Jeff Zrebiec Looks at Where Ravens Are Better, Worse, or About the Same As Last Year
With the start of training camp approaching, The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec took stock of the Ravens' roster and assessed where the team has gotten better, worse, or remained about the same as last year.
Here's a look at one position from each category:
Better: Outside linebacker
"There are still question marks because it's a young group beyond Kyle Van Noy. However, it has a lot of potential, particularly if [second-round rookie] Mike Green and/or Adisa Isaac pop and Odafe Oweh takes another step. The Ravens can maintain a nice rotation that will allow them to move a guy like Tavius Robinson inside in certain looks and keep everybody fresh. Having another accomplished veteran, such as Jadeveon Clowney, would make this group look better on paper. However, it also would reduce the snaps for players Baltimore needs to develop."
Worse: Defensive line
"[Sixth-round rookie] Aeneas Peebles might develop into a quality interior guy, and John Jenkins could turn out to be a serviceable replacement for Michael Pierce. However, Ravens officials have emphasized the need to be dominant in the trenches, and they didn't do anything notable to improve here. It has the makings of a solid group, but it will need an All-Pro season from Nnamdi Madubuike and a step forward from Travis Jones to be a special one."
About the same: Offensive line
"Re-signing left tackle Ronnie Stanley on the eve of free agency was a home run for General Manager Eric DeCosta. The Ravens used three draft picks on their offensive line, and the injection of youth was necessary. The rookies are going to have to be ready to play because the Ravens may need them early if they have injuries up front. If this group is better in 2025, it will be because of the improvement of right tackle Roger Rosengarten, left guard Andrew Vorhees and right guard Daniel Faalele."
Kyle Hamilton Voted NFL's Top Safety by NFL Insiders
Another day, another accolade for Kyle Hamilton.
The two-time All-Pro was voted the No. 1 safety in the NFL in an ESPN survey of league executives, coaches, and scouts.
"In 2023, he was the only safety with at least 10 tackles for loss and 10 pass deflections. He added three sacks and four interceptions yet finished second behind Antoine Winfield Jr. in the top 10 ranking," ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler wrote. "This year, he was down significantly in each of those categories yet received more than 60% of the first-place votes. The reason is simple: His value transcends numbers."
An NFL personnel director said of Hamilton: "All-around best player: Size instincts, production, blitz ability."
As noted in Late for Work earlier this week, Hamilton was ranked as the NFL's best player under 25 by The 33rd Team and named a Defensive Player of the Year Candidate by Bleacher Report.
Jamison Hensley Says Chuck Pagano Hire Among Key Moves to Make Defense More Dominant
The Ravens had a top 10 defense last season, and they've made a concerted effort this offseason to be even better in 2025.
ESPN’s Jamison Hensley said they did so by using their first two draft picks on safety Malaki Starks and Green and signing two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jaire Alexander. Hensley also pointed to the hiring of Chuck Pagano as senior secondary coach.
"Pagano, 64, was lured out of a four-year retirement to solve one of the team's biggest puzzles," Hensley wrote. "The Ravens had one of the most talented secondary rosters last season, but Baltimore's pass defense finished second-to-last in the NFL.
"Ravens Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr said Pagano's focus is improving the technique in the defensive backfield. The Ravens gave up big plays – ones that a secondary of this caliber shouldn't – because their eyes, leverage or body position wasn't right."
Hensley noted that Orr has seen several players ask Pagano to give them one aspect of their game that needs improvement, and Pagano gave each one a detailed summary.
"Don't be fooled by his age," Orr said. "This dude has real juice and energy and knowledge. So, I'm fired up."
AFC North Is No. 2 in Division Power Rankings
The AFC North has earned a reputation as one of the best divisions in the NFL. Two years ago, all four teams in the division had a winning record, and three went to the playoffs.
In NFL.com’s Eric Edholm’s 2025 division power rankings, the AFC North came in at No. 2, behind only the NFC North (Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears).
The Ravens, who are seeking an unprecedented third consecutive AFC North title, are among the favorites to win the Super Bowl, while the Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers are regarded as playoff contenders.
"The clock is starting to tick in Baltimore, but Lamar Jackson remains in his prime and the team had a quietly solid offseason," Edholm wrote. "The question now is whether the Ravens can topple the likes of the Chiefs and Bills for AFC supremacy, but it should shock no one if they ultimately do.
"The real questions in this division are if Cincinnati can bounce back after two playoff-less seasons and whether Pittsburgh really has done enough to load up for a Super Bowl run. The Bengals are a handful offensively but figure to be bound by the limitations of the defense, with reigning NFL sack king Trey Hendrickson still in a contract dispute. Aaron Rodgers seemingly is in a much better situation now than he was with the Jets, but the Steelers still must show they're capable of not only making the playoffs but also winning their first postseason game since January of 2017."
The Cleveland Browns are coming off a 3-14 season, but two of their wins came against the Ravens and Steelers – the top two teams in the division – and their defense has the potential to be formidable.
The AFC North and NFC North battle each other this season, so we'll find out which division reigns supreme.
