The Ravens have four players on the NFL Network's Top 100 Players of 2014 list:
Terrell Suggs (No. 26), Haloti Ngata (45), Marshal Yanda (55) and Joe Flacco (58).
But there are more players that have a legitimate case to be* *on the list.
Remember, this is not a list of the best players from last season, but a projection of who will be the best in 2014.
OLB Elvis Dumervil
Two years ago, before entering the 2012 season, Dumervil was ranked No. 68 on the list. Since then, he's had 20.5 sacks. Dumervil's production has been steady every season he's been healthy. He notched 8.5 sacks last year through the first nine games. If Suggs, who had just a half sack more than Dumervil, made the list so high, why shouldn't Dumervil?
WR Torrey Smith
Smith had his biggest season yet in terms of yardage (1,128) and could be in store for more in 2014. But was beaten out by 15 receivers. All the receivers ahead of Smith did have more yardage except one, Arizona's Larry Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald, however, put up 10 touchdowns to Smith's four last season.
TE Dennis Pitta
Pitta was ranked No. 100 on the Top 100 Players of 2013 list. He suffered a major hip injury that knocked him out for 12 regular season games last year, but there's reason to believe his stock should be higher than last offseason. Back healthy and in Gary Kubiak's tight end-friendly offense, Pitta could be in for a big season.
RB Ray Rice
There's no denying that Rice had a rough 2013 season. He averaged a career-low 3.1 yards per carry, put up 660 rushing yards and scored just four touchdowns. But Rice was ranked No. 13 on the Top 100 Players of 2013 list. Now healthy, trimmer and in a run-heavy offense, Rice could be in store for a rebound in 2014.
OT Eugene Monroe
There are six offensive tackles named to the Top 100 list. According to Pro Football Focus, Monroe was the 12th-best offensive tackle in the league last year. But there's reason to believe he'll take the next step in 2014 considering it will be his first full year in Baltimore and he played better once he left Jacksonville last season.
CB Lardarius Webb
Webb was beaten out by seven cornerbacks, including Miami's Brent Grimes and Cleveland's Joe Haden. Webb had the second-most pass deflections (22) in the league last year. Webb is also a strong tackler who notched a career-high 74 stops last year. He added two interceptions, and would launch more onto the national scene with more picks.
K Justin Tucker
There aren't any kickers in the Top 100. But why not? Tucker finished sixth in the NFL in scoring with 140 points, and was named to the Pro Bowl. He won the game in Detroit with a 61-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter. Tucker made 38 of 41 field goal attempts last season and is again shooting for perfection this year.
