The Baltimore Ravens have a chance to make some big things happen in 2023 if things start to break right for the team. However, they will need some big performances from players who have not been that stellar or in as big of a role as before.
Who are some players that have never made the Pro Bowl but could end up being better in 2023, leading to their first selection?
3. Is it time for the NFL media to recognize Tyler Linderbaum?
This one is pretty easy. A lot of the reason that Tyler Linderbaum did not make the Pro Bowl comes from the idea that he was a rookie, after all. The Pro Bowl is a popularity contest, and while some rookie skill players get their faces out early, the rookie center is hardly the name everyone instantly knows.
However, the first-round center who works out is usually a player that fans know as far as ten years down the line because he is still paving the way. That is what Linderbaum could become. Of course, more than that is the idea that Linderbaum struggled at times, as any rookie would, and some of his worst moments came in national spotlights.
Still, that was his rookie year, and now big things are in store for the second season of Tyler Linderbaum. He spent a year putting on muscle in an NFL weight room, and now we can see how the offseason plan looks.
Linderbaum has the potential to make some highlight-worthy blocks, especially when he can move in space, and it can remove the taste of any games last year rather quickly. If the Ravens are winning, Linderbaum has a few highlights, and the fans look to the first-rounder in year two and think he is a key reason he will get the national votes quickly.
2. Odafe Oweh needs to bounce back to make the Pro Bowl.
A lot of Baltimore Ravens were projecting Odeafe Oweh to make his first Pro Bowl last year. He was supposed to be on the same plan as Tyler Linderbaum, or at least the plan we projected in the previous slide.
Oweh had a big-time rookie year, but it fell under the radar because he was a rookie. He was primed for a big year two, but it did not go that way, and he evaded the Pro Bowl again. However, when we looked at the advanced stats, we noted that Oweh was still winning at the same rate, if not better, but the sacks were not coming.
So, if Oweh actually keeps up his progression, he could see some of the sacks he just missed on come to fruition this year, and Oweh could end up with a much better season than expected.
When you add in that Oweh may be due for more sacks to the reality that David Ojabo will be taking away some attention, there is a chance that they come together for his best year yet. The Ravens defense is relying on him, but they have the pieces around him to help him thrive. This is a great chance for Odafe Oweh to make the Pro Bowl.
1. Kyle Hamilton is on pace to make the Pro Bowl in 2023.
This is another one where we see a former first round pick start to get the media recognition. When Kyle Hamilton was a rookie, it was unclear what he would be doing exactly. The Ravens just signed Marcus Williams before the draft, and they had Chuck Clark calling plays.
First, Hamilton played just dime snaps, and then he became the slot cornerback for the stretch run into the playoffs. Now, Chuck Clark is gone, so a much bigger role is in store. Roquan Smith will be calling the plays, but it is probably better for Hamilton to ascend into the NFL.
Hamilton will be more of a box safety, but what they discovered with him in the slot is valuable as well. If he can be a hybrid of both, the general fan base will start to put him in the ranks of players such as Derwin James. Hamilton may even be getting more praise because he can do the things that James does, and he may stay healthy.
Of course, we will need to see it. Still, everything is in store for Kyle Hamilton to take off this year and put up stats while playing a lot more snaps. This can easily lead to a Pro Bowl recognition.