Ravens News 7/11: Resurgent King

Ranking NFL team WR, TE, RB talent for 2024 season: Top players

Bill Barnwell, ESPN

15. Baltimore Ravens

2023 rank: 15 | 2022 rank: 25

Do the Ravens have a big three? There’s a scenario in which it plays out that way. Zay Flowers was promising as a rookie, although it was in more of a gadget role than you would expect from a traditional top wide receiver. Mark Andrews has been excellent when healthy, but that 1,361-yard season from 2021 is close to double what he has averaged across his other five NFL seasons, often owing to injuries and limited snap counts. While recognizing he’s capable of elite performance, it’s tough to believe Andrews is going to be a 1,300-yard receiver again in 2024. (Having Isaiah Likely here as a backup is valuable, given that he might be a top-20 receiving tight end in his own right.)

Derrick Henry’s move from the Titans to the Ravens will be fascinating. The top-end acceleration that made him a sensation at his peak probably isn’t there anymore, as the running back who gained 30 yards or more once every 52 carries between 2019 and 2020 has done that once every 106 carries since. In the passing game, he has never been more than a change of pace who can terrify defensive backs on screens, and while he didn’t fumble last season, he fumbled six times in 2022.

A resurgent Henry would go a long way for Baltimore. The organization has talked up Rashod Bateman this offseason, but it’s tough to find many wide receivers who have been this unproductive through three seasons, even allowing for injuries, who have then broken out in Year 4. More than anything, given how many times the Ravens had had their playmakers go down the past few years, let’s just hope for a full season with Henry, Flowers and Andrews all on the field together.

Ranking the Ravens’ best players in 2024: Lamar Jackson is clear No. 1, but who’s behind him?

Jonas Shaffer, The Baltimore Banner

8. TE Mark Andrews

Andrews’ speedy recovery from leg and ankle injuries last season cleared the way for an unlikely playoff comeback. Upon his AFC championship game return, however, it was obvious that he was still limited (two catches for 15 yards) — and that he was still needed. Without Andrews, an imposing and instinctive target who could’ve probed the Kansas City Chiefs’ defense for soft spots and won against their physical coverage, Jackson lacked a safety net over the middle.

In offseason workouts, Andrews looked like his old, dominant self again. Even his relatively quiet 2023 season — a career-low 544 receiving yards in 10 games — was quietly impressive. Andrews had a career-best 73.8% catch rate and finished second among qualifying tight ends in touchdowns (six), third in yards per route run and third in expected points added per target, according to TruMedia.

2. S Kyle Hamilton

Hamilton’s importance to the Ravens last season was never more apparent than when he was missing. With the All-Pro on the field, Baltimore’s defense allowed 4.4 yards per play, averaged 0.16 EPA per play and had a success rate of 63.8%, all of which would’ve ranked in the top two leaguewide, according to TruMedia. When Hamilton was off the field, the Ravens allowed 5.4 yards per play, averaged 0.03 EPA per play and had a success rate of 57.5%, all of which would’ve ranked in the bottom half of the league.

Defensive coordinator Zach Orr called Hamilton the “ultimate chess piece.” Few can match his versatility; according to PFF, he played at least 200 snaps in three spots last year: in the slot, in the box and as a deep safety, along with another 51 snaps along the line of scrimmage. Even Hamilton’s losses in coverage against Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce in the AFC championship game were offset by stretches of brilliance elsewhere. He turned one second-quarter drive into a three-and-out almost single-handedly, providing tight coverage on a deep shot, a quick tackle on a screen pass and a quarterback pressure off a slot blitz. In Year 3, Hamilton could be an NFL Defensive Player of the Year dark horse.

Best 2024 NFL offseason decision by every AFC team

Trevor Sikkema, PFF

BALTIMORE RAVENS: RE-SIGNING JUSTIN MADUBUIKE

The Derrick Henry signing got more publicity, as it should, with Henry and Lamar Jacksonset to strike fear into defensive coordinators everywhere. However, retaining Justin Madubuike was Baltimore’s biggest offseason move.

The Ravens’ secondary is budding and anchored by linebacker Roquan Smith in the middle, but they Madubuike’s pass-rushing abilities are vital to the defense’s overall efficacy. He is coming off career bests in PFF pass-rush grade (79.6) and run-defense grade (66.9). His consistency is what helps him be such a force, as he recorded at least half a sack in 11 straight games last year.

Training Camp Competition: Inside Linebacker

Clifton Brown, BaltimoreRavens.com

Best Battle

Board has returned to Baltimore after two years away in Detroit and New England and has the inside track to make the 53-man roster as a special teams ace. However, he will be challenged by Ross, another special teams standout who’s fighting for a role after being primarily a practice squad player last year.

Under the Radar

Harrison has become a major part of the linebacker rotation due to his talent and versatility. He can play inside and outside and played 21% of the defensive snaps last season. He also saw more special teams snaps (307) in 2023 than anyone returning to Baltimore’s roster. Queen played nearly 100% of the snaps last season, and Harrison could help pick up the slack if the Ravens don’t thrust Simpson into a three-down role.

Ravens OLB Kyle Van Noy: ‘We Have A Chance To Repent For Our Sins This Year’

Colin McNamara, PressBox

“I think it’s more [painful now] because I know what the other side feels like,” he said. “I know the opportunity that we had. I felt it a lot. I think I told a lot of people that I didn’t leave my house for a week. I was really that devastated because I hate losing. … It’s just a disappointment when you get to that stage and you don’t win the championship because that’s the goal, but I think it was a good learning experience for everybody.”

“I know last year was a little disappointing, but we have a chance to repent for our sins this year,” Van Noy said.