Despite having one of the finest quarterbacks in the game in Lamar Jackson, the Baltimore Ravens decided to take a late round gamble on a promising prospect. After selecting Trace McSorley in the sixth round of the 2019 draft, the Ravens had not selected a quarterback in the draft.
On Saturday, April 27, that all changed when general manager Eric DeCosta selected Kentucky quarterback Devin Leary with a sixth-round selection. The Raven Wire’s Dustin Cox of USA Today discussed the draft choice and DeCosta’s opinions regarding Jackson’s backup.
“After the draft, Baltimore general manager Eric DeCosta confirmed to the media that Josh Johnson, a veteran quarterback, will continue to be Lamar Jackson’s primary backup this season while Leary develops,” Cox said.
“Josh will be the backup quarterback, and I think Devin will develop,” DeCosta told the media, according to Cox.
Although it’s likely that Ravens supporters and the team will wish for Johnson and Leary to stay off the field this season, save from mop-up or preseason duty, DeCosta evidently thought it was time to take another chance on the position.
Even though Jackson is just 27 years old and recently had his second MVP season, general managers in the NFL are constantly considering the future.
Josh Johnson Continues to Lead Over Devin Leary for the Time Being
This free agency, the Ravens were looking for a backup quarterback for the first time in a few seasons.
In the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, Devin Leary of Kentucky was selected by the Baltimore Ravens with the 218th overall choice, but several fans were left wondering why, according to Cox.
“However, after Tyler Huntley left to join the Cleveland Browns in free agency, the Ravens needed an alternative low-cost backup quarterback position for the foreseeable future,” he continues.
“It’s not surprising Baltimore used a late-round pick on Leary, a five-year starter who threw 25 touchdown passes for Kentucky last season,” Hensley continues.
Malik Cunningham was signed by the Ravens for the 2023 season as a possible addition, but it seems like they are moving on from that.
“They’ve been noncommittal about his role this offseason,” Hensley wrote. The future of the former Louisville quarterback at the position in the NFL is unclear because he accepted a job as a wide receiver for Baltimore, according to Cox.
If Leary want to remain in the league as a long-term backup, he will need to address his faults. Hensley said, “Leary raises accuracy concerns. Among 69 eligible Power 5 quarterbacks, his 56% completion percentage from the previous season placed him 62nd; yet, Kentucky’s pass-catchers together had the highest drop rate in Power 5 (8.5%).
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