Lamar Jackson Finally Cracks Top 5 in ESPN's Quarterback Rankings
It's taken a lot longer than it should have, but Lamar Jackson is starting to get the respect he deserves from NFL talent evaluators.
Jackson landed at No. 4 in ESPN's top 10 quarterback rankings, which were determined by a survey of league executives, coaches, and scouts. Despite Jackson being a two-time MVP, it's the first time he has made the top five since ESPN began doing the rankings in 2020.
Jackson, 27, was ranked as high as No. 2 and no lower than No. 5 in this year's voting. The Kansas City Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes was No. 1, followed by the Cincinnati Bengals' Joe Burrow and Buffalo Bills' Josh Allen.
"It took far too long, but NFL circles are finally giving Jackson respect as a top-tier passer," ESPN's Jeremy Fowler wrote. "He nearly snagged the No. 2 spot but got slightly outpaced by Burrow and Allen in the voting. And there's a wide gulf in the voting between the top four and the rest of the field.
"Jackson is undeniable after winning a second MVP. After five seasons as a dual-threat quarterback in Greg Roman's system, the Ravens reversed course, bringing in playcaller Todd Monken to help maximize Jackson's game from the pocket. The results: Jackson posted career highs in attempts (457), completion percentage (67.2) and yards per attempt (8.0)."
Coming off his unanimous MVP win in 2019, Jackson was No. 6 in ESPN's inaugural rankings in 2020. Jackson dropped to No. 8 in 2021 and astonishingly fell out of the top 10 in 2022 (he made honorable mention). He was No. 7 last year.
"How he came in, with everything stuck to that stigma as a runner, that sticks with you as a pro until you prove them wrong," an NFC executive said. "That's not fair but that's the way it's been with him. There wasn't any doubt who the best player in the league was last year. So, it's long been time to put that to rest."
Roquan Smith Remains in Top Two in Off-Ball Linebacker Rankings
ESPN also revealed its top 10 off-ball linebacker rankings, and Roquan Smith came in at No. 2 for the second year in a row.
Only the San Francisco 49ers' Fred Warner was ranked ahead of the 27-year-old Smith, who was either No. 1 or No. 2 on every ballot.
"Tremendous blitzer, very physical, plays with excellent power and leverage," a veteran AFC coach said. "Better run player than pass player in my opinion. But he covers a ton of ground in a hurry, great burst. Couldn't be in a better spot than Baltimore."
Smith's former teammate, Patrick Queen, who signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason, was No. 4. Queen was ranked as high as No. 3, but some voters did not have him in their top 10.
"Lack of instincts might show now that he's not playing next to Superman [Roquan Smith]," an NFC exec said.
Ray Lewis and Ed Reed Ranked Among Top 100 Athletes of 21st Century
In addition to ESPN's NFL positional rankings, the outlet also is counting down the top 100 athletes of the 21st century.
The second half of the rankings have been revealed thus far, and Ravens Hall of Famers Ray Lewis and Ed Reed made the list.
Lewis, a two-time Defensive Player of the Year and eight-time first-team All-Pro, was No. 61.
"Lewis redefined the middle linebacker position as a three-down defender who made plays from sideline to sideline," ESPN's Jamison Hensley wrote. "His ability to make teammates around him better established a storied tradition of defense in Baltimore. From 2000 to '12, the Ravens' defense ranked among the top three in the NFL in seven of the 10 seasons in which Lewis played at least six games."
Hall of Fame tight end Shannon Sharpe, Lewis' teammate on the 2000 Ravens team that won the Super Bowl, said: "Before we get to his play, Ray is the greatest leader in team sports history. No one is even close."
Reed, the 2004 Defensive Player of the Year and five-time first-team All-Pro, came in at No. 99.
"Reed was the ultimate defensive game changer of his generation,' Hensley wrote. "In 2004, he set an NFL record by returning an interception 106 yards for a touchdown against the Browns. Four years later, he broke his own record with a 107-yarder against the Eagles. Reed is the only player in NFL history to score touchdowns off a punt return, blocked punt, interception and fumble recovery."
Former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said of Reed: "You see the safety's out in the middle of the field and have a wide-open throw on the right. The next thing you know he's intercepting it. Where did he come from? It's impossible. That's what made it such a challenge. He made the impossible possible."
Two Things Pundit Hopes Ravens Did Ahead of Training Camp
The Baltimore Banner's Giana Han compiled a list of things she hopes the Ravens did leading up to training camp, which begins this weekend. Here are some excerpts:
Rookies (and Justin Tucker) hit the weight room.
"First-round pick cornerback Nate Wiggins was a slim 173 pounds at the NFL combine. He and his trainer explained that was because he was so nervous he didn't eat, and he's since gained nine pounds, according to the Ravens' roster. Wiggins is used to playing around 185, but that's light for a cornerback who will go up against some large receivers. The balance for him will be gaining strength without losing his speed, which is his calling card. Draft profiles of second-round offensive lineman Roger Rosengarten mentioned his lack of power to anchor and to burst against defensive linemen and rushers. Under the list of negatives, there are a few technique bullet points, but most circle back to his strength. If Rosengarten is going to push for a starting position, he needs to get stronger.
"An unlikely player who needs to join these guys in bulking up: kicker Justin Tucker. Although aspects of the new kickoff rules play to Tucker's strengths, such as his ability to place his kicks, others highlight a skill he's rarely needed to use. With everyone but the kicker and returner lining up across from each other, the coverage team is essentially in cover zero. That means, if the returner breaches the first line of defense, the kicker is all that's left between him and the end zone."
Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr faced Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken in "Madden."
"Orr has to figure out what his defense is. It will have similarities to Mike Macdonald's, but he needs to put his stamp on it. He also needs to learn how to call plays. As the former linebackers coach, Orr has no experience with in-game play calling at the NFL or college level. He's been practicing during drills when Coach John Harbaugh incorporates play calling. Hopefully, Orr found time to continue practicing, maybe with a friendly game of 'Madden' against his offensive coordinator."
Rashod Bateman Named Ravens' Fantasy Football Breakout Candidate
Rashod Bateman continues to generate buzz in fantasy football circles. The fourth-year wide receiver was chosen as the Ravens' fantasy breakout candidate by The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec.
"Yes, I know that the 2021 first-round pick has generated lofty breakout predictions in previous offseasons and he's never achieved fantasy relevance," Zrebiec wrote. "And it's always wise to proceed with caution when counting on Ravens wide receivers in your weekly lineup. However, Bateman had his first healthy offseason since he entered the NFL. He signed a contract extension in April, putting the persistent trade rumors to bed.
"The Ravens moved on from Odell Beckham Jr., leaving Bateman as the clear No. 2 receiver behind Zay Flowers. After hearing all offseason about how they haven't done enough to get Bateman involved, Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken and quarterback Lamar Jackson should be plenty motivated to get the ball to Bateman."
