Tyler Linderbaum Is No. 2 in ESPN's Free Agent Rankings, Two Other Ravens in Top 10
Tyler Linderbaum has been one of the best centers in the NFL since the Ravens selected him in the first round in 2022. The two-time Pro Bowler is in the final year of his contract, and undoubtedly will be highly sought after if he hits free agency.
ESPN placed Linderbaum at No. 2 in its ranking of the top 2026 free agents, behind only Cincinnati Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson.
"Linderbaum is considered a top-10 interior offensive lineman in the eyes of execs, coaches and scouts," ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler wrote. "That makes him an expensive option, poised to become one of the highest-paid centers."
The Ravens declined Lindernaum's fifth-year option in the spring, but General Manager Eric DeCosta made it clear the goal is to sign him to a contract extension.
"The issue is that all offensive linemen are valued alike in the fifth-year option formula, so the Ravens would have had to pay Linderbaum offensive tackle money if they picked up the option, and centers don't make as much as tackles do," ESPN’s Dan Graziano wrote.
Fowler said the Ravens have discussed an extension with Linderbaum, "but are not within striking distance on a deal." That doesn't mean a deal won't eventually be reached.
"Remember, everyone thought Ravens left tackle Ronnie Stanley was going to be a free agent last March and Baltimore signed him to an extension the day before free agency started," Graziano wrote. "Linderbaum is a tricky case, though, because of how centers are compensated. He's a critical part of their offense, but would they make him the league's highest-paid center? Currently, that title belongs to Kansas City's Creed Humphrey at $18 million per year."
Two other Ravens were ranked among the top 10 free agents: defensive tackle Travis Jones (No. 8) and tight end Isaiah Likely (No. 9).
"Multiple teams consider [Jones] the best defensive tackle to potentially be available," Fowler wrote.
"The Ravens could attempt to re-sign Jones but aren't afraid to let key players leave via free agency. One player comp from an NFC exec: Dalvin Tomlinson, who got $57 million over four years from Cleveland in 2023."
Regarding Likely, Fowler wrote: "Several team executives anticipate Likely doing very well in free agency because he can serve as a matchup problem who can separate from coverage. Part of the equation: The tight end franchise tag in 2026 is very reasonable ($15.8 million). Some people I've talked to inside the league would not be surprised if Baltimore tags him, especially with its top three tight ends hitting free agency."
Another Ridiculously Bad Take on Lamar Jackson
With all that Lamar Jackson has accomplished in his NFL career, one would think negative hot takes about him have been put to rest.
Apparently not. Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay put the two-time MVP at No. 1 in his ranking of the five most overrated quarterbacks in the league today.
Kay based the rankings on "a combination of factors, including stats, record, contract value and public perception along with the heaviest weight being placed on playoff performances and postseason record."
"Of the 10 players who have joined the multiple MVP club during the Super Bowl era, Jackson is the lone member without a Super Bowl ring," Kay wrote. "All the others — a list that includes Johnny Unitas, Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, Brett Favre, Joe Montana, Steve Young, Kurt Warner and Patrick Mahomes — were able to take their team to multiple Super Bowl appearances and won at least one."
First off, Young was the starter in one Super Bowl, so the above statement is incorrect. Second, Jackson is 28 and still in his prime. Manning didn't win the Super Bowl until he was 30. Young was 33 when he won his.
Regardless, every quarterback in the exclusive multiple-MVP club is either in the Pro Football Hall of Fame or a lock to get there in their first year of eligibility. Labeling any of them overrated, much less the most overrated, is ridiculous. Obviously.
Jackson hasn't just been great in his seven years as a starter; he's been historically great. The best dual-threat quarterback of all time, he's the leader in career passer rating as well as career and single-season rushing yards by a quarterback.
In 2024, Jackson became the first player ever to rush for more than 800 yards and pass for more than 4,000 yards in a season, as well as the first to throw 40 touchdown passes and four or fewer interceptions.
Interestingly, the Buffalo Bills' Josh Allen didn't make Kay's rankings despite never making it to the Super Bowl and having one fewer MVP award (he edged Jackson in the voting last season, even though Jackson was first-team All-Pro) and a lower winning percentage (.689) than Jackson (.730).
It's fair to say it will be disappointing if Jackson never plays in the Super Bowl, but not only is it unfair to call him overrated, it's absurd.
Mike Green Predicted to Be Ravens' Breakout Player in Second Half of the Season
Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox predicted every team's biggest breakout player for the second half of the season. For the Ravens, it's second-round outside linebacker Mike Green.
"The Baltimore Ravens defense struggled mightily early in the season, but it has played far better in the three games since the bye," Knox wrote. "So has rookie pass-rusher Mike Green, who has logged 1.5 sacks, two tackles for loss and five quarterback hits in that span.
"If Baltimore's defense continues to ascend — and the Ravens climb back into the playoff mix — Green will have a chance to emerge as a defensive star."
Green's performance in the Ravens' win over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday caught the attention of NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger, who broke down how Green impacted the game.
Veteran inside linebacker Roquan Smith spoke highly of Green when asked about him on Wednesday.
"I've got a lot of respect for Mike Green, the way he's come in, initially not a lot going on early in the season, probably wasn't getting the rushes he felt like he needed, but the guy never wavered, stayed focused," Smith said. "I've got a tremendous amount of respect for him for being a younger guy and not getting sidetracked by things that are out of his control.
"I know he's just going to continue to grow as a player and I'm excited to see it."
Malaki Starks Attributes Defense's Turnaround to Cohesiveness
Another rookie who has made an impact in recent weeks is first-round safety Malaki Starks, who has an interception in each of the past two games after having none in the first seven.
Starks appeared on NFL Network's "The Insiders" to discuss both his and the defense's ascendence.
"It's really just trusting myself and my preparation, and throughout the week, the work that we put in," Starks said. "Whenever I see something, just don't hesitate. Just let loose and go play. A lot of the experience that we have on our defense has allowed me to do that."
Starks said the biggest factor in the defense's turnaround is the cohesiveness of the unit.
"It's just really guys trusting guys to do their job, allowing guys to fly around and have fun, but also just the brotherhood and the connection that we're building on this defense," Starks said.
