Ravens' Offensive Triplets Ranked Second-Best in NFL
Thanks to the addition of running back Derrick Henry, the Ravens have gone from good to great in CBS Sports’ annual rankings of each team's triplets (top quarterback-running back-wide receiver/tight end).
The Ravens' trio of quarterback Lamar Jackson, Henry, and tight end Mark Andrews came in at No. 2, behind only the Kansas City Chiefs (quarterback Patrick Mahomes, running back Isiah Pacheco, and tight end Travis Kelce).
In last year's rankings, the Ravens (Jackson, running back J.K. Dobbins, and Andrews) were No. 8.
"Henry is old for a running back (30), has carried the ball 1,529 times over the last five years, and hit a career-low of 4.2 yards per carry in 2023. But he's also a physical marvel and has not played behind a good line or with a quarterback as good as Lamar," CBS Sports' Jared Dubin wrote. "He's still the type of guy who needs only a sliver of space to devastate a defense. And Andrews is one of the best pass-catching tight ends in the league, and likely still Jackson's top target, even with the emergence of Zay Flowers."
Baltimore's "big three" on defense is elite, too. As noted in Late for Work last month, the Ravens' trio of defensive lineman Justin Madubuike, inside linebacker Roquan Smith, and safety Kyle Hamilton was first in Sports Illustrated's defensive triplets rankings.
Henry Makes Top 30 Players Over 30 Rankings
NFL.com ranked the top 30 players over 30, and Henry was the lone running back to make the list, landing at No. 16.
"On Jan. 4, Henry turned 30. Three days later, he played like someone hell-bent on making this 30 over 30 list, rumbling for 153 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries (8.1 yards per attempt) in Week 18," Tom Blair wrote. "That's the seventh-most rushing yards by a player 30 or over in one game in the past 10 seasons.
"I will allow that Henry is probably not going to sustain a 150-yard average as a tricenarian. That said, I do feel good about his chances to join a surprisingly robust lineage of 30-and-older rushing weapons that includes Walter Payton, Emmitt Smith, Barry Sanders and, more recently, Adrian Peterson and Frank Gore. Some caution is warranted over his past usage rate (2,185 career touches). Still, it's hard not to be in awe of anyone who thrives at one of the most physically demanding positions in sports at an age when many non-pro athletes begin to feel sore just after sleeping in their beds all night."
Justin Tucker, 34, received honorable mention.
Marlon Humphrey Just Misses Cracking ESPN's Top 10 Cornerback Rankings
Marlon Humphrey was the top honorable mention in ESPN's top 10 cornerback rankings, marking the first time in the five-year history of the outlet's survey of league executives, coaches, and scouts that he was outside the top 10.
"He's still one of the best, to me. He can do a little bit of everything. He hasn't made the impact plays in recent years," an NFC offensive coach said.
Humphrey, 28, was No. 6 in last year's rankings. He was No. 2 in 2021.
Veteran Free Agents Ravens Could Still Target
The Ravens have a reputation for signing quality veteran free agents at bargain prices late in the offseason.
The Baltimore Sun’s Brian Wacker identified several players who could fit the bill this year for Baltimore, which has just over $5.9 million in salary cap space, according to Over The Cap. Here's a look at three:
S Adrian Amos
"Amos visited Baltimore last offseason before signing with the New York Jets in the wake of a season-ending injury to former Ravens starter Chuck Clark. Released in December before being picked up by the Houston Texans, the Baltimore native is available again and, at age 31, would provide veteran depth behind starters Kyle Hamilton and Marcus Williams. Last year, the former Calvert Hall and Penn State standout played in 16 games (11 with the Jets, five with the Texans) and had 28 tackles while playing a role on special teams. He also signed for just over $1.1 million last season, so he would be affordable."
OLB Markus Golden
"Just three years ago, Golden had 11 sacks for the Arizona Cardinals. He spent last season with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he played behind T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith but still managed four sacks, six tackles for loss and 10 quarterback hits in 230 snaps. The nine-year veteran turned 33 in March, but he would give the Ravens another veteran presence alongside Kyle Van Noy and a solid edge setter against the run. He's also cap friendly, with the expectation that he'll sign a similar contract to the $1.3 million deal he received last season."
ILB Zach Cunningham
"Though the Ravens know what they have in All-Pro Roquan Smith and are confident in second-year inside linebacker Trenton Simpson, Cunningham, a seven-year veteran, would provide depth to a position that could use some, particularly with Simpson stepping in for the departed Patrick Queen. Cunningham, 29, spent last season with the Eagles, recording 85 tackles, four passes defended and a fumble recovery in 13 games, including 10 starts."
Quick Hits
Yesterday's Most Read: Late for Work: Pundit Says Derrick Henry Will Unlock 'God Mode' in Ravens Offense
- Swimmer Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time (and a huge Ravens fan), took the No. 1 spot in ESPN’s top 100 athletes of the 21st century rankings.
- The NFL’s YouTube channel previewed the 2024 Ravens.
- Pro Football Focus looked at the top Ravens players at each position during the PFF era.
