Robert Griffin III Says This Is the Ravens' Best Roster for Lamar Jackson
On Sunday, Head Coach John Harbaugh said the vision for Lamar Jackson is to go down as the greatest quarterback in NFL history.
When stacking up Jackson's stats to the G.O.A.T.s, it's obvious what's missing. Championships.
Jackson's playoff performances will continue to be a major talking point, but championships are won by a team, not a player.
After the signing of two-time Pro Bowl safety Eddie Jackson on Friday, former teammate Robert Griffin III believes has the best roster around him this year to help him get his first ring.
The Ravens' firepower is backed up by the many sets of rankings coming out this time of year.
A fresh top 100 NFL players list released over the weekend, this time by Pro Football Network’s Dallas Robinson. According to Robinson and the PFN voters, the Ravens have the most Top 100 talent of any AFC team with seven players. Only the San Francisco 49ers (nine players) had more.
Claiming the No. 3 spot on PFN's Top 100 was Jackson, edged out by Kansas City Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes (No. 1) and Cleveland Browns edge rusher Myles Garrett (No. 2).
Here are the Ravens that made the cut:
3. Lamar Jackson
"Lamar Jackson became just the 11th NFL player to win multiple MVP awards after an electric 2023 campaign in which he appeared more comfortable as a passer than he had in several seasons," Robinson wrote. "He ranked third in adjusted net yards per attempt (7.34) and fourth in QBR, punctuating his outstanding season-long performance with a five-TD outing against the Miami Dolphins in Week 17. Jackson flourished as a pocket quarterback but was still a threat on the ground, finishing with 200+ more rushing yards than any other signal-caller. Among QBs, he ranked second in rushing success rate and third in rushing first downs."
Notably, third-year safety Kyle Hamilton has shot up Top 100 rankings after his impressive 2023 season. Similar to CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco list, Hamilton was the Ravens' second-highest ranked player, but PFN ranks Hamilton even higher.
27. Kyle Hamilton
"Kyle Hamilton joined Winfield as a first-team All-Pro in 2023 and displays the same sort of versatility as the Buccaneers' safety. Hamilton played 465 snaps in the slot, 301 as a free safety, and 236 in the box, contributing in just about every phase of the game. The Notre Dame product is an eraser in coverage who can keep up with all types of opposing pass catchers. But Hamilton also posted three sacks and 14 pressures despite rushing the passer fewer than 40 times."
The second middle linebacker on the PFN Top 100 is Roquan Smith; only Fred Warner (18) was ranked higher.
29. Roquan Smith
"Roquan Smith's arrival in October 2022 redefined the Baltimore Ravens' defense over the past year-plus, allowing the group to become one of the most dominant units in the NFL. He's physical in the run game and can shed blockers as well as any linebacker. Thanks to his outstanding football intelligence, Smith is also a savant at reading route combinations and disrupting passing lanes."
Even after missing seven games due to injury in 2024, tight end Mark Andrews was given high praise on the PFN Top 100; only Chiefs' Travis Kelce (21) and 49ers' George Kittle (28) ranked higher than Andrews at the position.
53. Mark Andrews
"Here's how productive Mark Andrews has been over the past five seasons: Despite missing the back half of the 2023 campaign with injuries, Andrews still ranks second among tight ends in targets (513), receptions (347), yards (4,305), first downs (231), and touchdowns (37) since 2019. Working as Jackson's de facto No. 1 receiving option in Baltimore, Andrews should be in for another dominant season in 2024."
Defensive lineman Justin Madubuike's breakout 2023 campaign rocketed him up the Top 100 charts;.He he ranked fifth among interior defensive lineman on the PFN Top 100
63. Justin Madubuike
"Generating pressure up the middle is a priority for NFL defenses, and Justin Madubuike is one of the best gap shooters in the game. He was an interior terror for the Ravens last season, setting career highs with 13 sacks and 33 QB hits."
A lot of Top 100 lists have Henry near the end of their lists with criticism of his age. He's the second running back on the PFN's list behind 49ers' running back Christian McCaffery (No. 5).
69. Derrick Henry
"While Derrick Henry has played exclusively in the AFC South, he already feels like an AFC North type of running back. He's led the league in rushing attempts four times in the last five years, including in 2023. Capable of true brute force, Henry has managed double-digit touchdowns six times and crossed 1,000 yards in five seasons. In 2020, he topped 2,000 yards, led the league in rushing TDs (17), won the NFL's Offensive Player of the Year award, and earned a first-team All-Pro nod."
The final Raven to make the cut was third-year center Tyler Linderbaum. He was the third center on the list behind Detroit Lions' Frank Ragnow (49) and Chiefs' Creed Humphrey (61).
99. Tyler Linderbaum
"The Ravens lost 60% of their starting offensive line over the offseason, making center Tyler Linderbaum all the more critical as the club considers its 2024 front-five plans. Already a strong run blocker during his 2022 rookie campaign, Linderbaum improved as a pass protector last year, helping Jackson win his second MVP. With two new guards and a rookie right tackle in the cards for Baltimore next season, Linderbaum is the glue of the team's OL."
Reactions to Signing S Eddie Jackson
The Ravens made a "Ravens-type move" ahead of training camp, signing Jackson. Pundits shared their reactions to the addition, which included a common theme of how Jackson's addition will greatly benefit Hamilton's versatility.
The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec: "Baltimore used three-safety looks often last year to take advantage of Hamilton's versatility. The All-Pro was employed in matchup situations, often against top tight ends, while also playing frequently in the slot. The addition of a No. 3 safety, one who the defensive staff trusts and who can play the deep part of the field, will allow first-year defensive coordinator Zach Orr to continue to move Hamilton around."
Baltimore Beatdown's Vasilis Lericos: "Jackson is the ideal player to fill what was the Ravens most glaring positional need before training camp. Eddie has the range to play two-high coverage and ball skills to replicate Geno Stone's takeaway production. With three capable safeties, Kyle Hamilton can confidently be deployed as the nickel defender to maximize his impact closer to the line of scrimmage. Excellent choice by general manager Eric DeCosta to fill the only position that didn't boast a quality two-deep with a proven performer of Jackson's pedigree and skillset."
Ravenswire's Glenn Erby: "Jackson's arrival could keep Kyle Hamilton closer to the line of scrimmage or in one-on-one scenarios against the opposing team's top weapons. Last season, Jackson recorded one interception and 37 tackles in 12 games as he dealt with injuries. Still, he has 15 career interceptions, 10 forced fumbles, and six fumble recoveries, making Jackson one of the top ballhawks in the league."
The Baltimore Sun's Taylor Lyons, Brian Wacker: "However, bringing in Jackson, who was released by the Bears in February to clear up $12.6 million in salary cap space, should allow the Ravens to continue to use the versatile Hamilton in several roles, including near the line of scrimmage and in the slot, where he played more snaps than at free safety last season. Jackson, meanwhile, is a more of a prototypical deep safety."
Which Raven Makes the Hall of Fame First?
With five years passing since Marshal Yanda and Terrell Suggs played their last snap in the NFL, both now can become eligible for enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The question for PFF’s Gordon McGuinness is which one receives a bronze bust first?
"The Ravens already have three first-ballot Hall-of-Fame players in Ray Lewis, Ed Reed and Jonathan Ogden," McGuinness wrote. "The next two who could potentially match that feat are offensive lineman Marshal Yanda and edge defender Terrell Suggs. Both are almost locks to join the Hall of Fame, and they will likely get consideration at the first time of asking."
It may be a tougher path for Yanda, as there are only 13 guards in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but he has the accolades and the stats to back it up. Yanda was a seven-time All-Pro and eight-time Pro Bowler. According to McGuinness, "Yanda owns the five highest-graded seasons by a guard on the team since 2008."
Suggs also has a valid case. Though he doesn't have similar personal accolades, he did earn Defensive Rookie of the Year (2003), Defensive Player of the Year (2011), two All-Pros, and seven Pro Bowls. Suggs finished his career with 244 games played and 139 sacks, ranking him No. 8 in NFL history since 1982.
