Undrafted free agent rookie Jay Higgins IV did all he could to make the Baltimore Ravens 53-man roster, but it still might not be enough.
Despite universal praise for his play in the Ravens‘ three preseason games, Higgins is on the roster bubble entering the Aug. 26 cutdown day, and one prominent team insider believes Higgins will be an odd man out when the roster is completed.
Ravens UDFA Jay Higgins On Roster Bubble Despite Performance
The Athletic’s Ravens reporter, Jeff Zrebiec, recently published his final 53-man roster projection. He made the tough decision of keeping Higgins off the roster despite a fantastic training camp and preseason performance.
“Higgins, an All-American at Iowa, has created two preseason turnovers and shown that he should have been drafted despite size/speed concerns,” Zrebiec wrote on Aug. 23. ” … It may come down to the Ravens keeping an extra inside linebacker or an extra defensive back, and it’s tough to deny (cornerback) Keyon Martin.
Also working against Higgins is the fact that Ravens head coach John Harbaugh has already announced linebacker Jake Hummel, another bubble player, will make the team despite an injury. Harbaugh loves special teams, and Hummel certainly will contribute there when healthy.
Ravens’ Numbers Game Working Against Higgins?
If Baltimore does cut Higgins loose, that’s more a reflection of the strength of the roster than anything else. In addition to Hummel, the Ravens also have established veterans like Roquan Smith and Trenton Smith as well as 2025 fourth-round pick Teddye Buchanan locked in at the inside linebacker position.
Granted, that won’t make Higgins feel any better, especially given how much he has done in his limited time at the NFL level.
It sure sounds like defensive coordinator Zach Orr would love to keep him onboard.
“His resume speaks for itself, he should have been drafted, but measurables probably knocked him down,” Orr admitted to reporters on Aug. 20. “He’s definitely athletic enough (and) fast enough to play at this level. (When) you combine that with his IQ and playmaking ability; he keeps it going. There’s no reason why he shouldn’t play a long time in this league. He works at it. He works hard. I am just very pleased with him.”
Higgins has also become a Pro Football Focus darling. He earned an eyebrow-raising 90.3 overall grade for his preseason work, the highest grade among rookie linebackers. Additionally, PFF’s Mason Coleman listed Higgins as an emerging rookie to watch at linebacker.
Despite going undrafted, first-year linebacker Jay Higgins is proving he belongs at the NFL level,” Coleman wrote. “The former Hawkeyes linebacker is making plays all over the field, evidenced by his 90.3 PFF overall grade with highlight plays in multiple facets. He’s best suited as a late-down rush and cover linebacker, having already produced a turnover in each of his first two outings — a strip sack and an interception.”
Ravens Fans Want Higgins on Roster
A quick spin through social media will tell you how Ravens fans feel about Higgins. A small sampling of the support the 23-year-old received leading up to cutdown day:
Not the best linebacker, not the best defensive player. He was THE best player. You have to keep him.
Of course, there’s no shortage of players, especially unheralded rookies, who flourished in the preseason, making the most of their opportunities against backups, only to struggle against starters.
Higgins might ultimately fall into that category, but given what he’s proved so far, that will come somewhere else if Baltimore cuts him. Based on his performance, he’ll get another shot somewhere else to start the season.
Ravens UDFA Rookie Could Be Surprise Cut Despite Preseason Dominance