Pundit Says Lamar Jackson Is NFL's Most Important Player Over Next Six Weeks
It's a given that Lamar Jackson is the Ravens' most important player. ESPN’s Dan Graziano believes Jackson is the most important player in the league over the final six weeks of the season.
"The two-time MVP has a lot to overcome in December and January, having played through knee, ankle, hamstring and toe issues this season," Graziano wrote. "He insists injuries are not affecting his play, but some around the league wonder whether he can really cut it loose in the running game because of the ailments. Baltimore ranks 21st in total offense, a shocking drop of 20 spots from last season despite playing with much of the same personnel."
After missing three games with a hamstring injury, Jackson has rushed for just 71 yards on 25 carries (2.8 average) over four games. ESPN's Mina Kimes said she's more concerned with how uncomfortable Jackson has looked throwing from inside the pocket.
"Over the last four weeks … on first reads, he's 32nd in accuracy. To put that in context, last year he was second behind only Joe Burrow," Kimes said. "It's not like Lamar Jackson has suddenly become an inaccurate pocket passer, particularly on quick throws. I suspect these things are tied together. Him knowing that he can't escape pressure the way he's accustomed to doing is clearly affecting his entire process within the pocket. Perhaps there are mechanical issues affected by the injury as well. He's just not been himself as a pocket passer."
With the Ravens sitting atop the AFC North after winning five straight games, Graziano said, "Jackson is still in position to dictate terms in the AFC."
"He has a better supporting cast than some of his quarterback counterparts, and while Jackson's teams haven't made deep playoff runs when favored, maybe the adversity helps spur a backdoor run through the postseason," Graziano wrote.
Nate Wiggins' Supreme Confidence Is Well-Founded
While the Ravens defense has gone from being one of the NFL's most porous early in the season to one of the stingiest, second-year cornerback Nate Wiggins has played well throughout.
Wiggins leads the Ravens in interceptions with three – only six players in the league have more – and passes defended with seven. His talent is undeniable, but The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec said athletic ability is only part of the equation.
"With sub-4.3 speed and a 6-foot-1 frame, a combination that's straight out of central casting for an NFL cornerback, Wiggins can make things look easy at one of the league's most challenging positions," Zrebiec wrote. "Yet, some of the reasons that the Baltimore Ravens' 2024 first-round draft pick has taken such a significant step forward in his second season lie with the things that you don't see.
"There was the work that he put in this offseason to add roughly 10 pounds to be more durable and physical. There are the hours he's spending on film study to examine his own technique and how offenses are attacking him and the Ravens' pass defense. Then, there's the trait that has never wavered since Wiggins started playing football as a 4-year-old at a local park in South Atlanta — supreme confidence in himself and the belief that he should win every matchup."
Former NFL defensive back Justin Miller, who began working with and mentoring Wiggins when he was in the eighth grade, told Zrebiec he quickly learned that Wiggins possessed the traits of an elite NFL cover cornerback.
"We took him to Miami and played in the seven-on-seven Adidas Nationals, and he was the only 15-year-old kid on our 18-and-under team," Miller said. "I put him in the game and they beat him on a go ball, and I let his ass have it on the way back. The next series, he went back out there, and he ended up getting an interception. He comes right over and starts talking s— to me. I was laughing. I was like, 'All right, cool. He's starting to embrace this position. He's understanding what it takes to be that guy and play with supreme confidence.'"
Jason McCourty Says This 'Special Stat' Defines Kyle Hamilton's Greatness
Depending on their position, defensive players are largely judged by how many sacks, interceptions, or tackles they have. However, the greatness of some players can't be measured by statistics alone.
There is no better example than safety Kyle Hamilton, whose versatility and ability to impact a game in a variety of ways make him one of one.
CBS NFL analyst Jason McCourty said that when it comes to defining Hamilton's greatness, the eyes have it.
"There's a special stat that you can look at with Kyle Hamilton, and it's called watch the game," McCourty said on “Glenn Clark Radio.” "If you turn the game on and you watch No. 14, you'll completely understand why he makes the amount of money he makes to play the game of football, and why his teammates, his coaches, and fans, and anyone who understands the game of football speak so highly of him."
