Roquan Smith's rocky start to the 2025 season is starting to become truly concerning. It's easy to explain away a down game or two by claiming that he just needs time to get going, but a pattern is beginning to emerge that paints the Baltimore Ravens linebacker in a much more indicting light than before.
The former All-Pro has suddenly transitioned from a dominant force in the middle of the field to a true liability in certain situations, and the NFL's most potent offenses are learning how to take advantage.
Even before the hamstring injury that will now sideline him for a few weeks, the linebacker has struggled this year. If Smith and the Ravens don't fix this issue soon, it could become the faulty cornerstone that brings their season crumbling down.
Ravens must admit a difficult truth about Roquan Smith
For half a decade, the league's best off-ball linebackers have been in a tier of their own. Smith and Fred Warner have traded first and second-team All-Pro selections back and forth. Both players are known for operating with incredible instincts in coverage, locking down the middle of the field. Still, both are forces in the run game in their own right.
At least, that was the case before this season. Smith's level of play has dropped drastically in 2025, and the once-mighty Ravens' defense has fallen with it. Outside of a solid performance against a weak Browns' offense, the veteran linebacker has failed to be the dominant player fans are used to seeing.
In Baltimore's Week 3 loss to the Detroit Lions, the linebacker's difficulties against the run were hard to ignore. If offensive linemen were able to climb to the second level and get their hands on Smith, he could rarely shed the block. His PFF run defense grade of 26.5 in the game goes to show just how much of a liability he was.
But his coverage skills, which used to be his calling card, have taken a dip as well. Through four games, he has zero pass deflections and has allowed a passer rating of 124.3 when targeted. Those numbers don't tell the whole story, especially for linebackers, but Smith is failing to make the game-changing plays that were once regular for him.
The Ravens have allowed the second-most yards per game in the NFL this season after being an elite unit last year. The blame doesn't all fall on Smith, but his subpar play has contributed to the team's shortcomings, which have them near the bottom of the conference.