Ravens rookie class already living up to the hype this preseason

The Baltimore Ravens officially extended their preseason winning streak to a historic 22 games on Sunday night, and they did so on the heels of numerous impressive performances from their rookie class.

Rookie fourth-round pick Isaiah Likely was undoubtedly the star of the night finishing with eight catches for 100 yards and a touchdown in just one half of football before he was taken out of the game

Likely summed it up best when talking about his and his teammate’s performances after the game. The rookie right end insisted that he believes the Ravens have “the best rookie class” in the NFL.

While it’s still very early, Likely has a point. Given what we’ve seen through the first two preseason games, it’s hard not to be encouraged by this rookie class.

Isaiah Likely and others have led the Ravens rookie class this preseason

Likely obviously stole the show during Sunday night’s game, much as he has all summer. But his excellence shouldn’t overshadow the impressive performance from other rookies.

Cornerback Damarion Williams picked off the first pass of his career and looked stout in run defense all night. Running back Tyler Badie caught a late touchdown pass from undrafted rookie quarterback Anthony Brown.

Even punter Jordan Stout had a heck of a night and was even asked to kick an extra point late in the game. There was also Travis Jones who was generating consistent pressure prior to exiting with a knee injury.

It was a complete team effort from the Ravens’ rookie class on Sunday night, and that’s not even mentioning the team’s top three picks. Tyler Linderbaum and David Ojabo didn’t play, but rookie safety Kyle Hamilton did and he too had his moments.

Perhaps the highlight of his night came late in the second quarter when he got his hands up to deflect a Trace McSorley pass on a play that likely would have resulted in a touchdown. The Cardinals were forced to settle for a field goal.

From Likely to Badie to Pepe to Stout and everyone in between, the Ravens’ rookies showed out on Sunday. You couldn’t have asked for a better preseason outcome.