It is always fun to see a player break out and get recognized for his play. Nothing signifies this more than an All-Pro honor. When a player gets an All-Pro for the first time, it can feel like they finally have been solidified as an elite player. We have seen players like Ronnie Stanley, Marlon Humphrey, Lamar Jackson, and Roquan Smith earn this honor already. Who are some players who could join them this year?
3. Marcus Williams is primed to make the All-Pro for the Baltimore Ravens
When the Baltimore Ravens signed Marcus Williams, they had All-Pro expectations. However, early in the year, Williams was sidelined for six games, and that essentially ended any hope of an All-Pro season. Still, Williams ended up having an excellent season when he was on the field, and if his sample size was just a little bit bigger, he would have started to hear his name in the mix.
Beyond Williams being excellent last season, he also has reasons to think he will be better in 2023. First, he is the same defense for the second year. It was all new, and he had to come in during the middle of the season and pick things back up on the fly. Now, he has known it all for a year, and he was in all of the meeting rooms, so the language and additions to the playbook are run through him as well.
Mike MacDonald also was a college coordinator, and it looked like he found his footing as the year went on as well. Now, he may be better in year two, and putting his players in a position to take advantage and make big plays.
Lastly, the defense turned around dramatically when Roquan Smith was added. The combination of Smith making the unit stronger, Williams playing more comfortably, and MacDonald calling plays to their strength more is going to equal bigger and better plays. This, combined with a full season of health from Williams, should equal Williams in the All-Pro conversation.
2. Is Tyler Linderbaum ready to leap into the All-Pro Discussions
Over the last two years, Jason Kelce has been the first-team All-Pro at center. The question may end up being if Tyler Linderbaum can be second-team All-Pro this year because that has shuffled from Cory Linsley to Creed Humphrey behind Kelce. Ravens fans saw the Chiefs draft a center, and by his second season, he was a second-team All-Pro. The same is expected from Tyler Linderbaum.
The Baltimore Ravens' new offense with Todd Monken may end up being able to get the most out of Tyler Linderbaum; it is more space, speed, and less power. If you know Linderbaum, you know that while he is undersized, he is quicker than a wrestler and tough wrangle. When he gets out in space, offensive lineman highlights can be created. He is that good.
If the offense takes that step, and it fits Linderbaum well, and he is getting highlights he may end up getting that nod.
1. Kyle Hamilton may make the All-Pro soon for the Baltimore Ravens
While Marcus Williams is the more likely safety candidate to get his first All-Pro nod, the Ravens could easily see both of them in the mix. Marcus Williams is the deep safety and could make it by being the center fielder who creates turnovers. Kyle Hamilton can make it by stuffing the stat sheet as a jack of all trades.
He was great in the slot last season. He will now be playing more in the box as a strong safety. Still, the Ravens will be asking him to do a little of box. If fans start to see him making plays in the box and then defending slots and tight ends down the field, his stock will start to rise.
Mike MacDonald has a full year to get the most out of Hamilton. He could be a player that teams gameplan around. When you add that to the reality that he could be someone who gets tackles, and interceptions, but also forced fumbles, tackles for loss, and passes broken up. If the stat sheet is that full across the board, you cannot discount the media giving him the credit immediately.
Kyle Hamilton is more likely to make the All-Pro team further down the line, but he may start to get on the radar this year.