OTL: OLB Burke, QB Fagnano Latest UDFA to Survive Final Cut in Baltimore

For the 22nd time in 23 seasons, the Baltimore Ravens’ initial 53-man roster will include at least one undrafted rookie free agent.

This year, it features two: Former UConn quarterback Joe Fagnano and former Texas outside linebacker Ethan Burke, who both defied all odds with impressive preseason performances.

The best moment every year

EDC tells undrafted rookies @joefagnano and @eburke4lax that they’ve officially made the 53-man roster: pic.twitter.com/uyKmhBNbyn

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 31, 2026

Fagnano, 25, will serve as Baltimore’s No. 3 quarterback behind two-time MVP Lamar Jackson and his backup Tyler Huntley as the team carries three passers for the first time since 2020. Even with immediate needs at other positions, keeping the former Husky on the active roster was a priority for general manager Eric DeCosta and the front office after his standout preseason.

Fagnano finished the three-game stint with a league-leading 509 passing yards on 6.8 yards per attempt and a 74.7% completion percentage. He tossed three touchdowns to one interception and a 100.4 passer rating, finishing as one of 15 quarterbacks to post a passer rating over 100 this preseason (min. 25 dropbacks).

The 25-year-old was presented an opportunity with Baltimore via rookie minicamp invite as a tryout player. He was not even included on the team’s initial class of undrafted free agent signees, but was later added to the roster after impressing at rookie minicamp.

Just weeks ago, Fagnano was battling with veteran Skylar Thompson for practice reps. Now, the Pennsylvania-native, who logged 3,448 passing yards, 28 touchdowns and just one interception in his final season with UConn, is the first undrafted rookie quarterback in Ravens history to make an initial 53-man roster.

With a growing need for backup quarterbacks around the league, Fagnano very well could have been poached should he have reached waivers during the cutdown window, especially considering he was one of the best passers in the league during the preseason. Instead, Baltimore will carry the rookie as an emergency quarterback into their Week 1 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts.

Meanwhile on defense, the Ravens also possessed a standout undrafted rookie.

Burke, a 6-foot-6 OLB from Texas, forced a league-leading two fumbles this preseason, including one on the first play of the Washington Commanders’ opening drive during Friday’s preseason finale. The 23-year-old also totaled a sack and two pressures during his impressive three-game set.

Burke, who was initially committed to the University of Maryland for lacrosse before later decommitting, signed a three-year contract with the Ravens in April after a 26-pressure senior year with the Longhorns. The rookie, who actually has local ties (see below post from Keith Mills), worked his way up the ladder through practice, accentuated by a remarkable series of highlights during the team’s joint practice with the Commanders prior to their preseason matchup.

Just learned that Ravens rookie Ethan Burke actually grew up in Pasadena Md. played youth football for the Pasadena Panthers. His Dad Zack played lacrosse 1st at Chesapeake HS & then Arch. Spalding & then UMBC, met his wife Jill & later moved to Calif. & then Texas. Small world

— Keith Mills (@KeithMills1090) August 29, 2026

Many in Charm City speculated that Burke could be waived and retained on the practice squad to make room for former third-rounder Adisa Isaac given that it would be much more difficult for Isaac to clear waivers. Instead, the former Longhorn outperformed Isaac, whom the Ravens selected 93rd overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Instead, the Ravens waived Isaac Sunday morning, making him the fourth member of the Ravens’ 2024 draft class to part ways with the organization. Baltimore’s edge room now consists of Burke, Trey Hendrickson, Mike Green, Tavius Robinson and Zion Young.

This season marks the first time since 2018 and 2019 that the multiple undrafted rookie free agents successfully made the Ravens’ initial 53-man roster in back-to-back seasons.

A year ago, Baltimore’s roster featured the likes of linebacker Jay Higgins, cornerback Keyon Martin and safety Reuben Lowery, all of whom paved their way to the roster through impressive training camps and preseasons. Higgins and Martin will maintain their spot on the team’s roster this season.

The Ravens have sent four undrafted rookies to the Pro Bowl in the last 23 seasons: fullback Patrick Ricard, linebacker Zach Orr, kicker Justin Tucker and long snapper Morgan Cox. While Fagnano and Burke have a long way to go before they even see significant regular season snaps, Baltimore has continued its trend of identifying and developing undrafted talent.

How do you feel about these two undrafted rookies being included in Baltimore’s initial 53-man roster? Is their recognition deserved or should DeCosta have utilized the roster spots elsewhere?

The post OTL: OLB Burke, QB Fagnano Latest UDFA to Survive Final Cut in Baltimore appeared first on Russell Street Report.

Source: https://russellstreetreport.com/2026/08/31/out-to-lunch/fagnano-burke/