What Year 2 Improvements Look Like for 2024 Draft Class
The 2024 rookie class showed promise last season, from Nate Wiggins taking over as a starting cornerback to tackle Roger Rosengarten commanding the right side of the offensive line. But as members of that class get a full NFL offseason of work and prepare for their sophomore seasons, Pressbox’s Bo Smolka considers what progress in Year 2 would be.
CB Nate Wiggins
"Wiggins is a 17-game starter who plays 80 to 90 percent of the defensive snaps, as he did during the final month of his rookie season. He reaches 45 tackles — Marlon Humphrey had 37 in Year Two — 15 passes defensed and three interceptions and scores his second career touchdown."
OT Roger Rosengarten
"Rosengarten doesn't need to say he's 'a nobody' anymore, which is what he told Cleveland's Myles Garrett in a viral moment caught on video (Garrett complimented Rosengarten at the time and later sent him a signed jersey). Rosengarten again starts every game at right tackle and shows improvement as both a pass blocker and run blocker for a Ravens offense that again ranks among the best in the league."
OLB Adisa Isaac
"Hamstring injuries behind him, Issac becomes a situational impact edge presence with his former Penn State teammate, Odafe Oweh. The Ravens didn't make a splashy edge signing in free agency, so they continue to bank on players such as Isaac stepping forward. Tavius Robinson did that last season with 32 tackles and 3.5 sacks in his second season. The Ravens hope Isaac's career arc trends more like Robinson's and less like that of David Ojabo, whose career has been defined by injuries."
Zay Flowers Narrowly Misses Top 25 Under 25
Last week, Pro Football Focus released its list of top 25 players under 25 years old. While safety Kyle Hamilton made the list at No. 3, Pro Bowl wide receiver Zay Flowers missed the cut.
PFF’s Zoltán Buday decided to share who narrowly missed the cut on account of "so much emerging talent across the league." Flowers was third on the list.
"Flowers impressed as a rookie, finishing as the 30th highest-graded wide receiver, but he took a clear step forward in 2024," Buday wrote. "He finished 16th at the position with an 82.1 overall PFF grade and averaged 2.19 receiving yards per route run, tied for 17th among 125 qualifying wideouts last season. The Boston College product's value to the Ravens became even more apparent in the postseason, as Baltimore's offense felt his absence after he missed both playoff games with a knee injury suffered in the final week of the regular season."
On the field, Flowers has flourished. He's done the same in the franchise record books, too, becoming the first wideout drafted by Baltimore to be named a Pro Bowler. He also was the fastest player in franchise history to 100 career receptions (21 games) and the first in franchise history to have a 1,000-yard season in the first two years of his career.
Potential Veteran Safety Additions for Ravens
With safety Ar'Darius Washington reportedly suffering a torn Achilles, many have shared who is available on the free agent market to replace him. Some names were given during last week’s LFW, including in-house options Beau Brade and Sanoussi Kane.
But if the Ravens are looking to bring in a player, Baltimore Beatdown’s Frank Platko looked over potential veterans the Ravens could sign.
Justin Simmons
"Simmons is the most prominent big-name safety still unsigned," Platko wrote. "The former All-Pro was released by the Atlanta Falcons after just one season with the team. He's going on 32 years old and while his prime years may be in the rear view, he's still a starter-level player with a well-rounded skill set. He'd be a seamless fit in Baltimore but might have too high of a price tag for the Ravens to sign him.
Chuck Clark
"If the Ravens are looking for a familiar face to return, they could find one in signing Chuck Clark," Platko wrote. "The 30-year-old was a four-year starter for the Ravens and valuable defensive leader before being traded to the New York Jets in 2023. Clark missed the 2023 season with a torn ACL but started 12 games last season. He may not provide the same on-field impact as some other options but is a trusted veteran and could be a good mentor figure for Starks."
Jordan Whitehead
"Whitehead has started 101 of 105 games for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Jets over his seven total seasons," Platko wrote. "He's still 28 years old, too. He's been a consistent contributor for several years now and possesses positional versatility, which fits the profile of what the Ravens look for. He missed the second half of the 2024 season after suffering a torn pectoral injury but has otherwise been durable throughout his career."
