Justin Tucker Named Current Raven as Hall of Fame 'Lock'
With the Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrining its 2024 class, the NFL world has turned their attention to future candidates. CBS Sports' Bryan DeArdo named one player from each current roster most likely to make the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and for the Ravens, he named Justin Tucker. DeArdo called Tucker a "lock," with the only tough decision being if he should list Tucker, quarterback Lamar Jackson, or running back Derrick Henry.
"It was a tough call between Tucker, Lamar Jackson, and Derrick Henry. But Tucker's body of work put him over the top. He's a seven-time Pro Bowler and a five-time All-Pro who played a key role on Baltimore's 2012 Super Bowl win," DeArdo wrote. "On at least one occasion, Tucker has led the NFL in field goal attempts, field goal conversions, longest field goal kicked (66 yards, which is an NFL record), field goal percentage, extra points attempted, and extra points made."
Tucker has built a Hall of Fame resume. He's first in all-time field goal accuracy, a seven-time AFC Special Teams Player of the Month (most ever by a special teams player) and became the fastest kicker in NFL history to make 100 field goals (50 games) and to reach the 500-point milestone (60 games), overtaking Hall of Famer Jan Stenerud (61 games). In short, the Hall only needs Tucker to hang up his cleats and count the days until he's eligible.
Jeff Zrebiec Gives Concern Levels for Ravens' Positions
The Ravens are two weeks into training camp and the roster is beginning to round into form. Some areas are all but set (tight end, defensive line), but other groups have The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec sharing an "outsider's perspective" on level of concern.
Backup Quarterback
Level of concern: Moderate
"Veteran Josh Johnson, who has already been anointed by coach John Harbaugh as the team's No. 2 quarterback over rookie sixth-round pick Devin Leary, led the offense for much of the first week of camp when Lamar Jackson was sidelined with an illness. Johnson was in a tough spot, and Baltimore's defense didn't make it easy on him. But his performance didn't quiet the questions about whether the Ravens should make a play for free agent Ryan Tannehill or look for an upgrade elsewhere at backup quarterback."
Offensive line
Level of concern: High
"If it was just one position the Ravens had to figure out up front, the concern would range from minimal to nonexistent. Baltimore has shown an ability in recent years to plug in an unproven option and get decent production. However, there's uncertainty at three spots alongside left tackle Ronnie Stanley and center Tyler Linderbaum.
"Andrew Vorhees, a 2023 seventh-round pick who redshirted his rookie season as he rehabbed a knee injury, has established himself as the likely starting left guard. He's strong and smart and should be a quick study. But the Ravens are weighing whether to start rookie second-round pick Roger Rosengarten or veteran Patrick Mekari at right tackle, and there's even more uncertainty at right guard. Converted tackle Daniel Faalele is getting every opportunity to win the job, but he still has a lot to prove. Other contenders, including Ben Cleveland, Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu and Josh Jones, don't appear to be forcing the issue, either."
Edge rusher
Level of concern: Moderate
"This is another spot where the perceived outside concern probably exceeds the angst from the team's decision-makers. Still, the Ravens understand they'll need a few of their young edge rushers to emerge as impact players. If they don't, DeCosta will likely have to add a veteran free agent or make the position a priority before the trade deadline.
"The questions are more about quality than quantity. The Ravens lost 9 1/2 sacks from Jadeveon Clowney last season and numerous splash plays against the run. Even if Oweh takes a big step forward — and he's been in good form this summer — Baltimore still needs more juice off the edge. … Yannick Ngakoue and Carl Lawson are among the veteran edge guys still available, but the Ravens are in the process of giving their young outside linebackers the opportunity to show additional help isn't needed at the position."
Other position groups Zrebiec notes but gives a "low" level of concern are running back, wide receiver, and inside linebacker.
Odafe Oweh Listed Among Players in Best Position for Breakout Season
The Ravens' defense is all but set as they look ahead to the 2024 season. Nearly the entire defensive starting core returns after a dominant 2023, but Oweh is one player the team is counting on to elevate his game even more. Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder sees Oweh in one of the best positions for a breakout season.
"Odafe Oweh's production has been fairly consistent over the last three seasons for the Baltimore Ravens as he's racked up five, three and five sacks in those campaigns respectively," Holder wrote. "But part of what makes the outlook for this year more optimistic is he's starting to win more consistently as a pass-rusher.
"In 2023, Oweh posted a career-high 51 pressures according to Pro Football Focus. While that's not very far off from his rookie year where he logged 49, the Penn State product was much more efficient in year three as he rushed the quarterback over 100 fewer times. … So, there's plenty of reason to believe the arrow is pointing up for the 25-year-old. Hence why the organization picked up his fifth-year option during the offseason."
