Coming into the 2023 season, which is basically like going back to school for the NFL, the Baltimore Ravens have some of the most talented players in football on their roster. New additions on offense like Odell Beckham Jr. and Zay Flowers will help open things up for dynamic QB Lamar Jackson, and their dominating defense led by Marlon Humphrey and Roquan Smith shows no signs of slowing down.
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Heading into another season with high expectations, these are the Baltimore Raven’s five best players in 2023.
A More Balanced Roster
Over the past two seasons, the Ravens have been led by a loaded defense, which played a key role in keeping the team competitive during Jackson’s extended injury absences.
Now, with multiple upgrades at key skill positions and a new offensive coordinator in Todd Monken, this roster is looking more balanced than ever, which you’ll see in our top five Baltimore Ravens players heading into 2023.
Honorable Mentions:
- Patrick Queen – LB
- Marcus Williams – S
- Ronnie Stanley – LT
5. Marlon Humphrey – Cornerback
Embed from Getty ImagesAfter a down year in 2021, former All-Pro Marlon Humphrey bounced back in a big way in 2022 for Baltimore. The hard-hitting corner made the third Pro Bowl of his career and was a key reason the Ravens managed to stay afloat in the playoff race despite missing Lamar Jackson down the stretch.
Taking the hardest assignment each night, Humphrey held opposing QBs to a rating under 84 when throwing his way while allowing only three touchdowns all season. Most impressive of all was his improvement as a tackler. Humphrey only missed a single tackle the entire year, while allowing the fewest yards after catch since his 2017 All-Pro season.
Expect the three-time Pro Bowler to be the centerpiece in Baltimore’s secondary once again this year.
4. Mark Andrews – Tight End
On a team that’s lacked receiver talent over the last few years, Mark Andrews has been a much-needed safety valve to keep the offense moving. Since 2019, Andrews is averaging over 75 receptions and 930 yards per season, while leading the Ravens either in total yards or yards per game in each of those years.
Andrews did have a bit of a down year in 2022, but even an off year by his standards is 73 catches, nearly 850 yards, and a Pro Bowl appearance. Under new offensive coordinator Todd Monken, the Ravens’ passing game, and Andrews’ numbers, could see a major boost.
3. Justin Tucker – Kicker
Embed from Getty ImagesIt takes a truly special kicker to crack the top five players on an NFL roster, and Justin Tucker is certainly that.
The six-time Pro Bowler has been as steady as they come for Baltimore since he was drafted in 2012, hitting more than 90 percent of his field goals and missing a grand total of five of 418 career extra points. And it’s not just chip shots either, Tucker has an absolute cannon of a leg, drilling a league-leading 39 field goals from 50+ yards since 2016 at a mind-boggling 78 percent clip.
Tucker is the type of stable special teams presence that can be the difference between a good team and a truly great one. And, at 33, he has plenty of gas left in the tank.
2. Roquan Smith – Linebacker
A complete monster in the middle of the field, Roquan Smith made an immediate impact in Baltimore last season after a mid-year trade from the Chicago Bears.
In nine games with the Ravens in 2022, Smith dominated with six tackles, seven tackles for loss, three passes defended, two sacks, and an interception, all while being the vocal leader of a defense that allowed under 15 points per game after he arrived.
A tackle machine, Smith is one of the best sideline-to-sideline players in the NFL who makes everyone else’s job on defense easier. With a mammoth 5 year, $100 million contract locked up, the three-time All-Pro linebacker is set to anchor Baltimore’s defense for years to come.
1. Lamar Jackson – Quarterback
Embed from Getty ImagesThere is no doubt that, when healthy, Lamar Jackson is far and away the most important player on the Baltimore Ravens roster and the team has shifted their strategy to invest in him long-term (if he can stay healthy). A resilient force in the pass and run game, the 2019 MVP is about as close to a one-man offense as you can get in the NFL.
Let’s put it this way: Since 2019, Jackson has been in the top 10 in the league in both passing TDs (95) and rushing yards (3,742). His talent is undeniable, the only question is his health. The star QB has missed a combined 11 games over the past two seasons, including their 2023 wildcard loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
If Jackson can play a full season, the Ravens have a serious shot at being one of the AFC’s best teams.
Final Thoughts
With two offensive players, two defenders, and a special teamer in their top five, the Baltimore Ravens have talented players on every side of the ball in 2023. They’ve been consistently one of the AFC’s better teams over the past five years, but could this be the year where they put it all together and make a deep playoff run?
Injuries notwithstanding, this team certainly has the ability on paper to be serious contenders for a spot in the Super Bowl.
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