Baltimore Ravens: 3 under the radar contributors from 2019 season

The Baltimore Ravens have been one of the NFL’s best teams in 2019, but the reason for their success is tied to more than just their star players’ efforts.

Everyone knows what Lamar Jackson has done. What Mark Ingram and have Mark Andrews have meant to the Baltimore Ravens success, and the all-pro play Marlon Humphrey has delivered this season. But a team doesn’t have the success the Baltimore Ravens are having because of two or three players. They’re multiple players that have played a key role in the Ravens 8-2 record and we’re going to look at the three that I feel have offered the most to the team thus far, while flying under the radar.

Willie Snead:

The Ravens run an offense that tends to neglect its receivers. 74. 74 is the number of catches Baltimore receivers have this season, combined. Jackson uses his tight ends more than any other quarterback in the NFL, and rightly so. But it can’t go by the wayside, how valuable Snead is to the machine that is the Ravens offense.

Snead has been targeted 30 times, making 21 catches (70%), for two touchdowns. Now, I know those numbers don’t jump off the page, but what if I told you 14 of those 21 receptions went for first downs? The Ravens are second in the NFL in third-down conversion rate and Snead plays a big role in that. Snead has reliable hands, protects the rock, and provides a safety blanket for Jackson.

Not only is Snead valuable on the field, but also in the locker room. Only in his fifth year himself, Snead is partnered with two rookie receivers, thrusting him into the leader role of the group. It’s not flashy but is a super valuable piece to the Ravens offensive success.

Gus Edwards:

Jackson is the lighting, Ingram is the thunder, and Edwards is the perfect mix of both. It’s no secret that the Ravens love to run the ball, evident by already surpassing 2,000-yards on the ground through only 10 games. Jackson and Ingram are the top dogs, both being on pace for 1,000-yard seasons, but Edwards provides an extra punch adding to an already dangerously, good offense.

Last season, Edwards totaled over 700-yards on the ground in 11 games. He played a large role in the offensive spin Harbaugh and co. had to make once they gave the keys to Jackson. Jackson and Edwards posed an impressive one, two punch out of the backfield. This season, Ingram is the lead back but imagine being a defense and having to tackle a bruiser like Ingram, and then seeing Edwards, who can lower his shoulder, while at the same time being able to outrun your entire defense. It’s difficult to handle and Edwards plays his role to perfection, averaging over five-yards per carry. Gus the “Bus” is just another variable to an almost impossible equation for defenses.

Chris Wormley:

While defensive tackles don’t typically get the credit they deserve (Arron Donald excluded), many good run defenses have multiple linemen that plug holes and contain backs before they get to the second level. Of course “Big Baby” Brandon Williams and Michael Pierce are the most notable on the Ravens, Wormley provides a third big body who helps completely smother the opposition’s rushing attack.

Wormley’s numbers won’t have you thinking all- pro or even pro bowl, but he gets the job done when needed. This season, Wormley has 13 tackles, 2 for a loss, and 5 quarterback hits. He hasn’t missed a tackle this season, which is impressive given the ability to make people miss by running backs in today’s game. Wormley won’t flash you with his rush moves or his ability to be a game wrecker, but he’s one of the key components that has helped revamp Baltimore’s defensive prowess during their impressive winning streak.