The Baltimore Ravens bring in more competition for the backup quarterback spot behind two-time MVP starter Lamar Jackson.
This is despite Baltimore re-signing journeyman backup Josh Johnson but losing backup Tyler Huntley, who signed with the division rival Cleveland Browns this offseason.
They drafted 24-year-old Devin Leary from Kentucky in the sixth round of this past NFL Draft. Although he could get a roster spot along with the veteran for the Baltimore Ravens, a late-day three selection doesn’t mean much in the grander scheme of things.
After participating in tryouts for the Ravens this past weekend, Cincinnati quarterback Emory Jones gets a shot and signs with the team as an undrafted rookie free agent.
Baltimore Ravens: Sign UDFA Rookie QB Emory Jones
We have signed QB Emory Jones and DE C.J. Ravenell.
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) May 7, 2024
With the Gators as a true freshman in four games, Emory Jones was used as a package player as a backup behind Kyle Trask, who was with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. At 6’2″ and 211 pounds, he wasn’t the starter till 2021, when he played 13 games and 12 as the starter.
As a starter, Jones had 2,734 yards and 19 passing touchdowns to 13 interceptions at Florida after three seasons as a backup. On the ground, he had four touchdowns and 759 yards as a dual-threat type quarterback, along with a receiving touchdown in 2021.
After going 6-6 in his final season as a Gator, Jones entered the transfer portal and was the starter for the Sun Devils for the first seven games before he was replaced in 2022. For Arizona State, he went 1-6 and had 1,533 passing yards and seven 11 total touchdowns to four interceptions.
The 24-year-old was with Florida for four seasons before transferring to Arizona State in 2022 and Cincinnati this past year. Here are a few of his collegiate highlights on YouTube, courtesy of SimplyAS10.
Baltimore Ravens: Jones Had Shocking Debut in 2023
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In late 2022, Jones transferred again, this time to Cincinnati, committing under new head coach Scott Satterfield. He was a full-time starter for the Bear Cats, starting in 11 out of 12 games in 2023.
The redshirt senior had about the same season he had the final year in Florida but was not as good record-wise, only winning three games the whole year. However, Week One against Eastern Kentucky showcased a nuclear ceiling as his debut that he couldn’t replicate after that.
He had seven total touchdowns in the first half, tying the school record for a single game at Cincinnati as they beat the Colonels 66-10 in a historic first outing. Although Jones was sharp at Arizona State the previous year during that debut, this was on another level.
The former double transfer had no turnovers and went 19-of-23 with 345 yards in the air, throwing touchdowns to five different pass catchers while adding two touchdowns on the ground.
For the season, Jones threw for 2,219 yards and had 18 touchdowns but 10 interceptions, with four touchdowns and 560 yards on the ground. He had a completion percentage of 64.7, 62.8, and 61.2 in the final three seasons in college football for three different programs.
Baltimore Ravens: Third QB Backup Spot Up for Grabs
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With a good arm and mobility, Jones will provide great competition for training camp, as he profiles just as much, if not better than Leary or Malik Cunningham, who the Ravens aren’t committed to playing quarterback.
This just makes the camp battle more interesting if Leary can be pushed by Jones ultimately in Baltimore.
Devin Leary still has the upper hand, just because he was drafted and had one great season for N.C. State in 2021 before transferring to Kentucky in 2023. But the flier they took with Jones makes sense even with them drafting Leary and having veteran Josh Johnson as the direct backup on the roster for the Baltimore Ravens.
I see this as more of a two-way battle for the third quarterback spot over a three-way, as I am not sure what Cunningham’s role will be as a Raven.
The former Louisville quarterback Cunningham went undrafted in 2022 and didn’t work out with the New England Patriots. Now with Baltimore for now, they have mentioned the idea of him as a receiver since he’s struggled ever since Baltimore signed him late last season.
With the loss of Tyler Huntley, a former Pro Bowl quarterback, they needed to get more depth at the position. Although the Baltimore Ravens did draft on late day three of the NFL Draft, they usually have one undrafted rookie free agent make the team.
Emory Jones could be the one player this year, considering it is the most important position in football.
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