Over half a dozen made the cut but some the rankings are highly questionable.
There is no denying even despite a lot of turnover from what was the NFL’s most complete roster in 2023 this offseason, the Baltimore Ravens still have one of the league’s best and most talented rosters as currently constructed. As such, it makes perfect sense for them to be well-represented on any rankings list of the top players heading into this upcoming season.
On CBS Sports Pete Prisco’s list of Top 100 players of 2024, they tied with the reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs for the second most with seven. Both only trailed the runner-up San Francisco 49ers who have a league-high nine and a handful of honorable mentions.
While the inclusion of every Ravens player who made the cut was justified, some of their placements on the list are highly questionable.
QB Lamar Jackson: No. 16 (Ranked No. 35 in 2023)
“He won his second MVP last season, but the next step is getting his team to the Super Bowl,” Prisco wrote. “He has improved greatly as a passer, which should continue this season in Year 2 under OC Todd Monken.”
Having the Ravens’ franchise star signal caller rank outside the top 15 coming off of back-to-back injury-shortened seasons as he was the prior two years makes some sense. However, not having him in the top 10, let alone the top three or five after his second MVP-winning campaign is ridiculous. Not winning the Super Bowl should not be a big enough detraction for him to not be ranked as one of the best of the best in the NFL.
S Kyle Hamilton: No. 36 (Not ranked in 2023)
“He had his breakout season for a dominant Ravens defense in 2023. He can do a lot of things, which makes him so special,” Prisco wrote. “His versatility sets him apart from a lot of safeties in the league with his ability to rush, cover and play the run.”
Going from unranked to the top 40 is the biggest jump of any Raven who made the list and it was justified but one could make a strong argument Hamilton deserves to be ranked even higher. He is one of the most dynamic and disruptive defenders in the game who is still ascending and coming off one of the most elite seasons by a defensive back ever.
ILB Roquan Smith: No. 40 (Ranked No. 76 in 2023)
“Since coming over to the Ravens in a trade from Chicago in 2022, he has become a big-time playmaker on their defense,” Prisco wrote. “He can really run, which shows up on tape. He’s also a good blitzer.”
Jumping up 36 spots from being ranked outside the top 50 to inside of it is great but he is arguably the top off-ball linebacker in the league and doesn’t deserve to be ranked 18 spots behind Fred Warner of the 49ers.
DT Justin Madubuike: No. 46 (Not ranked in 2023)
“He had his breakout season playing inside for the Ravens, emerging as a dominant force on their defense with 13 sacks and showing off his ability to take over games,” Prisco wrote.
This ranking is acceptable given his small sample of truly elite production although he had been ascending each of his first three seasons in the league. Nevertheless, being viewed as a top-four defensive tackle in the wake of Aaron Donald’s retirement is a good come-up.
TE Mark Andrews: No. 61 (Ranked No. 53 in 2023)
“He was limited to 10 games last season because of a serious ankle injury suffered against the Bengals on a hip-drop tackle,” Prisco wrote. “He caught 45 passes in those games with six touchdowns.”
The three-time Pro Bowler was on pace for another career year before he suffered a severe ankle injury that knocked him out of commission until the AFC championship game. Had he not gone down, Andrews likely would’ve come in higher on this list ahead of Sam LaPorta of the Detroit Lions at least who came in at No. 58.
RB Derrick Henry: No. 91 (Ranked No. 30 in 2023)
“A new team should help give him a new start,” Prisco wrote. “Playing with Lamar Jackson will help his numbers. He was second in the league in rushing last year but this yards-per-carry average was down to 4.2.”
The four-time Pro Bowler’s precipitous drop of 61 spots is arguably just as egregious as his new quarterback being ranked outside the top five. Prisco acknowledged that Henry finished second in the league in rushing yards and cited his dip in yards per carry but neglected to realize both happened while he was running behind perhaps the worst blocking unit in the league. Even behind what will be a rebuilt offensive in Baltimore this upcoming season, it will be an upgrade over what he had in his final year with the Tennessee Titans and playing next to Jackson will take a lot of attention from him as well.
IOL Tyler Linderbaum: No. 100 (Not ranked in 2023)
“In his second season, he emerged as one of the league’s best centers,” Prisco wrote. “He is good in both the run game and pass protection, which helps key the offense.”
While going from unranked to ranked is good, just making the cut in the final spot and being the the third-ranked player at his position on the list is still a slight. With future first-ballot Hall of Famer Jason Kelce retired, the mantle for the league’s top center is up for grabs and Linderbaum could very well seize it in 2024.