7 unsung heroes from Ravens 2024 season

Whereas the Baltimore Ravens fell in need of the Tremendous Bowl, the 2024 season nonetheless produced success. They received double-digit video games for the third straight 12 months and claimed consecutive AFC North titles for the primary time because the 2019-2020 season. They did so due to a number of of their less-heralded gamers on each side of the ball.

This text highlights the unsung heroes—the gamers whose contributions went unnoticed or weren’t lauded sufficient, but impactful.

DB Ar’Darius Washington

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After being plagued with accidents in his first three seasons within the league, the 2021 undrafted free agent performed a major position within the full 180-degree turnaround of a Ravens’ move protection that ranked useless final by the primary 10 weeks. Washington supplanted high-priced veteran Marcus Williams within the beginning lineup subsequent to two-time Professional Bowler Kyle Hamilton and by no means regarded again.

The undersized defensive again went from being a stabilizing drive to a confirmed playmaker as he broke out down the second-half stretch of the season and into the playoffs. Washington tied and set profession highs throughout the board in whole tackles (64), tackles for loss (5), interceptions (2), move deflections (8), sacks (1), quarterback hits (2) and compelled fumbles (1). Whether or not the Ravens add one other security to play a distinguished position this offseason, Washington has earned the chance to take care of a full-time position in 2025 and past.

RB Justice Hill

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The star of the Ravens backfield in 2024 was five-time Professional Bowl newcomer Derrick Henry. Nonetheless, Hill’s position because the Ravens’ spell-back helped them area the most effective two-minute and up-tempo offenses within the league. His capacity as a move protector when it got here to choosing up blitzes and aiding offensive tackles with chip assist usually went missed.

Hill’s prowess as each a harmful and dependable weapon within the passing sport on verify downs, routes downfield and screens was very important to quite a few drives being prolonged and staying on schedule. He was a pleasant change-of-pace complement to Henry within the operating sport. Though his dashing whole of 228 fell in need of his career-high whole from 2023, Hill amassed extra receiving yards than each different 12 months of his profession mixed (383) to go together with three touchdowns.

OLB Tavius Robinson

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As a rookie in 2023, Robinson carved out a job for himself on protection as an early-down edge setter in opposition to the run. In his second season, he grew to contributing towards the Ravens’ move rush as properly. Robinson greater than tripled his sack and quarterback hit totals from his first 12 months.

He appeared in each sport, made a career-high seven begins and was a staple on particular groups, taking part in 56% of the staff’s whole after being on the sector for 52% as a rookie. Each technology of the Ravens’ protection has a participant who does the soiled work and units the tone on the sting and Robinson’s assumed the mantle.

Superior surf on the choice by Tavius Robinson and slams Josh Allen to the bottom on third and quick. Glass eater and an athlete.

Robinson’s growth this offseason will probably be vital. pic.twitter.com/gNCGO4pwVs

— Spencer Schultz (@ravens4dummies) January 22, 2025

WR Tylan Wallace

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The fourth-year professional didn’t get many alternatives to contribute as a move catcher in 2024 however he made absolutely the most of them once they got here his method. Wallace set new profession highs by catching 11 of his 12 targets for 193 receiving yards and led the staff with 17.5 yards per catch. The 5 first downs he picked up got here in clutch conditions and his first profession receiving landing helped the Ravens pull inside one level of a good sport in opposition to the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 10.

ILB Malik Harrison & Chris Board

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Along with being aces on particular groups all season, the 2 veterans helped fill the void left in the course of the protection created by the departure of the 2023 Professional Bowler and Second Crew All-Professional Patrick Queen. After he defected to the Pittsburgh Steelers in free company, second-year professional Trenton Simpson was given each alternative to cement his beginning position subsequent to three-time First Crew All-Professional Roquan Smith. However beginning in Week 12, the Ravens began platooning with Harrison and Board, and finally they phased the 2023 third-rounder out of the rotation solely.

Harrison cut up his time between SAM linebacker on early downs to assist set the sting in opposition to the run and performed off-ball in apparent move downs. Mixed, they made eight begins and recorded 84 whole tackles together with 5 for a loss, 4 quarterback hits and three sacks.

I’ve been fairly a vocal supporter of Chris Board for a while, and would like to see him stick round for a short while longer!

You don’t hear a lot from him, he will get his head down and performs soccer. One of many unsung heroes of the protection! #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/bQIhWolAbt

— Nic Mason (@British_Raven19) January 27, 2025

OL Patrick Mekari

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The versatile veteran opened the season because the beginning proper deal with however was in a two-man rotation with second-round rookie Roger Rosengarten. An ankle harm suffered by second-year professional Andrew Vorhees resulted in him shifting over to play left guard. He performed so constantly properly that he didn’t relinquish the job the remainder of the season. Mekari proved he might do extra than simply fill in at one of many 5 spots if and when wanted. He stayed wholesome and began each sport, bringing consistency and continuity to a revamped blocking unit that permit three starters stroll in free company final offseason. After the season he had in 2024, Mekari is perhaps in line for a pleasant pay elevate elsewhere if the Ravens don’t make a push to re-sign him.