When the Baltimore Ravens dominated the 2019 regular season with a 14-2 record, player health played an integral role.
While they suffered some injuries in the secondary — the midseason acquisition of Marcus Peters mitigated the impact — none of their core contributors missed significant playing time with injury or illness.
In 2020, however, they lost key contributors both to COVID-19 and to injuries.
In particular, losing Ronnie Stanley in the season’s seventh game torpedoed their offensive line play. Although Orlando Brown Jr. filled in admirably, his shift from right tackle to left tackle left a massive void the Ravens were unable to fill.
The Ravens finished the 2020 season with an11-5 record. Still a very respectable finish, but a disappointing one, nonetheless.
To reclaim their regular-season dominance, and hopefully to carry it into the playoffs, the 2021 Baltimore Ravens can’t afford to lose these four players.
4. Ronnie Stanley, LT, Baltimore Ravens
The sixth-year tackle was selected as a first-team All-Pro, as well as to the Pro Bowl, in 2019 — his last full season. He didn’t allow any sacks, and the protection he provided Lamar Jackson was a huge reason why Jackson set the all-time quarterback rushing record with 1,206 yards.
Not only did Orlando Brown’s shift to the left side weaken the right side, but Brown only posted a Pro Football Focus grade of 76.5. Although Brown’s rating was above average, it was nowhere near the 88.5 grade Stanley posted in 2019.Brown also surrendered three sacks.
Pro Football Focus ranks Stanley as the fifth-best tackle in the NFL going into the 2020 season. In both the 2019 and 2020 seasons, Stanley led the NFL in PFF’s pass-blocking grade.
With the Ravens’ focus on improving their pass game, as evidenced by their offseason acquisitions of receivers Sammy Watkins, Rashod Bateman, and Tylan Wallace, giving Lamar Jackson time to find his receivers is more critical than ever.
And, unlike last season, there’s no Orlando Brown Jr. to step in if Ronnie Stanley goes down.
3. Patrick Queen, LB, Baltimore Ravens
Let’s compare the rookie seasons of two linebackers who the Ravens drafted in their respective draft’s first round.
The first was picked 26th overall, and he racked up 110 total tackles, one interception, and 2.5 sacks. The second was picked 28th, and he logged 106 total tackles, one interception, and 3.0 sacks.
The first — Ray Lewis, a first-ballot Hall of Famer. The second — Patrick Queen.
While it’s not fair to compare Queen to Lewis — nor to suggest that Queen and Lewis are in the same stratosphere — it’s worth noting that rarely does a linebacker live up to their potential in their rookie season.
In Lewis’ second season, for example, his tackle total skyrocketed to 184, and he was voted to his first Pro Bowl. There are signs that Queen could take a similar year-two leap.
Queen was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week in Week 5 of the 2020 season. He finished third in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting. He also forced two fumbles, recovered two fumbles, and scored a touchdown.
All this while starting the season out of shape, by his own admission.
"“Coming into last year, I didn’t get spring time, couldn’t train really anywhere, so I came into the season out of shape. This year, this is a whole lot better. I get to train now, I get to see my teammates early and get the communication down and stuff. It’s only up from here.”"
Queen could be in for a big year in 2021.
2. Marlon Humphrey, CB, Baltimore Ravens
There’s a reason that, on October 1, 2020, the Ravens signed Marlon Humphrey to a five-year, $98.75 million extension.
Recently ranked as the third-best cornerback in football, his sticky coverage plays a huge role in allowing defensive coordinator Wink Martindale to send exotic blitzes at an NFL-high rate.
Humphrey, unlike many premier corners, can defend receivers both outside and in the slot. That added versatility only increases his value to the team.
When he signed his contract, Sam Monson and Brad Spielberger at PFF had the following to say about the standout cornerback.
"“The Ravens just locked up the best young cornerback in football, and one with the versatility to do whatever they need on defense, which makes everything else on that unit better.”"
The Ravens may have one of the deepest secondaries in football with the likes of Marcus Peters, Jimmy Smith, Tavon Young, and Anthony Averett also in the mix.
But Humphrey is irreplaceable — the Ravens can’t afford to lose him.
Marlon Humphrey is a beast, and his loss would devastate the Baltimore Ravens’ defense.
1. Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens
How can you replace a recent NFL MVP with a 30-7 regular-season record? The answer — you can’t. Expecially not with a sixth-rounder and an undrafted free agent (unless, of course, that sixth-rounder’s name is Tom Brady).
That said, the Baltimore Ravens appear content with their sixth-rounder (Trace McSorley) and their UDFA (Tyler Huntley). Quarterbacks coach James Urban had the following to say about them.
"“I’m very comfortable with both Trace and Tyler. They both approach it the way you have to as a backup in this league; they approach it like they’re starters. That’s how they’re working, that’s how they prepare every day. I’m very comfortable with that.”"
That said, there’s a reason neither was drafted higher than the sixth round.
In his two-year career, McSorley has completed 3-of-10 passes for 90 yards and one touchdown. Huntley has completed 3-of-5 for 15 yards. Neither has won a game.
Lamar Jackson, on the other hand, has passed for over 7,000 yards and nearly 68 touchdowns. Over the past two seasons, he’s ranked first and seventh, respectively, in total quarterback rating.
If Jackson isn’t irreplaceable, he’s pretty darn close.
If the 2021 Ravens avoid major injury issues, they have the ability to make a deep playoff run. If, on the other hand, Ronnie Stanley, Patrick Queen, Marlon Humphrey, or Lamar Jackson goes down, they could be in trouble.