Lamar Jackson Is No. 1 in Chris Simms' Annual Quarterback Rankings
Despite being a two-time MVP, Lamar Jackson had never cracked the top three in NBC Sports' Chris Simms' annual quarterback rankings.
Until now, that is. Simms put Jackson at No. 1 on this year's list.
"Nobody's playing quarterback right now better than Lamar Jackson," Simms said on the "Chris Simms Unbuttoned" podcast. "He's conquered something that I've only seen a few people conquer in my whole life with his skillset. Arguably the greatest running quarterback in the history of the game, he has become unreal in the pocket [with] making decisions throwing the football."
The Buffalo Bills' Josh Allen, who edged out Jackson to win the MVP award in 2024, was No. 2. Allen was followed by the Cincinnati Bengals' Joe Burrow and the Kansas City Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes, respectively. Simms had the same quarterbacks in his top four last year, with Jackson and Mahomes switching spots.
Simms explained why he placed Jackson at No. 1 despite voting for Allen for MVP. He also admitted that he has second-guessed his MVP vote.
"[Jackson] had a better support system around him. He didn't always have to make magic happen on a week-to-week basis like Josh Allen did, so that's why I gave Josh Allen the MVP," Simms said. "But that doesn't mean [Allen] played as good a quarterback play on a week-to-week basis. Lamar Jackson is out of this world.
"He's one of those where I go back and I go, 'I don't know, did I make the right vote?' I'm not sure."
Nate Wiggins Named to PFF's All-Breakout Team
After having a strong rookie season, Nate Wiggins is a popular pick to make a leap in Year 2. Pro Football Focus is the latest outlet to recognize Wiggins, naming the former first-round cornerback to its All-Breakout Team.
"As the Ravens tweaked their secondary in the middle of 2024, Wiggins also seemed to hit his stride later in his first year. Now, the sophomore corner could make a name for himself in 2025," PFF’s Bradley Locker wrote. "From Week 7 onward, Wiggins earned a 69.4-plus PFF coverage grade in six of 12 contests. Throughout the broader season, the former Clemson Tiger ranked in the 70th percentile in both PFF coverage grade at outside cornerback (70.9) and in forced incompletion rate (12.7%).
"With Brandon Stephens now a Jet, Wiggins should net a full year of starting outside next to Marlon Humphrey and Kyle Hamilton. Given how promising the early results were for Wiggins, his potential is high, even as early as this season."
Wiggins, who has added 10 pounds to his slender 6-foot-1 frame this offseason, has set big goals for 2025.
"[I want to] get 10+ turnovers," Wiggins said on "The Lounge" podcast last week. "No matter – interceptions, forced fumbles. I feel I dropped like five, six picks last year. I feel like I owe the team some picks. This year it's all about catching the ball, looking it through."
Pundit Predicts Who Will Win Starting Left Guard Battle
Offensive Line Coach George Warhop said Tuesday that he wants to see a clear winner in the battle for starting left guard between Andrew Vorhees and Ben Cleveland.
Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay predicted Vorhees to win what he categorized as one of the NFL's five biggest position battles that will be decided in training camp.
"Although this projects to be a tight competition, Vorhees earned the coaching staff's trust last offseason and is a good bet to repeat that feat," Kay wrote. "He still needs to show he can stay healthy, but the 26-year-old should open the year as the starter if he can avoid the injury bug."
Kay contended that rookie interior offensive lineman Garrett Dellinger could be a dark horse.
"Dellinger has the potential to usurp both veterans with a standout camp," Kay wrote. "While expectations aren't too high for the rookie seventh-rounder, he proved to be a versatile talent who logged time at three different spots in the offensive trenches during his four-year stint at LSU. Most of his reps came at left guard, though, and he could continue in his natural position right away in the NFL."
Za'Darius Smith Reveals Which Team He Wants to Sign With
There's been speculation that the Ravens could be interested in reuniting with outside linebacker Za'Darius Smith, but the veteran free agent has a different destination in mind.
Smith, who was dealt to the Lions at the trade deadline last year, wants to return to Detroit.
"We both know where I want to be," Smith told USA Today’s Tyler Dragon. "Hopefully I can get back to Detroit because the coaching staff and everybody in the front office are great. When I'm there, I feel like a leader and like I can influence the young guys and do great things. Hopefully, I can get back to where I want to be in Detroit."
Smith, who turns 33 in September, had nine sacks last season with the Cleveland Browns and Lions.
A 2015 fourth-round pick, Smith spent his first four seasons with the Ravens before signing a lucrative deal with the Green Bay Packers. Smith agreed to terms to return to the Ravens in 2022, but the deal fell through, and he signed with the Minnesota Vikings.
The Ravens have depth at outside linebacker, but they could be in the market for another veteran to join Kyle Van Noy and Odafe Oweh, who combined for 22.5 sacks last season. The rest of the group is composed of young players such as Tavius Robinson, Adisa Isaac, second-round rookie Mike Green, and David Ojabo.
