The Baltimore Ravens are just a day away from starting the 2024 regular season as they travel to Kansas City to take on the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs. The Ravens have had some turnover on their roster from 2023 to now, with the losses of Gus Edwards, J.K. Dobbins, Kevin Zeitler, Patrick Queen, and Geno Stone to name a few.
Additionally, those losses came with some key additions in running back Derrick Henry and 2024 first round pick, cornerback Nate Wiggins, as well as the emergence of second-year player, linebacker Trenton Simpson. While the Ravens hope to make a return to the AFC title game this season, lets look at some bold predictions for the Ravens in 2024 that will help get them there.
Derrick Henry will have have at least 15 rushing touchdowns
Former Ravens running back Gus Edwards had 13 rushing touchdowns in 2023, a mark that will surely be passed this season by newcomer Derrick Henry. Derrick Henry is no stranger to the end zone as the two-time NFL rushing leader has found the end zone 90 times on the ground in his career. Henry comes over to the Ravens in 2024 from the Tennessee Titans where Henry spent his first eight seasons in the NFL. In those eight seasons in Tennessee, Henry twice surpassed 15 rushing touchdowns, with 16 coming in 2019, and his career high of 17 coming in 2020.
Just last season Henry had 12 rushing touchdowns, and with the always dangerous threat of quarterback Lamar Jackson using his legs, the Ravens rushing attacked speared by Henry should give the veteran back plenty of space and opportunity to find the end zone. By doing so, Henry will surpass Jamal Lewis and his Ravens single season record of 14 rushing touchdowns set back in 2003.
Nate Wiggins will win defensive rookie of the year
The 6’1″, 183 Ibs cornerback from Clemson fell right into the lap of the Ravens with their 30th pick in this past April’s NFL draft. Wiggins received first team All-ACC honors in 2023 recording 29 total tackles, six pass deflections, and two interceptions, one of which going for a touchdown. Wiggins 4.28 40-yard dash was the fastest among cornerbacks at this years combine.
But its not just what Wiggins did at Clemson or at the combine that makes him a prime candidate for defensive rookie of the year. It was his play in the preseason both in coverage and his willingness to make come up and make tackles that will make the NFL world wonder how he fell so late to the Ravens for not only this year, but years to come.
Ravens will have the #1 defense in the NFL
The 2023 Ravens defense ranked in the top half of the league in every major statistical category finishing the season sixth in total defense giving up just over 300 yards per game. Although the Ravens lost some key pieces such as the previously mentioned Patrick Queen. The increased role of Trenton Simpson and addition of Nate Wiggins in the secondary, along with continued health along the defensive line and among their outside linebackers the Ravens should once again be near the top in total sacks which will help rank them near the top spot in total defense.
In order for the Ravens to become the #1 defense in the NFL again one areas that needs improvement is their rush defense. In 2023 the Ravens allowed 109 yards per game through the ground, 14th best in the NFL. The Ravens secondary has a lot of playmakers and depth, but so too does the Ravens front seven one that will undoubtedly give up fewer rushing yards in 2024 on their way to being the best defense in the NFL.
Rashad Bateman will have a career high in receiving yards and touchdowns
Rashad Bateman has struggled to stay on the field in his first three seasons with the Ravens, but fresh off a new contract extension this offseason, and a fairly healthy preseason, Bateman looks primed to have the best season of his young career.
To this point Bateman’s rookie season has been his best as a pro. In a season that saw him play just 12 games, Bateman accumulated 515 receiving yards on 46 receptions, and adding one touchdown. Health will remain the key for Bateman in 2024, and if he can do that its clear he will not only surpass those career highs, but be one of the Ravens top pass catchers in 2024.
Kyle Hamilton will lead the Ravens in interceptions
2023 was a breakout season for Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton as he showed the NFL world why he was a top 15-pick in 2022. Hamilton combined for 81 total tackles, three sacks, one forced fumble, and 13 pass deflections last season. But the one stat that jumps off the page that Hamilton will surpass in 2024 is his number of interceptions.
Last season Hamilton amassed four interceptions, second on the team to fellow safety Geno Stone. Hamilton’s ability to always be around the ball and at times single handedly destroy opposing offenses drives will show even more in 2024 as he will not only get more than four interceptions this season, but lead the Ravens in that category.
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