7 unsung heroes from Ravens 2024 season

Players whose contributions either flew under the radar or weren’t heralded enough but were integral to the team’s overall success.

While the Baltimore Ravens fell short of the Super Bowl, the 2024 season still produced success. They won double-digit games for the third straight year and claimed consecutive AFC North titles for the first time since the 2019-2020 season. They did so thanks to several of their less-heralded players on both sides of the ball.

This article highlights the unsung heroes—the players whose contributions went unnoticed or weren’t lauded enough, yet impactful.

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DB Ar’Darius Washington

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After being plagued with injuries in his first three seasons in the league, the 2021 undrafted free agent played a significant role in the complete 180-degree turnaround of a Ravens’ pass defense that ranked dead last through the first 10 weeks. Washington supplanted high-priced veteran Marcus Williams in the starting lineup next to two-time Pro Bowler Kyle Hamilton and never looked back.

The undersized defensive back went from being a stabilizing force to a proven playmaker as he broke out down the second-half stretch of the season and into the playoffs. Washington tied and set career highs across the board in total tackles (64), tackles for loss (5), interceptions (2), pass deflections (8), sacks (1), quarterback hits (2) and forced fumbles (1). Whether the Ravens add another safety to play a prominent role this offseason, Washington has earned the opportunity to maintain a full-time role in 2025 and beyond.

RB Justice Hill

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The star of the Ravens backfield in 2024 was five-time Pro Bowl newcomer Derrick Henry. However, Hill’s role as the Ravens’ spell-back helped them field one of the best two-minute and up-tempo offenses in the league. His ability as a pass protector when it came to picking up blitzes and aiding offensive tackles with chip help often went overlooked.

Hill’s prowess as both a dangerous and reliable weapon in the passing game on check downs, routes downfield and screens was vital to numerous drives being extended and staying on schedule. He was a nice change-of-pace complement to Henry in the running game. Even though his rushing total of 228 fell short of his career-high total from 2023, Hill amassed more receiving yards than every other year of his career combined (383) to go along with three touchdowns.

OLB Tavius Robinson

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As a rookie in 2023, Robinson carved out a role for himself on defense as an early-down edge setter against the run. In his second season, he grew to contributing toward the Ravens’ pass rush as well. Robinson more than tripled his sack and quarterback hit totals from his first year.

He appeared in every game, made a career-high seven starts and was a staple on special teams, playing 56% of the team’s total after being on the field for 52% as a rookie. Every generation of the Ravens’ defense has a player who does the dirty work and sets the tone on the edge and Robinson’s assumed the mantle.

WR Tylan Wallace

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The fourth-year pro didn’t get many opportunities to contribute as a pass catcher in 2024 but he made the absolute most of them when they came his way. Wallace set new career highs by catching 11 of his 12 targets for 193 receiving yards and led the team with 17.5 yards per catch. The five first downs he picked up came in clutch situations and his first career receiving touchdown helped the Ravens pull within one point of a tight game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 10.

ILB Malik Harrison & Chris Board

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In addition to being aces on special teams all season, the two veterans helped fill the void left in the middle of the defense created by the departure of the 2023 Pro Bowler and Second Team All-Pro Patrick Queen. After he defected to the Pittsburgh Steelers in free agency, second-year pro Trenton Simpson was given every opportunity to cement his starting role next to three-time First Team All-Pro Roquan Smith. But starting in Week 12, the Ravens started platooning with Harrison and Board, and eventually they phased the 2023 third-rounder out of the rotation entirely.

Harrison split his time between SAM linebacker on early downs to help set the edge against the run and played off-ball in obvious pass downs. Combined, they made eight starts and recorded 84 total tackles including five for a loss, four quarterback hits and three sacks.

OL Patrick Mekari

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The versatile veteran opened the season as the starting right tackle but was in a two-man rotation with second-round rookie Roger Rosengarten. An ankle injury suffered by second-year pro Andrew Vorhees resulted in him shifting over to play left guard. He played so consistently well that he didn’t relinquish the job the rest of the season. Mekari proved he could do more than just fill in at one of the five spots if and when needed. He stayed healthy and started every game, bringing consistency and continuity to a revamped blocking unit that let three starters walk in free agency last offseason. After the season he had in 2024, Mekari might be in line for a nice pay raise elsewhere if the Ravens don’t make a push to re-sign him.