The Ravens may be getting more than just a pass-rush project out of Ethan Burke. The undrafted rookie is making his case in a hurry, and the strongest argument for him might not even be what he does off the edge.
With roster cutdown day getting close, Burke is forcing his way into the conversation for the 53-man roster. He’s in the mix with Adisa Isaac for what could be the fifth and final outside linebacker spot, and the recent tape has only helped his cause.
Burke was arguably Baltimore’s best player in the Week 2 preseason win over the Minnesota Vikings, where he made life miserable for the opposing quarterback. Then, in Wednesday’s joint practice with the Washington Commanders, he flashed in a different phase: special teams.
That’s where Burke has always stood out. His best trait has never been his pass-rush or run defense. It’s his ability to impact special teams, and that skill set appears to be carrying over to the NFL.
Against Washington, he blew up kickoff coverage and, according to ESPN’s Jamison Hensley, put three Commanders players on the ground on one play. That kind of impact is the sort of thing that gets coaches’ attention fast.
Burke’s college résumé backs up the buzz. Over four seasons at Texas, he posted 26.5 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks, but the more eye-catching number is his 90.6 special teams grade from Pro Football Focus.
He played on every special teams unit and made his presence felt across the board. His biggest moments came on the field goal block team, where he blocked three kicks.
At 6-foot-6, Burke brings size, effort and a real knack for changing plays when the specialists come on. That matters because, as good as he’s looked chasing quarterbacks in camp and preseason, those chances won’t come nearly as often once the regular season starts. Special teams reps will.
And that may be where Burke separates himself. He doesn’t just look like a contributor there. He looks like someone who could become an ace.
That’s a valuable path in Baltimore, where special teams has long been a priority. That approach may shift a bit now that Jesse Minter is calling the shots instead of John Harbaugh, but it should still matter. If it does, Burke has a clear opening to turn this strong summer into a spot on the 53-man roster.
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There is also a fresh coaching structure around him as Baltimore tries to help that rushing element return in a bigger way. The Ravens brought in Jesse Minter as head coach and Declan Doyle as offensive coordinator, two changes that could influence how often Jackson is asked to carry the offense with his legs. For a team that knows how different it looks when Jackson is attacking downhill, the early signs point to a season built around restoring a familiar edge. [Read more 🡒]