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Top 5 Position Battles For The Baltimore Ravens

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Jobs typically aren't won or lost in OTAs, or even during the minicamps, but surely every practice counts. The Ravens are fully stocked at almost every position right now, but that doesn't mean all of their prime draft picks and top-notch trades will make the final cut.

Let's take a look at the top five positions that have the most competition for the team and who is there to compete. 

The positions that are most interesting are:

Running Back

The best guess is that Buck Allen and rookie Kenneth Dixon are locked in. It could be Justin Forsett needing to fend off the host of challengers including the determined Trent Richardson, Lorenzo Taliaferro and Terrance West. They surely can't keep them all, especially if the Ravens keep four tight ends.

Tight End

At the tight end position, anybody could really be at the top of the list between players like Benjamin Watson, Crockett Gillmore, Maxx Williams and Dennis Pitta. It could very well be that the Ravens keep them all with Pitta being active, but limited. Nick Boyle has been suspended ten games, with that in mind, do you think that will effect the decision?

Wide Receiver

Wide receiver is also wide open. The likely keepers will be Steve Smith and Kamar Aiken, both put up some big numbers last season, even despite injuries. We will probably see Mike Wallace on the field as well, but then there's Breshad Perriman coming back from injury, Keenan Reynolds transitioning from record-breaking quarterback to wide receiver, Michael Campanaro and more. So, who makes the team?

Left tackle/Left guard 

Eugene Monroe was released by the Ravens earlier this week. With that decision made, it seems the first round drat pick Ronnie Stanley will be moving on up, but there's also John Urschel, Ryan Jensen, rookie Alex Lewis and Vlad Ducasse competing for the positions.

Cornerback(s)

At cornerback, Shareece Wright has fierce company with Jerraud Powers, Will Davis, Kyle Arrington, rookie Tavon Young and more. Jimmy Smith is a given and the Ravens expect big things from him this season, and Powers, an experienced veteran will likely be in the lineup too. Davis is coming back from an ACL injury so we'll see how he does.

The Ravens are finished practice until training camp, and there are still many questions to be answered. Will Webb's conversion to safety go smoothly? Can Matt Elam return from his injury and claim a spot on the roster? We'll have to wait until the end of July to see.

 

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