Ravens Have the NFL's Top-Ranked Secondary
The Ravens finished with the 31st-ranked pass defense in 2024, but that's misleading because the unit had a massive turnaround in the second half of the season.
Talent in the secondary was never in question, and it's even more loaded this season, so much so that Pro Football Focus ranked it as the best unit in the NFL.
"The Ravens added PFF's ninth-highest-graded cornerback from a year ago, Jaire Alexander, this offseason to pair with the NFL's seventh-highest-graded cornerback, Marlon Humphrey," PFF's John Kosko wrote. "They also drafted Malaki Starks, PFF's top-ranked safety in the 2025 NFL Draft, to join the league's best safety, Kyle Hamilton. While safety Ar'Darius Washington suffered a torn Achilles tendon in May and is likely to miss the entire 2025 season, Baltimore's philosophy of drafting the best player available has given the unit tremendous depth, assuming Starks lives up to his draft status.
"Don't forget the Ravens selected Nate Wiggins in the first round of the 2024 draft and signed Chidobe Awuzie in free agency. This is a secondary that could be extremely difficult to throw against in 2025."
Among cornerbacks who played at least 50% of the coverage snaps, Wiggins had the NFL's ninth-lowest passer rating allowed (74.8), per Pro Football Focus.
Regarding Washington, who had a breakout season last year, Head Coach John Harbaugh said in May that he is expecting him to be back in November or December.
The Ravens also bolstered the secondary by hiring highly respected veteran coach Chuck Pagano as senior secondary coach.
Isaiah Likely Named Potential First-Time Pro Bowler in 2025
Tight end Isaiah Likely continues to garner buzz from pundits as a candidate to have a breakout season.
Sports Illustrated’s Conor Orr is the latest, as he included Likely among 10 possible first-time Pro Bowlers in 2025.
"Likely could end up taking the reins as TE1 for the Ravens this season," Orr wrote. "Mark Andrews only out-targeted Likely 69 to 58 last season. Now entering his age-25 season, Likely is rounding into his athletic peak, not to mention peak comfort alongside Lamar Jackson.
"Last year's tight end alternate in the Pro Bowl was Jonnu Smith, who roughly doubled Likely's statistical output. Likely had a career-high six touchdowns and could bridge the statistical gap by becoming the primary red zone option for Jackson (outside, of course, of giving the ball to Derrick Henry). Also, hopefully seeing the voting public remove post-peak Travis Kelce from an automatic spot would open up a place for Likely."
Trying to Identify Ravens' Biggest Need, Pundit Says Roster Is 'Near Faultless'
CBS Sports’ Josh Edwards identified the biggest remaining need for each AFC team. Finding one for the Ravens was a challenge.
"Baltimore's roster is near faultless," Edwards wrote. "The Ravens have done a great job of adding help at positions of need."
Edwards ultimately went with the defensive line, but noted, "The level of concern is much lower relative to other teams' situations.
"Nnamdi Madubuike is the rock of that unit, but depth has been thinning out. Older, but productive edge rusher Kyle Van Noy returns, as well as Odafe Oweh. The team selected Marshall edge rusher Mike Green in the second round after he spent months in first-round projections. There is a path where that group does not live up to specifications."
On a related note, CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin came up with one reason why each AFC North team can win the division. Regarding the Ravens, he didn't have to think too hard.
"They're still the most complete team in the North," Benjamin wrote. "Unlike the rival Steelers, the Ravens didn't make any major splashes this offseason, but that's partially because they didn't have to. Lamar Jackson has his playoff hurdles to clear, but he's still one of a select few transcendent talents at quarterback going into Year 8, boasting improved passing efficiency in back-to-back years."
If the Ravens stay healthy, Benjamin said, "It's just hard to beat their combination of talent and experience under a coach in John Harbaugh who's been there, done that."
Henry, Roquan Smith Make All-Half-Decade Team
FOX Sports’ Ben Arthur selected an all-half-decade team, and two current Ravens made it: Henry and inside linebacker Roquan Smith.
"Henry has rushed for at least 1,900 yards twice in the last five years (2020 with Titans, 2024 with Ravens), establishing himself as the preeminent bell-cow back of his era," Arthur wrote. "He may not have the pass-catching ability of other running backs in recent years, but his consistent dominance stands out at a position where the window for elite play can be so small. The former second-round pick is averaging 102.6 rushing yards per game over the last six seasons.
"Smith is also in the conversation for the best at his position. The former Bears standout has been a first-team All-Pro selection three times since he was traded to Baltimore in 2022."
