistent path of the three. He began flashing early on and continued an upward trajectory. His performance in the preseason served to reinforce what he had displayed throughout rookie minicamp and training camp, where he had already begun to emerge as a possible candidate to make the team.
Higgins and Martin came on strong towards the end of the summer and made more of a late push to make the team. That’s especially true for the latter, as Martin originally joined the Ravens after a tryout back in the spring. He climbed in the depth chart in a huge way and his standout preseason showing forced the team’s hand.
In terms of which player has the best path for a starting role and/or significant defensive playing time, that answer is probably Higgins. The Ravens are deeper at both cornerback and safety than they are at inside linebacker, and Higgins could possibly push for snaps alongside Roquan Smith. However, that will only be true if Trenton Simpson again struggles in a starting role and does not progress from last season. Based on what we saw in the preseason, Simpson appears primed to improve.
Lowery, meanwhile, is set for a primary backup free safety role behind Malaki Starks. He’s also versatile enough to play cornerback as well and, as a denominator, will almost surely handle a lot of snaps on special teams. Lowery would only assume starting-caliber reps in the event of an injury to either Starks or Hamilton. However, he could be given a handful of occasional snaps in three-safety alignments alongside this pair.
Martin is almost squarely a nickel/slot defender and his path to playing time likely stems from special teams only, unless there are multiple injuries at the cornerback spot. Between his guaranteed special teams role and potential for an increasing defensive role, Lowery is the safest option to make a consistent impact in 2025.
Do you agree that Lowery will be the biggest contributor between these three? Or do you think Higgins or Martin will make a greater impact? Share your thoughts below and discuss!
