4 most important Ravens players who are not starters
By Kristen Wong
Ravens’ Player No. 2: Daelin Hayes
The tragic death of Jaylon Ferguson marked a sorrowful day for the Baltimore community. May Ferguson forever be remembered as a beloved player, teammate, and member of the Ravens Flock. Rest in peace.
As the Ravens look ahead to the 2022 season, their outside linebacker options appear thin with Odafe Oweh and Tyus Bowser touted as potential starters.
Oweh enters only his second year in the league and Bowser is returning from injury, so it’s safe to say that duo may not serve as the go-to starters on the field throughout the season.
Baltimore picked up Vince Biegel for extra depth and could still sign veteran Justin Houston, but Daelin Hayes is an interesting under-the-radar player to watch this preseason.
Injuries caused Hayes to miss most of his rookie year, and he played just four regular-season snaps in 2021. Yet in last year’s training camp, the 2021 fifth-rounder showed some impressive pass-rushing moves and proved to be one of the more effective defenders who held his own against the Ravens’ offensive tackles.
2022 presents a potential breakout year for Hayes, who currently seems to be a rawer product than teammate Odafe Oweh but nonetheless has the potential to become a dangerous and consistent threat off the edge.
The pass-rush was an area of concern for Baltimore at the beginning of the offseason and wasn’t really addressed in the draft (for the short-term, at least) or free agency. If he plays his cards right, Hayes could develop into the young face of the Ravens’ outside linebacker unit and dominate the edge this season and for many seasons to come.