The Ravens are entering the second half of their season and we’ve already detailed five things to watch, picked out 15 highlights and even handed out some midseason awards.
But who is primed to take the next step in the second half?
Here are five players to keep your eye on:
So far: Jernigan entered the year with a lot of build-up considering he was stepping into the footsteps of departed Haloti Ngata. The 2014 second-round pick showed flashes of dominance during his rookie season and was slated to become a full-time starter. However, a preseason knee injury knocked him out of Week 1 action and inconsistency with his hustle and practice work ethic cost him production and snaps. He was being outshined early on by rookie third-round pick 
What’s ahead: Jernigan has gotten more pressure as the season has gone on. He began the Week 8 game against the Chargers by manhandling San Diego’s center, Chris Watt, for a sack to force a three-and-out on Philip Rivers’ first drive of the game. On Monday, Head Coach John Harbaugh said Jernigan has “really practiced well” for the past month.
Harbaugh: “He’s consistently better every single week. He’s playing with a lot of energy. He’s really flying around. We have high expectations for Timmy in the second half of the season.”
So far: Brooks has played in just five games and made seven tackles. Last year’s third-round pick made a quick return from a torn ACL suffered at the end of his rookie season, but he’s since dealt with another setback as he injured his thumb in Week 5 against Cleveland. That’s left him inactive the past three weeks.
What’s ahead: Brooks says he’s healthy and ready to get back on the field. With the Ravens struggling in their secondary, he could eventually warrant a more extended look on the back end, particularly if Baltimore doesn’t stop giving up big plays. Brooks has the talent and says Harbaugh constantly tells him he’s going to be a “great player for this organization.”
Harbaugh: “That’s another guy to watch. He’s really practicing fast. Every time he gets going, it seems like something knocks him back, injury-wise, just like it did three weeks ago. Now, last week he practiced really well. He’s a guy that has a chance. He can cover ground back there. He has good ball skills. He’s a hitter. He’s a high draft pick. He’s a guy that can really help us.”
So far: Williams entered the league with a lot of hype as analysts called him the draft’s best tight end. He even landed on some preseason Offensive Rookie of the Year watch lists. Williams has been, in some ways, outshined by fifth-round Ravens rookie tight end
What’s ahead: Harbaugh said the team’s young tight ends are going to see more action the rest of the way. With
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So far: Givens started slow after being traded with just two catches for 18 yards in his first two games as a Raven, but he’s taken off in the last two. Givens could have had a long touchdown in Arizona had
What’s ahead: Givens has been what the Ravens have lacked as an outside speed threat, and Flacco seems to be gaining more comfort with him. With Smith sidelined, Givens could step into a starting role opposite
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So far: Urban spent the first half of the year on the injured reserve – designated for return list with a torn biceps. The 2014 fourth-round pick missed his entire rookie season due to a torn ACL.
What’s ahead: If Urban can get healthy and stay healthy, he can be a force in the trenches. He’s got heavy hands and gets pushback with his huge frame and strength. Standing in at 6-foot-7, it’s difficult to throw around Urban. If he can get some batted balls, it could lead to some much-needed interceptions.
