Ravens News 6/20: Strength in Numbers

Twelve Ravens Thoughts leftovers from mandatory minicamp

Luke Jones, Baltimore Positive

Reflecting on a 2023 that included a career-high nine sacks, Kyle Van Noy cited being “able to focus on pass rush that entire time” after handling multiple responsibilities at previous career stops. It’ll be interesting to see how the 33-year-old fares after a full training camp with the team.

Van Noy said he tries to keep Odafe Oweh next to him to “make sure he’s always pressing and doing the right thing” and expects him “to bounce off the charts this year.” Coming off a solid 2023, Oweh had a good spring and looked thicker in the shoulders.

Asked about Patrick Mekari, offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris said, “It’s not that he can’t start; it’s just that we see the versatility and the benefit of that opportunity” to back up multiple spots. Of course, how younger starting options look this summer will determine Mekari’s Week 1 role.

Deonte Harty was excused from mandatory minicamp due to his newborn daughter being in the hospital. You pray for the best for the Baltimore native and return specialist, who will need to hit the ground running in training camp after missing the offseason program.

Ravens stock watch: Who stood out and who didn’t at OTAs and minicamp

Brian Wacker, The Baltimore Sun

Who impressed

Trenton Simpson

Players weren’t in pads and there was no “live” contact over the past month, so it’s sometimes difficult to gauge progress for some players or positions. That wasn’t true of Simpson.

He’s added a few pounds and physically looks the part of the prototypical inside linebacker — fast, strong and able to diagnose plays quickly.

Simpson has also been lauded by coaches not just for his speed and quickness, but his football IQ. Add in the bond he has formed with All-Pro linebacker Smith — the two are visiting Spain together this summer — and it looks like the 2023 third-round draft pick will be able to slide right in without much competition to replace the departed Patrick Queen.

Who didn’t impress

Rashod Bateman

On the last day of minicamp, Bateman caught everything that came his way, from plucking one underthrown ball off his shoe tops to a nice toe-tapping sideline grab. A day earlier, though, he only received a few targets and had even fewer catches. On a couple of occasions, he wandered off on his own seemingly upset with the day’s proceedings.

Clearly, though, the Ravens believe in Bateman, signing him to a two-year extension that he was even surprised by. Jackson has also been proactive in his praise of the talented wide receiver.

Yet questions remain about the chemistry between the two, especially after Bateman caught just 32 passes in what was his first fully healthy season. Harbaugh said he expects Bateman to take a big step forward this year, which would make the Ravens’ offense that much more explosive and dynamic. But even the players’ workout schedules didn’t align at times, with Jackson in South Florida and Bateman in Owings Mills during part of OTAs and vice versa.

Of course, it’s only June.

Ravens Believe They Have Talent, Depth To Succeed In Secondary

Bo Smolka, PressBox

Strength In Numbers

The lack of cornerback depth, DeCosta said last year, is “a fast way to get beat.”

The arrival of Wiggins and Tampa, the 2023 emergence of Brandon Stephens and the return of Humphrey, Arthur Maulet, Jalyn Armour-Davis and Damarion “Pepe” Williams — along with Kyle Hamilton, the Pro Bowl, Swiss-Army-knife safety who might be at his best in the slot — give the Ravens a nice problem to have: if healthy, how to find room for all these players?

Harbaugh said he envisions Wiggins on the outside, where he can use his physicality to jam receivers at the line and his speed to stay with deep threats. Wiggins ran the fastest 40-yard time (4.28) of any cornerback at the NFL Scouting Combine this year, and DeCosta called him “a ridiculous athlete.”

Stephens moved from safety last spring and developed into one of the team’s most reliable corners. He finished with 74 tackles, 11 passes defensed and two interceptions. If Wiggins and Stephens start outside, Humphrey could slide inside to the slot, where his physicality can be an asset.

Then there’s Maulet, last year’s summertime acquisition who finished with 37 tackles, a pair of sacks and an interception as a nickel defender. Opposing quarterbacks in 2023 had a passer rating of 65.8 throwing against Maulet, according to Pro Football Reference.

“We all sleep on Arthur,” DeCosta said. “He had a heck of a season for us last year.”

2024 NFL running back unit rankings: 49ers, Dolphins lead the pack

Trevor Sikkema, PFF

4. BALTIMORE RAVENS

Even without including dual-threat quarterback Lamar Jackson, the Ravens ranked seventh in the NFL in PFF rushing grade last year. Now they throw All-Pro back Derrick Henry into the mix.

Henry trailed only Christian McCaffrey in PFF wins above average last season — 0.25 to 0.20. Keaton Mitchell is coming off a torn ACL but looked like a great RB2 before going down last year.

NFL Top 100 Players of 2024: Patrick Mahomes reigns again; Myles Garrett top defender in Prisco’s rankings

Pete Prisco, CBS Sports

16. Lamar Jackson

He won his second MVP last season, but the next step is getting his team to the Super Bowl. He has improved greatly as a passer, which should continue this season in Year 2 under OC Todd Monken. (Last season: No. 35)

36. Kyle Hamilton

He had his breakout season for a dominant Ravens defense in 2023. He can do a lot of things, which makes him so special. His versatility sets him apart from a lot of safeties in the league with his ability to rush, cover and play the run. (Last season: NR)

40. Roquan Smith

Since coming over to the Ravens in a trade from Chicago in 2022, he has become a big-time playmaker on their defense. He can really run, which shows up on tape. He’s also a good blitzer. (Last season: No. 76)

46. Justin Madubuike

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. (Last season: NR)

61. Mark Andrews

He was limited to 10 games last season because of a serious ankle injury suffered against the Bengals on a hip-drop tackle. He caught 45 passes in those games with six touchdowns. (Last season: No. 53)

91. Derrick Henry

A new team should help give him a new start. 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. (Last season: No. 30)

100. Tyler Linderbaum

In his second season, he emerged as one of the league’s best centers. He is good in both the run game and pass protection, which helps key the offense. (Last season: NR)