The Ravens lost quite a few players from a season ago, so they’ll be counting on a lot of young guys to step up in 2024. If you like the analysis here, consider signing up for our free newsletter to get can’t-miss NFL news and insights straight to your inbox every week.
- 2023 finish: 13-4 (first in NFC North); lost to KC in Conf. Champ.
- Over/under: 10.5 wins
Notable additions
RB Derrick Henry, WR Russell Gage, WR Deonte Harty, OT Josh Jones, DT Deadrin Senat, LB Chris Board, CB Ka’Dar Hollman, S Eddie Jackson, DC Zach Orr
Notable losses
QB Tyler Huntley, RB Gus Edwards, RB J.K. Dobbins, WR Odell Beckham Jr., WR Devin Duvernay, OT Morgan Moses, G John Simpson, G Kevin Zeitler, C Sam Mustipher, OLB Jadeveon Clowney, OLB Tyus Bowser, LB Patrick Queen, LB Del’Shawn Phillips, CB Ronald Darby, CB Rock Ya-Sin, S Geno Stone, DC Mike Macdonald
2024 draft class
CB Nate Wiggins (1.30), OT Roger Rosengarten (2.62), OLB Adisa Isaac (3.93), WR Devontez Walker (4.113), CB T.J. Tampa (4.130), RB Rasheen Ali (5.165), QB Devin Leary (6.218), C Nick Samac (7.228), S Sanoussi Kane (7.250)
Projected starters
QB: Lamar Jackson
RB: Derrick Henry
WR: Zay Flowers
WR: Rashod Bateman
WR: Nelson Agholor
TE: Mark Andrews
LT: Ronnie Stanley
LG: Andrew Vorhees
C: Tyler Linderbaum
RG: Daniel Faalele
RT: Roger Rosengarten (R)
DE: Justin Madubuike
DT: Michael Pierce
DE: Travis Jones
OLB: Odafe Oweh
ILB: Roquan Smith
ILB: Trenton Simpson
OLB: Kyle Van Noy
CB: Marlon Humphrey
S: Kyle Hamilton
S: Marcus Williams
CB: Brandon Stephens
2024 outlook
The number of players that left the Ravens compared to last year has been underdiscussed, as they’ve lost three starters on the offensive line and three key defenders—two of which have gone to a division rival (Patrick Queen to Pittsburgh and Geno Stone to Cincinnati). Still, Baltimore being one of the better drafting teams in recent years should keep them among the top teams in the AFC, and adding Derrick Henry should make them tougher to beat in January as Lamar Jackson tries to finally get over the hump in the postseason.
I’m excited to see how the offensive line comes together with the monstrous Daniel Faalele (six-foot-eight, 380 pounds) kicking inside to right guard to blast open holes for Henry, and Andrew Vorhees is set to start at left guard after a “redshirt” rookie season due to a torn ACL suffered at the 2023 NFL Combine. Being able to control the game behind King Henry will only make things easier on Jackson throwing to breakout candidates Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman—not to mention Mark Andrews, Isaiah Likely, Nelson Agholor, and others.
Defensively, the losses were mentioned, but the unit is in good shape as long as Roquan Smith is leading it. I also believe new defensive coordinator Zach Orr will do a tremendous job replacing Mike Macdonald, and the cornerback trio should be stingy with first-round pick Nate Wiggins joining Marlon Humphrey and Brandon Stephens. The concern is the edge rushers losing some production with Jadeveon Clowney gone, so Baltimore will be counting on Odafe Oweh and/or David Ojabo to emerge.
Position battle to watch: Right tackle
The right side of the offensive line is unsettled, but the aforementioned Daniel Faalele is the favorite to start at guard with Ben Cleveland getting some backup reps at center in training camp—so second-round rookie Roger Rosengarten versus Patrick Mekari is the battle to watch at right tackle. I would expect Rosengarten to earn the starting job, but it’s a good situation for the Ravens with Mekari being another versatile option to step in if someone struggles or an injury strikes.
Breakout candidate: LB Trenton Simpson
The Ravens have as many breakout candidates as any team in the league because of how many young players will suddenly be counted on for a bigger role, but Simpson is well positioned to thrive playing alongside Roquan Smith—which was instrumental in turning Patrick Queen into a star over the past couple of seasons. Last year, Queen earned a Second-Team All-Pro selection next to Smith, and Simpson is a well-rounded defender that can play the run at a high level and is comfortable in coverage.
Circle on the calendar: Week 16 (v PIT) | Saturday, December 21 – 4:30 PM ET
The Ravens and Steelers always seem to play around Christmas, and they’ll do battle a few days before the holiday for a game that should have major implications on the AFC playoff race. Over the past four years, Pittsburgh has gotten the better of Baltimore with a 7-1 record, but every game has been extremely close, so we should expect no different in 2024.
Bottom line
Despite all the subtractions from a roster that pushed the Chiefs last season in the AFC Championship Game, Baltimore could be better positioned to make a Super Bowl run with Derrick Henry joining Lamar Jackson and Roquan Smith as impact players. Consider them the team to beat in the AFC North.