Analysis

7/29/22

6 min read

Grading Every Baltimore Ravens Position Group Going into 2022

By Jack McCarthy

Grading Ravens' Positions

The Ravens enter 2022 hoping their injuries mount as they did in 2021. 2019 MVP Lamar Jackson is poised to help lead this Ravens squad back to the playoffs but will have to do so in a talent-packed AFC North. 

The Bengals are reigning AFC Champs and the Browns sent a haul to the Texans for Deshaun Watson. The Ravens will have their work cut out for them, but this is a competitive roster capable of making noise in 2022. 

QB: Lamar Jackson, Tyler Huntley, Brett Hundley, Anthony Brown 

Grade: A

The 2019 league MVP is looking to stay healthy and get back to form in 2022 for a run at the playoffs. Jackson makes this a dynamic offense that keeps defenses on their toes at all times. He’s rushed for more than 1,000 yards in 2019 and 2020 and was on his way to doing so in 2021. 

Mark Andrews is a serious threat at tight end and will be one of Jackson’s favorite targets again this season, especially with Hollywood Brown being traded to Arizona. 

Behind Jackson, Huntley played very well in reserve. He threw for more than 1,000 yards and rushed for 294 in the seven games he played in 2021. This position group is set up well for the Ravens and will be the key to their success in 2022. 

RB: J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards, Mike Davis, Justice Hill

Grade: B

Dobbins averaged six yards per carry his rookie season in 2020 and looks poised to break out in 2021 before tearing his ACL. He comes into 2022 hoping to give the Ravens offense the same boost he did two seasons ago. Only time will tell how his knee has healed and how quickly he can return to form. 

Gus Edwards also missed last season due to a torn ACL, so his health is also concerning. Overall, this position group was decimated by injuries last season so going into 2022 health is a major factor.

WR: Rashod Bateman, Devin Duvernay, James Proche II, Tylan Wallace, Jaylon Moore, Benjimen Victor, Slade Bolden, Shemar Bridges, Trevon Clark, Makai Polk, Raleigh Webb, Devon Williams

Grade: C

Losing Hollywood Brown hurts this position group since he was Jackson’s favorite target. Bateman showed promise in the 12 games he played, and they’re hoping he can take that next step and become their number one receiver. 

Duvernay and Proche need to take a big jump and be serious contributors if the Ravens are going to make noise in the AFC. In a division with the reigning AFC champs and very good defenses in Cleveland and Pittsburgh, good receivers are a must. 

TE: Mark Andrews, Nick Boyle, Charlie Kolar, Isaiah Likely 

Grade: A-

Andrews hauled in more than 1,300 receiving yards, proving himself to be one of the NFL’s best tight ends. He will hope to replicate that success in 2022. 

Boyle is not a serious threat in the passing game but gives good help as a TE2. The Ravens took Likely out of Coastal Carolina in the fourth round and hope he can develop to be a good compliment to Andrews. When you have a position group that is headlined with one of the best in the game, you’re in a good spot. 

OL: Ronnie Stanley, Tyre Phillips, Tyler Linderbaum, Kevin Zeitler, Morgan Moses, Patrick Mekari, Ben Powers, Trystan Colon, Ben Cleveland, Daniel Faalele, Jaryd Jones-Smith, Jimmy Murray, Kahlil McKenzie, Ja’Wuan James, David Sharpe

Grade: B

Stanley headlines this group as the First Team All-Pro performer in 2019. He had season-ending surgery last October and is looking to return as the dominant tackle he was before the injury. 

The Ravens selected Linderbaum in the first round of this April’s draft, and his athletic ability should be a boost to the front line. Faalele was a fourth-round pick and is a massive body the Ravens hope can develop into a mainstay at tackle. This is a good position group with two solid tackles in Stanley and Moses and a young stud in Linderbaum. 

DL: Justin Madubuike, Michael Pierce, Calais Campbell, Travis Jones, Brent Urban, Isaiah Mack, Broderick Washington, Aaron Crawford, Rayshad Nichols

Grade: B-

Campbell is 35 and still proving to be a force on the defensive front. His sack numbers aren’t what they were in Jacksonville, but his presence is felt, and he makes an impact on each snap. 

Michael Pierce is back with Baltimore after having three sacks in eight games with Minnesota in 2021. He is a solid interior defender that fits this defense nicely. Madubuike needs to improve a lot to solidify the starting front. Overall, it’s a solid position group that plays physically. 

LB: Tyus Bowser, Josh Bynes, Patrick Queen, Odafe Oweh, David Ojabo, Malik Harrison, Kristian Welch, Justin Houston, Vince Biegel, Otaro Alaka, Zakoby McClain, Daelin Hayes, Diego Fagot, Josh Ross, Jeremiah Moon

Grade: B- 

Bowser is a quality force off the edge after having seven sacks and two forced fumbles a season ago. Bynes had a solid season in 2021, racking up 76 tackles and two sacks. Queen is a solid young linebacker that the Ravens are hoping can progress in 2022. 

Ojabo was taken in the second round of April’s draft, despite tearing his Achilles at his pro day. His timetable to return is uncertain, but he will bring a solid edge-rushing presence to this defense. Oweh played well as a rookie last year with five sacks. This is a solid position group that has multiple people who have good production. 

CB: Marcus Peters, Marlon Humphrey, Jalyn Armour-Davis, Kevon Seymour, Robert Jackson, Damarion Williams, Kyle Fuller, David Vereen

Grade: A

Peters was another key contributor who tore their ACL last year. It was a significant loss since he’s a two-time All-Pro and he’ll look to for his third All-Pro selection this season. Marlon Humphrey is another All-Pro cornerback, rounding out one of the best cornerback duos in the NFL. 

Armour-Davis was picked up in the fourth round out of Alabama and should develop to be a good depth piece behind Humphrey and Peters. 

Having a strong cornerback room is a must with the Bengals in their division. 

S: Kyle Hamilton, Marcus Williams, Chuck Clark, Brandon Stephens, Geno Stone, Ar’Darius Washington, Tony Jefferson

Grade: B+

Williams was a big signing from New Orleans this off-season as he is one of the best safeties in the game. The Ravens used their other first-round pick on Hamilton, who many had as the best overall player in the draft. 

He should plug right in at safety and make an immediate impact. The additions of Hamilton and Williams to this safety room should make them one of the better tandems in the NFL. Hamilton has room to grow, but if his tape from college is any indication, he is going to be impactful for years.

Tags: Baltimore Ravens, J.K. Dobbins, Lamar Jackson See More

Jack McCarthy

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