Steelers' First-Round Pick Looks Forward to Facing Henry
Steelers first-round defensive tackle Derrick Harmon didn't hesitate when asked which player he is most excited to play against.
"Derrick Henry," Harmon said on teammate Cam Heyward's “Not Just Football” show.
Having to face Henry, who just signed a two-year contract extension, at least two times a season could have been a factor in the Steelers' decision to select Harmon with the 21st-overall pick.
Henry rushed for 413 yards (6.6 yards per carry) and three touchdowns in three games against the Steelers last season, including 186 yards (7.2 ypc) and two touchdowns in the Ravens' dominant win over Pittsburgh in the playoffs.
Derrick Henry Is No. 1 in Top 30 Players Over 30 Rankings
Speaking of Henry, he took the top spot in Pro Football Focus’ top 30 players over 30 rankings.
Considering Henry, 31, is coming off a season in which he rushed for nearly 2,000 yards, his No. 1 ranking is hardly surprising.
"Henry's age-30 season was nothing short of outstanding," PFF's Dalton Wasserman wrote. "Including the postseason, he led the NFL with a 93.5 rushing grade and forced 89 missed tackles — both league-highs. He continued to wear down defenses with 3.6 yards after contact per attempt. Until there's clear evidence of decline, Henry and Lamar Jackson will remain the NFL's most dangerous backfield duo."
Henry was ranked above players such as Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt, San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle, and Kansas City Chiefs interior defensive lineman Chris Jones.
Tight end Mark Andrews, who turns 30 the day before the Ravens' season opener, was No. 15.
"Andrews remained among the league's elite tight ends in 2024," Wasserman wrote. "Despite some postseason struggles, his 84.6 receiving grade ranked fourth at the position and was his best over the past three seasons. He also led all tight ends with 11 touchdown receptions and should continue to thrive, given Lamar Jackson's affinity for targeting his tight ends."
Joe Burrow Says Fourth Straight Primetime Game in Baltimore 'Isn't Ideal'
When the Ravens host the Bengals on Thanksgiving night in Week 13, it will be the fourth year in a row Cincinnati has played a primetime game in Baltimore.
The Bengals have lost the previous three, so it's not surprising that quarterback Joe Burrow isn't thrilled about playing another game under the bright lights at M&T Bank Stadium.
"Playing in Baltimore for the fourth straight primetime year isn't ideal," Burrow said after Tuesday's voluntary workout, via the Bengals’ website. "Maybe we can get one of those in Cincinnati next year. Please."
Like the past two years, Cincinnati will be traveling to Baltimore on a short week. The 2022 primetime meeting between the Ravens and Bengals took place on "Sunday Night Football."
Overall, the Bengals have four primetime games this season, with one at home.
"I love playing in primetime," Bengals Head Coach Zac Taylor said. "The travel part is what gets you there on the back end of those games for the next week, so you always appreciate the more home primetime games you could get which, for whatever reason, the last couple years hasn't gone our way."
The Ravens can relate, specifically regarding "Monday Night Football." Since 2008, Baltimore has only had five home "Monday Night Football" games, which is tied with Houston and Jacksonville for the fewest during that span. Baltimore will host the Detroit Lions on Monday night in Week 3.
PFF Ranks Two Quarterbacks Ahead of Jackson
The consensus is that there are four elite quarterbacks in the NFL, but how they are ranked varies.
PFF released its quarterback rankings heading into this season, and Jackson was No. 3.
"Jackson is coming off the best season of his career and one of the highest-graded quarterback campaigns in PFF history, finishing 2024 with a 94.9 overall grade," PFF’s John Kosko wrote. "The two-time NFL MVP remains the most dynamic player at the position, blending elite arm talent with unmatched rushing ability. The only lingering blemish on his résumé is his postseason record. If Jackson can translate his regular-season dominance into playoff success and capture a Super Bowl, he'll cement his place among the NFL's all-time greats."
The Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes was No. 1, followed by Burrow. The Buffalo Bills' Josh Allen, who narrowly edged out Jackson for the MVP award last season, was No. 4.
'Underrated' Nate Wiggins Has Tools to Be 'Superstar'
First-round cornerback Nate Wiggins had a strong rookie season, and Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport believes he is just scratching the surface.
Davenport named the 21-year-old Wiggins to his all-underrated team.
"It's not unusual for first-year cornerbacks to struggle in the pros, even ones taken at the very end of Round 1," Davenport wrote. "But Wiggins looked like a seasoned vet out there more often than not, allowing a passer rating against of just 66.7 and surrendering a completion percentage against of just 50 percent.
"The tools are all there for a star turn. All Wiggins has to do is continue to grow as a player and he'll be a superstar."
Malaki Starks Projected to Be Rookie Leader in Tackles, Interceptions
First-round safety Malaki Starks could be the next Ravens rookie to make an immediate impact. ESPN’s Mike Clay projected Starks to lead all rookies in tackles and be the rookie co-leader in interceptions.
Clay has Starks recording 71 tackles, 13 more than any other first-year player.
"After news about Ar'Darius Washington tearing an Achilles, Starks has a clear path to an every-down role in Baltimore next to Kyle Hamilton. That's why he's far ahead of everyone else," Clay wrote.
Clay projected Starks and Denver Broncos cornerback Jahdae Barron to be the rookie interception leaders with two.
Somewhat surprisingly, second-round edge rusher Mike Green, the FBS leader in sacks last season with 17, did not make Clay's top five in his rookie sacks leaders projections.
