The Ravens have strong representation with nine players on the 2024 Pro Bowl roster, but they could've had a few more.
Tight end Mark Andrews, outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy, and left tackle Ronnie Stanley are all alternates with strong cases to make the team.
OLB Kyle Van Noy
Who Made It: Nik Bonitto (Broncos), T.J. Watt (Steelers), Khalil Mack (Chargers)
Not even a career year got Van Noy into his first Pro Bowl. He's tied for the fourth-most sacks in the league with a career-high 11.5. That much alone would typically put a player in the Pro Bowl.
The problem is he's tied with Steelers former Defensive Player of the Year T.J. Watt and Broncos breakout player Nick Bonitto, who both got the nod. The AFC is loaded.
The gripe is that Khalil Mack, who made the team, has almost half as many sacks (six) as Van Noy this season. Both players are 33 years old, but while Mack's sack totals dropped significantly (he had 17 sacks last season), Van Noy's production increased.
Mack does have a better Pro Football Focus (PFF) grade (90.5), which ranks as the fifth-highest in the league at his position. He has the third-best grade for run defense. Van Noy, who has played more of a specialized pass rusher role, has a PFF grade of 75.5 that ranks him 29th in the league.
But much of this is probably based off reputation. It's Mack's ninth Pro Bowl and he's another former Defensive Player of the Year (2016). Van Noy has not been to a Pro Bowl yet in his 11-year career. The two-time Super Bowl winner has been under appreciated his entire career, and this will probably only add to the chip on Van Noy's shoulder.
"I was pretty disappointed," Van Noy said. "But, you know, it's not in the cards. I've always been a team guy, but it would've been cool to get an accolade."
TE Mark Andrews
Who Made It: Brock Bowers (Raiders), Travis Kelce (Chiefs)
If scoring points is the name of the game, Andrews should no doubt be in the Pro Bowl.
Andrews leads all NFL tight ends in touchdown receptions (10) – three more than any other tight end in the AFC (Miami's Jonnu Smith). Andrews scored seven more touchdowns than Kansas City tight end Travis Kelce.
Rookie Brock Bowers set the pace at the position by a wide margin in receiving yards (1,144), followed by Smith (828) and Kelce (823) in the AFC. Andrews wasn't too far behind with 619 receiving yards.
Bowers had a monster first season, and Kelce was boosted by getting the most Pro Bowl fan votes of any player in the league (252,200). The Swifties delivered for him.
Andrews was hurt by a slow start this season in which he had six catches in the first four games. He also wasn't the clear No. 1 target in the Ravens' diversified offense, unlike Bowers and Kelce. Andrews' 51 catches rank ninth in the AFC among tight ends.
At the end of the day, Andrews has been Lamar Jackson's go-to-guy in the red zone and the leading scorer on the league's top offense. That, plus Andrews' track record, could have put him over the top.
LT Ronnie Stanley
Who Made It: Dion Dawkins (Bills), Laremy Tunsil (Texans), Rashawn Slater (Chargers)
Stanley has had a rebound season, putting him among the top blockers in his conference. The Ravens have the top rushing attack in the AFC and lead the league in yards per carry. Stanley's blocking has been a big part of that.
In pass protection, he's allowed just two sacks in 501 pass blocking attempts, per Pro Football Focus (PFF) and protected the potential MVP's blindside.
Stanley went to the Pro Bowl in 2019, and more elite offensive tackles have emerged since then, including the Chargers' Rashawn Slater. And Stanley's draft mate, Laremy Tunsil, continues to be at the top of his game in Houston. The Bills have arguably the best offensive line in football with only 14 sacks allowed, and Dawkins is its anchor at left tackle.
